Inclusive and sustainable industry, together with innovation and infrastructure, are three fundamental pillars of sustainable development. SDG 9 seeks to increase the contribution of industry to employment and GDP, doubling this contribution in the least developed countries, while increasing scientific research and modernising infrastructures to become sustainable through the adoption of clean and environmentally-rational industrial processes.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) — using gamma rays and X-rays — is vital for ensuring the safety and integrity of critical infrastructure, such as bridges, pipelines and aircraft components, without causing damage. Radiation processing is used to harden materials, cross-link polymers for better insulation and sterilise medical equipment on an industrial scale. These nuclear-based innovations drive efficiency in manufacturing and support the development of high-quality, durable infrastructure necessary for modern industrial economies while reducing the environmental footprint of traditional production methods.
