Sterigenics International d?veloppe sa capacit? afin de r?pondre ? la demande croissante en Allemagne et en Chine

Sterigenics International Expands Capacity to Meet Increasing Demand in Germany and China

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

LEUVEN, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2005--Sterigenics International Inc., the global leader in contract sterilization services for the medical device industry, will add significantly to its European and Asian capacity with the opening of two new facilities in Germany and China

This month, Sterigenics will commence operations at its Ethylene Oxide (EO) processing facility in Wiesbaden, Germany.

"We are especially pleased to announce the Wiesbaden facility opening this month," said Marc Markey, Sterigenics Deputy CEO.

"This is in response to the market growth in this region.

Sterigenics will use the new Wiesbaden facility to introduce its break-through CyclEOne(TM) technology to the European market.

We are experiencing significant market growth and are pleased to add the extra capacity." Designed to provide rapid turn-around, CyclEOne(TM) preconditions, processes and aerates in a single chamber in a single day, trimming 9 to 13 days from the conventional EO processing cycle.

By including Parametric Release, which removes the need for Biological Indicators, customers will be able to achieve even greater speed to market

In September, the company will celebrate the grand opening of its state-of-the-art Electron-beam (E-beam) facility in Shanghai, China

The Shanghai E-Beam facility will answer the increasing needs of manufacturers of surgical dressings, non-woven surgical drapes and gowns and simple plastic devices.

"In China we see excellent opportunities for quality processing for companies manufacturing for export markets," Mr. Markey stated

"It is exciting to grow the business with our customers in markets where we are able to add significant value," David E. Meyer, CEO of Sterigenics International stated.

"We are not a one-technology company, but truly a technology-neutral provider that uses gamma, E-beam, EO, and eventually X-ray, to best meet the needs of our customers.

Since the acquisition of Sterigenics in June 2004, our owners, PPM Capital Limited and PPM America Capital Partners, continue to support our strategic direction.

Under their ownership, we have made, and continue to make, significant investments in our business on a worldwide basis."

In both facilities, Sterigenics will offer the most advanced processing equipment as well as leading-edge environmental management technology.

Both sites will operate in full compliance with ISO and FDA requirements using the Sterigenics' worldwide quality system

About Sterigenics International

Sterigenics International is a portfolio company of PPM Capital Limited and PPM America Capital Partners LLC. Sterigenics International Inc., headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, IL, is the world leader in contract sterilization and ionization services for the medical devices, food safety and high performance/specialty materials industries.

The company has over 1,000 employees and operates 38 service centers in North America, Europe and Asia

CONTACT:

Sterigenics International Inc

Ron Peacock, +32 16 52 52 20