Our 2024–25 inquiry data offers a snapshot of what’s driving teams to rethink their sterilization strategy.
At NextBeam, we’ve seen the shift away from legacy sterilization modalities up close. As an E-Beam provider, we recognize that our perspective is shaped by the types of teams who contact us. That position, however, gives us a valuable lens into how the market is evolving.
We’ve reviewed more than 100 inbound inquiries from a wide range of industries, including medical device, pharma, and pet food & treat products. As part of our intake process, we ask structured questions about each product’s current sterilization method, whether it is a new or existing product, and what the team hopes to achieve. Common goals include resolving supply chain constraints, reducing environmental impact, meeting regulatory requirements, and preparing for future scalability.
This report summarizes those inquiries to show how many teams are exploring E-Beam for new product development, how many are actively transitioning away from legacy methods, and which modalities they are most often replacing.
New Product Evaluations vs. Existing Product Transitions
Quick Analysis: Over the past year, inbound prospects are ~50/50 split between customers seeking assistance with sterilizing a new product in E-Beam versus customers either moving from another E-Beam processing facility or out of EO/Gamma.
For those prospects that are seeking E-Beam processing for existing products, the transition by modality is shown below:
The Move Away from EO, Gamma, and Other E-Beam Providers
Interpreting the Data
There are a few points to be made here on what this data does and does not represent:
- The chart of transitioning product is representative of the number of prospects seeking to transition their product lines (typically inquiries initially come for one product line).
- This chart does not map directly to product volume or $. Typically, transitions out of EO and Gamma are under-represented from a volume standpoint, as these generally are historically more mature / larger product lines than E-Beam products.
- This data is a count of customers seeking to achieve a result – but does not necessarily reflect their success (e.g. the product may not be able to be economically processed in E-Beam, for some reason).
- These inquiries commonly come in specific to a product line, but successful qualification typically leads to more products being evaluated for E-Beam. This chart does not reflect those follow-ons.
As an E-Beam provider, our sample set will of course be biased towards those customers who are seeking E-Beam, and thus we cannot comment on transitions from EO->Gamma, or EO->novel modalities. Transitions into EO are expected to be rare given current market conditions.
How This Shapes Our Sterilization Market Outlook
Although our dataset on alternatives is obviously incomplete, we see the large amount of new product inquiries that we receive as being very positive for the continued growth of E-Beam in the marketplace. So, what do we conclude?
EO → E-Beam Transitions Are Real
When they occur, they often involve larger-scale product lines. These projects tend to take longer to qualify, depending on the product and the customer’s goals, but the underlying drivers such as regulatory shifts and environmental concerns are becoming more urgent. Compare EO & E-Beam →
Gamma → E-Beam Transitions Happen More Frequently
These customers are typically motivated by operational needs, including faster pricing, shorter turnaround times, and improved supply chain control. Pricing advantages are often part of the equation as well. Check out our radiation compatibility search →
A Signal of What’s to Come
This data does not reflect production volume or commercial outcomes, but the volume of early-stage inquiries is meaningful. Many of these products are still in development. Over time, they will grow as legacy lines are sunset, making today’s activity a strong signal of where the market is headed.
Turning Insight Into Action
If you’re evaluating sterilization options for a new product or reconsidering your reliance on EO or Gamma, you’re not alone. This data reflects a growing number of teams doing the same, whether driven by regulatory concerns, operational inefficiencies, or the need for a more scalable solution. This report is not just a snapshot of current interest. It reflects a broader shift already underway.
Early evaluation matters. Understanding what is feasible, what is scalable, and what your peers are doing can help you stay ahead of regulatory shifts and reduce long-term risk.
If you are considering E-Beam for an upcoming product or preparing for a transition, we can help. Our team supports companies at every stage of evaluation, from initial feasibility to full validation, and brings a data-informed view of what works in the real world. Book a call with a sterilization expert or simply contact us.
Additional Articles We Think You Might Like
Have a question? Speak with a sterilization expert today, at your own convenience.
