MDS Nordion has signed a 17-year supply agreement for cobalt-60 with Russia's Rosenergoatom, the operating utility of Russian nuclear power plants. The contract expands upon a 2005 pact by providing an increased supply of cobalt-60 until 2024. The agreement will boost MDS's supply by 30% by 2016. Cobalt-60 is used primarily to sterilize hospital medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.