Driving Sustainability in Agrochemical Formulations: IMCD’s Innovative Co-Formulant Solutions

As the agrochemical industry embraces sustainability, formulators face increasing pressure to develop environmentally friendly, high-performance crop protection solutions. At IMCD, we are committed to supporting this transition by offering a diverse portfolio of sustainable co-formulants, ranging from biodegradable dispersants and bio-based solvents to microplastic-free carriers and low-VOC alternatives. Our solutions align with evolving regulatory standards and green chemistry principles, enabling formulators worldwide to develop next-generation, eco-conscious agrochemical formulations.

Sustainable Plant Nutrition and Protection in LATAM – Roquette Solutions

IMCD’s LATAM portfolio is now enriched with Roquette’s innovative ingredients, designed to enhance nutrient uptake, improve plant resilience, and replace synthetic additives with eco-friendly alternatives. These solutions provide sustainable plant nutrition while complying with organic certifications and environmental standards.

• Solulys^® and Glutalys^® – These plant-based nitrogen sources provide slow-release nutrition that supports plant growth while enhancing soil microbiome activity. Unlike synthetic fertilizers that contribute to environmental degradation, these natural solutions maintain long-term soil health and comply with organic regulations.

  
  

• Sodium Gluconate / Gluconic Acid – A green chelating agent, offering a biodegradable alternative to EDTA for controlled mineral release. This ensures efficient nutrient delivery in the soil, aligning with sustainable farming goals.

  
  

• Dextrose and Maltodextrins (Glucidex^®) – Serving as biodegradable carriers and stabilizers, these ingredients improve active ingredient encapsulation, enhance microbial formulations, and promote plant vigor.

  
  

• Croscarmellose Sodium (Solutab^®) and Microcrystalline Cellulose (Microcel^®) – Innovative co-formulants that stabilize active ingredients in plant protection formulations, ensuring precise delivery and effective granulation.

  
  

• Glycolys^® – A natural super-disintegrant, facilitating controlled release of actives in granules, tablets, and pellets for efficient and long-lasting plant protection.

Aligning with Roquette’s research, these plant-based solutions match and even outperform synthetic alternatives in nutrient efficiency, root growth stimulation, and sustainability. 

Green & Bio-Based Solvents in EMEA – Next-Generation Alternatives

 As a leading distributor in EMEA, IMCD offers a diverse range of green and bio-based solvents to minimize environmental impact. Partnering with GF Biochemicals, Gaylord Chemical, and SABIOFUELS, we provide high-performance alternatives that balance efficacy and sustainability. Key products include:

• RE:CHEMISTRY SOLVE100 (Ethyl Levulinate): an ester solvent with 100% biogenic carbon content derived from renewable resources, specifically agricultural waste. This is readily biodegradable and has low volatility (LVP-VOC).  By utilizing agricultural waste streams, this solvent contributes to a circular and bio-based economy and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

  
  

• RE:CHEMISTRY MOVE200 (Butyl Levulinate): an ester solvent with 58% biogenic carbon content sourced from renewable feedstocks. This is readily biodegradable and has low volatility (LVP-VOC). The production process prioritizes resource efficiency and waste minimization.

  
  

• RE:CHEMISTRY CLEAN300 (Ethyl PG-Acetal Levulinate): a ketal ester solvent with 72% biogenic carbon content produced using renewable raw materials. This is ultimately biodegradable and has low volatility (LVP-VOC).  The bio-based nature provides a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional solvents″

  
  

• STM-710A (Fatty acids, C16-18 and C18-unsatd., Me esters) from SABIOFUELS Spa: STM-710A is a Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) derived from Rapeseed Oil, boasting a high C18 content (90-95%). As a bio-based solvent, it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based options. Rapeseed Methyl Esters, like STM-710A, are increasingly utilized in agrochemical formulations as solvents, and adjuvants. They can improve the efficacy of active ingredients by enhancing spreading, wetting, and penetration of pesticides on plant surfaces.

  
  

• AgXalt™ X-100 (Dimethyl Sulfoxide - DMSO): While not strictly "bio-based" in the sense of being directly derived from recently living matter, AgXalt™ X-100 is a highly purified Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) designed with a focus on user safety, performance and environmental responsibility. It is an unrestricted EPA-approved inert ingredient with full data support for use across all pre-harvest pesticide formulations. AgXalt™ X-100 offers a solvency profile comparable to NMP and other effective yet more hazardous solvents, making it a valuable tool for formulators seeking to replace problematic ingredients while meeting or exceeding key performance metrics.

Natural Rheology Modifiers & Stabilizers – CP Kelco in Americas

CP Kelco is a long-time partner for IMCD in Americas. As a leading global producer of natural gums and specialty hydrocolloid solutions, the core value of CP Kelco has always been providing premium, safe, and sustainable ingredients for food, beverage, consumer, industrial and agricultural customers. CP Kelco offers a variety of products in the following categories, diutan gums, gellan gum, MWPC, xanthan gum, carrageenan, cellulose gum, and pectin. Adding all together, CP Kelco has 332 years of experience practicing in all the above field. With all the overwhelming amount of knowledge and dedication, CP Kelco and IMCD thrive to partner with you to explore the great potential of natural gums in agriculture. 

