
Geotech Cosmetic Formulations - Geopearl Terracotta Foundation
The Geopearl C range of synthetic Micas can be used to create an inclusive range of high shimmer foundations.
Agrochemicals are inherently products with many benefits to plant health and yields but will, through the mechanisms of their intended use, likely enter the earth or water courses. Within agricultural chemical formulations, there may be components such as thickeners, stabilisers and wetting agents which are considered microplastics or which at least, do not break down or decompose at a rate which is classified as biodegradable. It is becoming increasingly necessary to find and use more environmentally friendly alternatives due to consumer and governmental pressures.
Valida micro-fibrillated cellulose offers a solution to this as a multifunctional stabiliser which can replace synthetic stabilisers or thickeners. Not only could it offer a microplastic-free replacement, but it could also offer other interesting and valuable properties to agricultural chemical formulations.
Please read on to find out more!
Figure 1: The agrochemical industry relies on its formulation being stable enough to evenly distribute but must also meet environmental regulations and customer expectations.
Valida, produced by paper and pulp giant, Sappi is a range of naturally sourced micro-fibrillated cellulose products which are manufactured from FSC and PEFC-certified sustainable forestry. The cellulose fibres are taken and mechanically fibrillated to allow a final product with fine fibrils that can mechanically entangle and hydrogen bond.
Valida grades are produced and supplied in two main forms both of which are carried in water. The thick 8 % paste is available for applications which need a higher concentration of fibres and a more manageable 3 % gel which can be pumped into process from collapsable IBCs. Within these two forms, Valida is further characterised based on fibre length and thickness to give a range of Valida products available in both gels and pastes. A more mechanically processed and finer fibre such as in Valida S191C can be used to create a more complex fibre network for strong stabilisation. A less processed grade such as Valida L can be used for lower-cost formulations where suspension or improvement of soft settlement of fillers, for example, might be the main use case.
Figure 2: Two images of Valida. On the left 0.4 % of active Valida fibres are suspending calcium carbonate beads without assistance from any other thickener or additive. On the right, the spray pattern that can be achieved due to the thixotropic behaviour is demonstrated.
Due to the natural, renewable and sustainable origins of the cellulose used and the lack of chemical alteration, Valida is non-toxic and has achieved TUV S1350 biodegradable certification for soil and marine. This makes it an excellent choice for the formulation of agrochemicals. But what properties does it give the formulation?
Valida is a very versatile material that can be used across a high pH range and different solvents and is also compatible with different agricultural actives.
The fibres of Valida can form a 3D network that can physically trap particles and actives within its matrix. When a sheer force is presented to the network it breaks down and flows before quickly re-establishing itself again using the hydroxyl functions abundant within the make-up of cellulose as well as the physical entanglement between the fibres. These two mechanisms allow the stabilisation of actives and fillers.
For some stabilisers, high addition levels are required to achieve stabilisation at which point a thickening effect is also seen that can make suspensions unmanageable. Valida stabilises effectively at lower addition levels than are needed for thickening therefore stable agricultural suspensions can be made which remain fluid and handleable.
Stable across a pH range of 1 - 13 and towards surfactants and electrolytes, Valida can be used to stabilise and work within more complex formulations that include salts or spreading agents. For example, Valida is an excellent stabiliser choice for fertiliser formulations where controlled release may be improved and increased germination seen.
Valida works well in water-based formulations but within the agricultural industry, polar solvents such as glycols are more widely used. Valida is compatible with these polar solvents also meaning no major formulation changes are needed to see the benefits.
Most importantly though, Valida is compatible with actives such as pesticides, fungicides and herbicides allowing its use within these formulations. Furthermore, the cellulose network can give an increased surface area for the active to be dispersed onto, making it possible to improve efficacy with the same addition of active.
Valida produces a thixotropic and non-elastic viscosity profile that makes it a great choice for spray applications Although it is a good replacement for gums such as xanthan or CMC, it is not particularly comparable to them. Spray formulations based on Valida can exhibit a much more uniform spray pattern with finer atomisation, improving the surface area of the sprayed-out product. Despite these smaller droplets, Valida is also able to help reduce drift. For foliar sprays, Valida fibrillated cellulose acts as a sticker and can improve retention.
Figure 3: Valida's thixotropic behaviour allows it to be sprayed easily with a uniform spray pattern and fine atomisation.
The hydrophilic nature of Valida allows formulations to retain moisture and helps keep actives such as herbicides and pesticides from drying out as quickly. This also means that formulations stabilised with Valida can be more effective for longer in warm or windy conditions than formulations stabilised with gums.
This property has also been shown to work well in soil amendment formulations for improved grass growth. As seen in the foliar sprays and fruit sprays Valida can keep agricultural substrates wetter for longer, which helps in improving health and growth.
In cold winter conditions, Valida will preferentially hold water, and therefore ice, within the cellulose matrix protecting the plant's surface. This means frost protection is added to Valida's many additional properties.
Figure 4: Using a hydrophilic stabiliser in an agrochemical formulation, keeps the substrate wetter which can improve growth.
When diluted and allowed to dry on a tray, Valida can easily form a sheet of cellulose that gives it film-forming properties. This is useful for soil stabilisation and also as an additive to seed coatings. Valida can achieve improved dust-off, flowability and crush strength in seed coatings as well as improved early germination and growth from the seed due to the hydrophilic nature and moisture retention already discussed.
Figure 5: Valida's easy film forming and hydrophilic properties make it a good seed-coating additive that promotes early germination and growth.
Valida can be an extremely useful tool for the formulation and improvement of many different types of agricultural chemicals. As a natural, sustainable and biodegradable formulation component it can impart all of the useful properties discussed making it a very versatile tool for the agrochemicals formulator.
This article acts as an overview of the properties and benefits of Valida within the agrochemical industry. If you are interested in a more in-depth discussion about formulation procedures, addition levels and choosing a specific grade of Valida, please contact us and our technical team would be happy to advise on incorporating Valida into your specific formulation and the benefits for you or your customers.
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