Bedre formuleringer af

planteværnsmidler

Anita WengelManager

Formulation Development

Cheminova A/S

Where do current agro trends come from and what is the future trends

• Soluble actives into SL in Water or in EC with petroleum-based solvents

• If not suitable for ECs or SL, then WP with higher concentrations

But • Increased exposure for the users,

toxicological concerns, protection of the environment, stricter regulations, Inerts lists are all drivers for SC, WG and SE emergens in the 80´s and the 90´s and granules, tablets, gels, microcapsules and nanocapsules in 2000´s

What does it mean for us?

• Minimal contact with products• More accurate placement of the a.i.• Use of safer formulations, e.g. waterbased

suspensions, emulsions, microcapsules and water dispersible granules

• Maximisation of biology effectiveness• Use of safer adjuvants (built-in or tankmix)• Choice for formulation might be restricted

Extended role of the formulator

• Optimization of manufacturing processes• Convenience for the user• Reduction dose rate of applied pesticide• Better targetting of pesticide to pest –

controled placement and release rate• Use less toxic formulation additives• Reduction of waste• Compeditive edge• Life cycle extension of current a.i.s

Identified global trends

• Multi-active ingredient formulations with built-in adjuvants – regional differentiation too

• Reformulation of ECs as solvent-free liquid formulations or dry formulations: from EC to EW, ME, SE, WG

• Dry formulations – the rising stars - From traditionnal SLs to GRs with higher concentrations a.i - Higher concentrations SCs, WGs,…• New type of formulations, e.g.multiple

emulsions, nanoemulsions and capsule suspensions

Multi-active ingredient formulations

• Combination of several herbicides or fungicide/herbicide

• Combination of glyphosate with nutrients in dry formulations: in early stages

• Compatibility challenge in higher loading formulations – need of excellent compatibility agents

• Different type of built-in-adjuvant in dry formulations

Reformulation of ECs as ECs

• Focus on above 50% active ingredient• Solvent replacement with vegetable oil,

while securing emulsion stability during storage and compatibility with vegetable oils – need of new emulsifying systems

• High flash, low volatile, low odor, low visquous emulsifying system – improved handling properties

Reformulation of ECs as EWs, MEs, SCs,WDGs and CS’s

• To get rid of flammable, petroleum-based solvent

• EW: first attemp to replace flammable solvents

• ME: more sofisticate EW, but higher cost due to higher surfactant concentration

Concentrated Emulsions - EWs

• EW is a stable concentrated oil-in-water emulsion, it’s a new water based formulation to replace EC.

• Avantages of EW.(compared with EC) - less solvent or no solvent in formulation - safer in transport and storage - reduced phytotoxicity level - lower cost - more environmental friendly

Microemulsions - ME

• A micro-emulsiom is a thermodynamically stable phase which contains at least three components, namely: a.i., water and surfactants. Often a cosurfactant is needed

• Typical characteristics: - Droplet size < 1µm - Clear or translucent liquid - Thermodynamic stability

ME – Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages - Long shelf life and good storage stability - Good application properties - Pack and equipment easy to clean - Low flammability - Bioenhancement – better uptake of a.i.• Disadvantages - Low a.i. content (below 30%) - High surfactant content = high cost - Limited suitable surfactant systems - So far, niche marked

Dry formulations – The rising stars

• From EC and WP to WG: worldwide trend• More and more actives to be formulated as

WG – higher a.i. content• Resulting benefits offset higher production

cost• Marked demand for faster wetting, better

granular breakdown, floculation reduction leads to improved dispersant/wetter system

WDG – Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages - Easy to pour and measure, ”flowables” - Essentially non-dusty - Good dispersion/solution in water Good stability at high and low temperature• Disadvantages - High initial expenditure plant - Possible higher production costs per kg - Product quality sensitive to process and raw material variations (origins)

CS – Capsule suspensions

• Opportunity for controlled/delayed/triggered release of a.i.’s – improved selectivity• Cuts down volatility – reduced pesticide loss• Reduced toxicity/odour/safer handling• Overcomes physical compatibility issues in formulation and spray tank• Gives UV protection to a.i.• For water insoluble a.i.’s usually formulated

as EC

SEM picture of microcapsules02-3

SEM Picture

Other indicators of future trends

• Nanoemulsions - Droplet size 100 to 200 nanometers vs 1 to 10 microns today - Much longer storage stability and higher bioefficacy

• Multiple emulsions: W/OW - Controlled release of water or oil soluble pesticides - Polymeris surfactant to achieve adequate stability

Conclusions

• Fewer and fewer new molecules• Maximisation of existing ones• Product differentation by formulation type, package delivery systems and target specific

delivery of pesticides• More complex formulations, more safe

formulations and mixture formulations will make progress