Dow presents trends for the agricultural formulations segment

By combining technology, innovation, and sustainability, the company offers a broad portfolio and deep expertise  in agrochemical co-formulants solutions for In-can, tank-mix, and biological formulations.

On August 3rd and 4th, 2023, Dow will participate in the IV Workshop on Adjuvants in Phytosanitary Spraying Liquid in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.  Dow has extensive expertise in developing co-formulants solutions and will showcase the main novelties for the segment.

Dow is strengthening its presence in the agrochemical industry and enhancing its portfolio of solutions for agrochemical formulations to increase the efficiency of agricultural pesticides. This will be achieved through a combination of technology, sustainability, and biological inputs, to meet rising demand in the global market.

The Future of Agribusiness

According to Lucelena Cardoso, Manager of Research and Development in Dow's Industrial Solutions Business, the upcoming trends in the agricultural formulations sector will focus on optimizing crop performance, maximizing crop protection efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impacts.

"The Brazilian agribusiness has been growing rapidly. In May alone, agricultural exports reached a record $16.78 billion, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. That's why we at Dow are heavily investing in the development of high-performance technologies, such as super-wetting agents, penetrants, and anti-foaming agents. These solutions will provide greater protection to crops, reduce water consumption, improve nutrient absorption, and enhance pest and disease control efficiency," explains Lucelena.

Promising Innovations Ahead

Contributing to the high efficacy of field-applied solutions, Dow's new approach is based on three pillars: in-can formulations, which are surfactant solutions for various types of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and adjuvants; tank-mix, focused on developing new specific tools for adjuvants with a portfolio of specialties and silicones, using surfactant packages in the final formulation; and the biological sector, which is a global trend in the agricultural segment, aimed at developing biopesticides and increasingly renewable solutions to increase viability and compatibility with the main market strains.

Tailored solutions to address customer needs in the field

In the realm of agricultural management, Dow is helping to redefine the paradigm by focusing on both individual products, and on comprehensive applications tailored to address every need in the field. From seed treatment to grain conservation, Dow offers a holistic overview of possibilities for final pesticide formulations, adjuvants, fertilizers, and, more recently, biologics.

By understanding the diverse requirements of modern agriculture, and partnering alongside customers, Dow is committed to consistently develop novel technologies to drive the industry forward. The fusion of advanced science, cutting-edge research, and more sustainable approaches epitomizes our dedication to the well-being of both crops and the environment.

"Our strategy in segmenting our products into three major pillars is to develop solutions that meet the different needs of our customers. For example, Dow's surfactants are used in final compositions for field application to provide spreading characteristics. Additionally, we see that a type of formulation gaining ground in the market is Oil Dispersion (OD). So, this is also another focus of our innovation pipeline," says Henrique Alves, Dow's Marketing Manager for Crop Solutions.

Regarding biological solutions, Dow continues to invest in developing alternatives to non-renewable materials while maintaining a balance with the use of chemical agricultural pesticides.

"Our commitment to good practices related to our focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in Brazil includes a series of initiatives that oversee all our production processes. This ranges from reducing carbon footprint through measurement and setting goals to decrease CO2 emissions in our local production plants, such as the one in Aratu, Bahia, to investing in research and development of biological inputs. These efforts aim to meet the growing global demand for more sustainable and high-performance formulations and products," adds Lucelena.

For more information about Dow's activities in the B2B market for chemical solutions in agribusiness, visit: https://www.dow.com/en-us/market/mkt-agro-feed-animal-care/sub-agro-crop-solutions.html