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

1. Bedre formuleringer af planteværnsmidlerAnita WengelManagerFormulation DevelopmentCheminova A/S

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 02-3 SEM picture of microcapsules

16. SEM Picture

17. 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

18. 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