Developments concerning radiation technologies' applications are discussed in the paper. The industrial irradiators based on gamma isotope and electron or X rays, accelerator driven sources are reviewed.

Present applications: polymers and rubber processing, sterilization and food irradiation are reported. Future possible developments in the field of natural polymers' processing and nanomaterials/nanomachines engineering are presented as well. The technological breakthrough achieved in the field of applications of radiation processes for environment protection illustrates new opportunities of the process utilization. This refers to the inactivation of biological warfare agents by ionizing radiation to the same extent. The economical and social aspects are shortly underlined.

Finally, the role of the Agency's programmes in promoting the above and the progress achieved is well described by this panoramic view of the status of radiation technology presented in this paper.