• KELZAN Xanthan Gum line: A fermentation-derived rheology modifier that provides suspension, stabilization, and pseudoplastic flow to liquid AgChem formulations.   Xanthan gum has excellent compatibility with a wide range of ingredients, and has robust thermal, shear, and pH stability.  Its pseudoplastic rheology provides outstanding stabilization while maintaining a formulation that is easy to mix, pump, and spray.  A wide variety of KELZAN grades are available from easily dispersible grades to highly efficient or smooth flow grades, to enhanced acid-stable grades.

  
  

• KELCO-VIS DG Diutan Gum: A fermentation-derived rheology modifier with similar rheology and benefits to Xanthan gum but with unique compatibilities like high polyol compatibility and better compatibility with poly-ions and cationic ingredients.  KELCO-VIS DG diutan gum is highly efficient at providing suspension and stabilization while maintaining a rheology that mixes, pumps, and sprays easily.

  
  

• CELLULON Cellulose Liquid: A fermentation-derived suspension agent that can be used to provide suspension without adding significantly to pour viscosity.  This liquid product is ready to use and easy to disperse.  Grades of CELLULON can even be used in non-aqueous (but water-loving) concentrates as well as high solids slurries or cationic containing systems.

Biodegradable & Microplastic-Free Co-Formulants – Dow Crop Solutions in India

As part of our commitment to sustainability, IMCD INDIA proudly represents Dow Crop Solutions, offering biodegradable and microplastic-free co-formulants that enhance biological and synthetic agrochemical formulations. Dow’s POWERBLOX™ BC portfolio features biodegradable surfactants, dispersants, and film-forming agents, compliant with OMRI, and EPA regulations.

Discover our key Biodegradable Co-Formulants and Their Functions:

Surfactants for Enhanced Wetting and Emulsification

• POWERBLOX™ BC-512 (Castor Oil Ethoxylate) and POWERBLOX™ BC-630 (Alkyl Polyglucosides, APG) improve solubility and penetration of active ingredients, making them ideal for:

• Biopesticides (e.g., Bacillus-based biofungicides, mycoinsecticides)

• Herbicides (e.g., glyphosate or glufosinate-based formulations)

• Foliar biostimulants (e.g., seaweed extract-based liquid fertilizers)

Dispersing Agents for Improved Stability

• POWERBLOX™ BC-440 and POWERBLOX™ BC-412 (EO/PO Copolymers) prevent agglomeration and settling of actives, ensuring long-term stability in:

• WP – Sulfur-based fungicides, copper oxychloride-based biofungicides

• WDG– Azadirachtin-based biopesticides

• SC – Spinosad-based insecticides

• Film-Forming Agents for Rain fastness and Adhesion

• POWERBLOX™ Filmer-17 enhances retention and controlled release of actives, making it ideal for:

  
  

• Seed treatments (e.g., Trichoderma-based bio-fungicides, Rhizobium-based biofertilizers)

• Foliar-applied pesticides (e.g., neem oil-based botanical insecticides)

• Crop protection coatings to prevent runoff and degradation

Proven Compatibility with Microbial Strains

A key challenge in biological formulations is co-formulant compatibility with microbial strains. Dow’s POWERBLOX™ BC portfolio, rigorously tested using inhibition zone and luminescence methods, ensures strong microbial compatibility with key strains, including:

• Biostimulants: Pseudomonas putida, Azospirillum brasilense 

• Biocontrol Agents: Trichoderma harzianum, Beauveria bassiana 

• Rhizosphere Microbes: Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus 

These results confirm that POWERBLOX™ BC surfactants, dispersants, and film-forming agents are optimized to support microbial viability while ensuring perfect stability of the formulations.

As sustainability becomes a priority, formulators must balance performance, compliance, and environmental responsibility. IMCD supports this transition with innovative co-formulants that enhance stability, efficiency, and biodegradability in crop protection and plant nutrition. We can help formulators to replace non-biodegradable inerts, reduce VOCs, and improve active delivery.

About IMCD

IMCD is a leading global distributor and formulator of specialty chemicals and ingredients, offering a wide portfolio of inerts, seed coatings, polymers, and biostimulants. Our solutions enhance formulation performance, stability, and delivery efficiency, enabling safer, more sustainable agrochemical products. By replacing non-biodegradable or hazardous inerts, we help formulators develop high-performance, eco-friendly solutions for plant nutrition and crop protection.

Collaborate with IMCD to drive innovation and sustainability in agrochemical formulations.

Find out more: https://www.imcdgroup.com/

This article will be published in the magazine of 2025  Formulation&Adjuvant Technology. Follow this magazine to read more articles/stories.

If you'd like to share your company story/solution or have any promotion demands/advertise in this magazine and AgroPages, please contact Grace Yuan: grace@agropages.com