Global Cobalt-60 Source Market 2025 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2031

According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Cobalt-60 Source market size was valued at US$ 332 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 477 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.4% during review period.
In this report, we will assess the current U.S. tariff framework alongside international policy adaptations, analyzing their effects on competitive market structures, regional economic dynamics, and supply chain resilience.
Cobalt 60 sources are produced by exposing stable cobalt-59 to neutron radiation, typically in a nuclear reactor, to create the radioactive isotope cobalt-60. Cobalt-60 emits high-energy gamma rays (with energies of 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV), making it a crucial radiation source for applications in medical therapy, industrial radiography, food irradiation, and materials modification. In the healthcare sector, cobalt-60 is widely used for external beam radiotherapy in cancer treatment (e.g., gamma knife procedures). Industrially, it is applied for nondestructive testing (NDT), sterilization of medical supplies, and material aging simulations. Cobalt-60 sources are commonly manufactured as pellets, rods, or disks and are securely encapsulated in stainless steel or similar materials to ensure radiation safety during handling and use.
In recent years, the cobalt-60 source market has demonstrated steady growth, driven by increasing demands across healthcare, industrial, and food safety sectors.The healthcare sector remains the largest application field for cobalt-60, particularly in developing countries where cobalt-based radiotherapy devices, such as gamma knives, continue to be widely utilized due to their affordability and reliability. In regions with limited healthcare infrastructure, cobalt-60 external beam therapy remains a cost-effective cancer treatment solution, ensuring steady demand.
Industrial applications also contribute significantly to market stability. Cobalt-60 is extensively used for nondestructive testing (NDT) of welds and pipelines, as well as for sterilization of medical equipment and packaging materials. The increasing pace of industrialization, particularly in emerging economies, and ongoing infrastructure development projects (e.g., oil and gas pipelines, power transmission systems) are boosting demand for industrial radiography using cobalt-60. Meanwhile, food irradiation, an emerging sector, is gaining traction globally due to tightening food safety regulations. Cobalt-60 irradiation helps eliminate pathogens, prolong shelf life, and reduce spoilage, offering a compelling value proposition for food manufacturers.
From a supply chain perspective, cobalt-60 production is highly concentrated among a few key players, including BWXT (Canada), Rosatom (Russia), and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). As production requires nuclear reactors and operates under stringent regulatory oversight, market entry barriers remain high, enhancing the bargaining power of established suppliers. However, this concentration also introduces supply chain vulnerabilities—any reactor shutdowns, geopolitical tensions, or regulatory changes could significantly impact availability and pricing.
Geographically, North America and Europe have traditionally been the largest markets for cobalt-60, primarily for healthcare and industrial applications. However, the Asia-Pacific region, especially China and India, is showing faster growth driven by improvements in healthcare infrastructure and adoption of industrial quality assurance standards. Initiatives by international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) promoting food irradiation are further expanding the global application landscape for cobalt-60 sources.
Looking ahead, the increasing adoption of linear accelerators (LINACs) in radiotherapy could pose some competitive pressure on cobalt-60 applications in healthcare. LINACs offer certain technological advantages, such as higher beam precision and reduced long-term radioactive waste. Nevertheless, due to cost considerations and technological accessibility, cobalt-60 will likely retain a strong presence in lower and middle-income countries for the foreseeable future. Moreover, emerging applications in agriculture, environment monitoring, and industrial material testing could open new growth avenues for cobalt-60 radioactive sources.
In conclusion, the cobalt-60 radioactive source market is expected to maintain stable growth over the near term, while long-term prospects will depend on technological shifts, regulatory dynamics, supply chain resilience, and the successful development of new application areas.
This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis for global Cobalt-60 Source market. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are presented by manufacturers, by region & country, by Type and by Application. As the market is constantly changing, this report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2025, are provided.
Key Features:
Global Cobalt-60 Source market size and forecasts, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Ton), and average selling prices (US$/Ton), 2020-2031
Global Cobalt-60 Source market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Ton), and average selling prices (US$/Ton), 2020-2031
Global Cobalt-60 Source market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Ton), and average selling prices (US$/Ton), 2020-2031
Global Cobalt-60 Source market shares of main players, shipments in revenue ($ Million), sales quantity (Ton), and ASP (US$/Ton), 2020-2025
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Cobalt-60 Source
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Cobalt-60 Source market based on the following parameters - company overview, sales quantity, revenue, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include Nordion, China National Nuclear Corporation, Rosatom, Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen, Polatom, NTP, DIOXITEK, etc.
This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.
Market Segmentation
Cobalt-60 Source market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2020-2031, the growth among segments provides accurate calculations and forecasts for consumption value by Type, and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.
Market segment by Type
High Specific Activity Cobalt-60
General Cobalt-60
Market segment by Application
Medical
Industrial
Others
Major players covered
Nordion
China National Nuclear Corporation
Rosatom
Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen
Polatom
NTP
DIOXITEK
Market segment by region, regional analysis covers
North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)
Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe)
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia)
South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America)
Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)
The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Cobalt-60 Source product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.
Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Cobalt-60 Source, with price, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of Cobalt-60 Source from 2020 to 2025.
Chapter 3, the Cobalt-60 Source competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.
Chapter 4, the Cobalt-60 Source breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value, and growth by regions, from 2020 to 2031.
Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and by Application, with sales market share and growth rate by Type, by Application, from 2020 to 2031.
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value, and market share for key countries in the world, from 2020 to 2025.and Cobalt-60 Source market forecast, by regions, by Type, and by Application, with sales and revenue, from 2026 to 2031.
Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, and Porters Five Forces analysis.
Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Cobalt-60 Source.
Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Cobalt-60 Source sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.