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Sterilizing packaging of delivered products – controlled, contact-free, reliable

oxytec germ barriers for the safe disinfection of cartons, crates, and packaged goods when entering hygiene zones

Packaged goods brought into hygiene-critical areas from outside pose a significant germ risk. The outer packaging—whether cardboard, film, pallet, or box—is usually not sterile and is often contaminated with germs, spores, viruses, or dust. Controlled hygiene locks are now state of the art, especially at entrances to clean rooms, production lines, or food zones.

Oxytec germ locks can be used to reliably disinfect packaging and transport containers from the outside—dry, chemical-free, and without leaving any residue. The ideal solution for companies that want to make product safety, quality, and hygiene certifiable.

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Typical entry situations and surface contamination

entry point Load potential Special features
Goods receipt / temporary storage Bacteria, yeast, fungal spores, dust, pollen Outer packaging made of cardboard, foil, or plastic
Personnel and goods transfer Contact surfaces, respiratory germs, packaging abrasion No direct product protection, susceptible to contamination
Repackaging / shipped goods Ambient air, handling germs, dirt particles Third-party goods from other manufacturers or wholesalers
Pallet inflow Dust, transport contamination, organic residues Fluctuating surfaces, uncontrolled surface load

Why is it necessary to sterilize packaging?

Hygiene requirements in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics production are constantly increasing

Outer packaging can introduce germs, viruses, or contaminants

Auditors and certifiers require controlled airlock processes

Product quality, shelf life, and complaint rates are directly linked to surface hygiene

Clean rooms and HACCP zones must be microbiologically controllable

Legal requirements and standards

  • IFS Food / BRC Global Standard / FSSC 22000: Requirements for structural and organizational separation zones
  • HACCP risk assessment: Identifying and controlling sources of contamination
  • DIN EN ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom classes) – ventilation requirements
  • Validatability and reproducibility of the disinfecting effect

oxytec supplies documentable, audit-compliant systems – with proof of effectiveness and germ reduction protocol on request.

Get advice now – for germ-free packaging when entering hygienically sensitive areas

Would you like to prevent packaged goods from introducing germs or foreign substances into your production?

Contact us—we will plan your individual solution for disinfecting imported packaging.

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Oxytec solutions for disinfecting packaged products

Germ barriers with UV-C technology

Intense UV-C radiation to destroy microorganisms on packaging surfaces

Effective against: bacteria, viruses (including SARS-CoV-2), spores, yeasts

Contactless and residue-free, even with irregular packaging

Cycle time depending on surface area and material: a few seconds to minutes

Air-conditioned sterilization chambers to maintain the cold chain

Brought-in products can also be sterilized in larger rooms, which can be equipped with trolleys, for example. With the appropriate safety technology, UV-C irradiation can be supplemented by the even more effective use of UV ozone.

Advantages:

  • Clear separation of the sterilized and non-sterilized areas
  • More space
  • Prevention of recontamination after UV treatment

Can be combined with roller door, light barrier, or belt conveyor

Fully automatic integration into conveyor systems or logistics processes

Integration into material locks, transfer stations, intermediate zones

Optional with access control, logging, and traffic light control

Typical areas of application

  • Food production (meat, delicatessen, dairy, baked goods)
  • Pharmaceutical and medical technology (sterile areas, clean room transitions)
  • Cosmetics, supplement, and hygiene product manufacturing
  • Packaging logistics for sensitive batches
  • Access zones with low-germ conditions according to IFS / BRC / HACCP

Your advantages with Oxytec germ barriers

  • Disinfection of packaged products without residues
  • Safe germ reduction on cardboard, foil, plastic, and wood
  • Dry, contact-free treatment without chemicals
  • Fully integrable into your logistics or hygiene chain
  • Validatable, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient
  • Suitable for all IFS/BRC/HACCP-based systems

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Which surfaces can be treated with the system?

The Oxytec system is suitable for:

  • Cardboard packaging and corrugated cardboard
  • Plastic crates, Euroboxes, reusable containers
  • Film packaging, strapping, stretch film
  • Pallets, containers, cardboard stacks

The type of material is irrelevant—UV-C is effective on any surface, provided it is directly exposed to the radiation.

How does germ reduction with UV-C work?
  • The UV-C lamps (254 nm) used destroy the DNA/RNA of microorganisms
  • Effective against: bacteria, viruses, yeasts, spores
  • The process is dry, residue-free, and without chemical additives
  • Depending on the distance and surface geometry, the treatment takes 5–60 seconds

The effect is scientifically validated and documentable.

How effective is the germ reduction?

In practice, typical cycle times achieve:

  • 3–5 log-level reduction on smooth surfaces
  •  99.9% germ reduction, depending on the type of germ and packaging
  • If necessary, the airlock can perform multiple doses of irradiation

We can optionally provide proof of effectiveness, germ tests, and validation protocols.

Can products be damaged in the process?

No – the process is:

  • non-contact and dry
  • no temperature development
  • uncritical for packaging and labels
    Printing inks, labels, and viewing windows also remain unchanged – no sticking, no fading.

Can the lock be integrated into our logistics processes?

Yes – Oxytec germ locks are:
• modular and conveyor belt compatible
• available with roller shutter, light barriers, belt control, or RFID
• optional with access control and logging
Ideal as part of goods locks, intermediate zones, picking stations, or at transfer points to clean rooms.

What happens with shaded areas or irregular packaging?
  • The airlocks are equipped with multi-sided UV-C lamp arrays
  • Optional reflectors and recirculating air ducts ensure good surface illumination
  • For particularly complex packaging, the goods can be rotated or passed through twice
  • The system is suitable for a wide range of geometries, including pallets or stacked cartons.

Is the system maintenance-intensive?

No – Clean UV requires little maintenance:

  • UV lamps last approx. 8,000–10,000 hours
  • Filters (for air flow) are easily accessible and washable
  • The devices only require regular maintenance 1–2 times per year
  • We offer optional maintenance contracts, remote monitoring, and lamp monitoring.

Does the solution meet the requirements of IFS, BRC, or HACCP?

Yes – the systems are:

  • validatable and reproducible in their effect
  • audit-compliant and documentable
  • compatible with hygiene lock concepts according to IFS Food, BRC Global Standard, or FSSC 22000
  • We provide validation documents, risk assessments, and effectiveness reports upon request.