Moving towards solvent-free products

The company is currently developing ‘Ecozome’ technology, which will see a move away from organic solvent-based to water-based formulations for use in agriculture.

Dow AgroSciences-developed technology is already in use in other industries and Ecozome formulations of specialist products, such as the insecticide spinosad, used in high value crops, are already in use in some markets.

According to the company’s agronomy leader, Stuart Jackson (pictured), the technology means operators would be working with products with a lower hazard rating, compared to current products. Switching from solvent to water-based formulations may also make product registration easier in future, he said.

“In the longer term it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep registrations where products have got organic solvents.

Removal

“We are interested in getting to a situation where we remove as many solvents across our formulations as possible,” he said.

The company hopes the herbicide Starane XL (florasulam+ fluroxypyr) will be the first Dow AgroSciences product to benefit from Ecozome technology in the UK, but a new formulation would require the herbicide to repeat the Chemicals Regulation Directorate approval process and gain re-registration for use in this country.

The new technology opens up the possibility for formulations containing a higher loading of active ingredient by way of higher rates of active ingredient per litre and lower dose rates, said Mr Jackson. Ecozome technology will not be suitable for all products, he added.

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