High-load soluble concentrate agrochemical formulations have gained relevance in the market due to their associated sustainable attributes that optimize pest control through increased transportation efficiency, and minimum volume of containers to recycle or dispose resulting in a reduced environmental impact. Development of these formulations, however, do not come without challenges such as low active ingredient solubility, high viscosity (particularly at cold temperatures), insufficient storage stability, and tank-mixing problems – particularly the formation of crystals, surface scum, gels, foam, or clumps of solid matter when formulations are diluted with hard water which may result in clogged spray nozzles or screens.  Several active ingredients have a tendency to create insoluble salts when diluted with hard water adding complexity to its use as water will need to be previously treated with conditioners. A high-load soluble concentrate case study is used to exemplify the use of an in-can crystal inhibitor system composed of a polymeric dispersing agent in conjunction with a chelating agent to assure good dilution properties over a wide range of water hardness and dilutions as well as excellent physical stability of the formulation when expose to below-freezing temperatures over long periods of time.

Overcoming water hardness challenges in tank mix dilutions of high-load soluble concentrate agrochemical formulations

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

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