The environmental and energy cost factors which have favored the growth of radiation curing are outlined, and the two techniques, ultraviolet curing and electron beam curing, are explained. Early problems with radiation-cured coatings are noted, particularly the lack of suitable equipment to apply these higher viscosity materials, the need for FDA approval to enable radiation-cured coatings to be applied to food packaging materials and the requirement to establish safe working procedures. The benefits of radiation-cured coatings are discussed, together with their applications, the equipment used to apply the coatings, and the curing equipment. Finally, comments are made on the future of radiation curing. -- AATA