Exclusive Interview with Pilarquim: Building an International High-End Formulation Brand with Nano-formulation Technology

Date:01-08-2025

In the current field of crop protection, nano-pesticides, with their characteristics of green and sustainable development, are gradually becoming a core area of global attention. 

China's momentum in the nano-formulation sector is strong, especially in the technology of pesticide formulations. Chinese scientists' research achievements and commercialization process are leading globally.

     

Pilarquim, as a leader among the innovative forces in the formulation industry, has not only made pioneering breakthroughs in the research and application of nano-pesticide technology but also holds a significant position in the global pesticide formulation market. Its pioneering microcapsule formulation technology "PILARCORE" and the groundbreaking nano-pesticide technology "PILARNANO" have not only brought tangible value to users but also propelled the technological upgrade of the entire industry.

In this interview, we invited Mu Canxian, Chairman of Pilarquim, to delve into the application prospects of nanotechnology in pesticide formulations and the competitiveness of Chinese pesticide companies globally. Mu also introduced Pilarquim's technological reserves and competitive advantages, demonstrating Pilarquim's vision of bringing products and technologies with excellent user experience from the Chinese market to global users. The following text will lead us into the world of Pilarquim's nano-pesticides, exploring the driving force behind the vigorous development of China's nano-pesticide industry.

Chairman of Pilarquim, Mr. Mu Canxian

AgroPages: In the current plant protection industry, nano-pesticides are gradually emerging as a new trend for green and sustainable development. How do you assess the broad prospects of applying nanotechnology in pesticide formulations? What is your view on the overall level of Chinese pesticide companies compared to the international advanced standards in this field?

Mu Canxian: Nanotechnology is widely applied in fields such as materials, medicine, and electronic chips and is globally recognized as one of the top 10 emerging innovative technologies in chemistry in the 21st century. 

The widespread application of nano-enabled pesticides in the field is still in its early stages. However, the introduction of nanotechnology has been shown to increase pesticide efficiency by more than 25% and extend the product's duration of effectiveness. This effect has been verified in a variety of pesticide products, including fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. Therefore, it can be inferred that the small-size effect of nano-pesticides will have a revolutionary impact on their field application performance. Most pesticide formulations, including but not limited to WP, WG, SC, OD, CS, and ZC, can be nano-ized. This means that more than 60% of pesticide formulations can be nano-ized, which will bring a profound revolution to pesticide formulation technology.

Chinese scientists have a leading position in global research and achievements in the field of nano-pesticides, and the commercialization of nano-pesticides is also at the forefront worldwide. However, the development of nano-pesticides still requires much more research to be fully understood. Aspects such as the adjuvants and formulations of nano-pesticides, processes and engineering, target delivery, absorption and transmission principles, residue and safety intervals, as well as user, environmental, and agricultural product safety, all need further research and the establishment of new standards. 

AgroPages: What breakthroughs has Pilarquim achieved in the research and application of nanotechnology in pesticides? Could you please elaborate on the company's technological reserves and competitive advantages in this field?

Mu Canxian: Pilarquim established its R&D center in 2011, focusing on global innovation in formulation development. The company has continuously specialized in the development of microencapsulated formulation technology, known as PILARCORE. In 2021, it made pioneering breakthroughs in nanotechnology for agricultural pesticides, branded as PILARNANO. The first nano suspension concentrate product, NANO PILARTEP (Pyraclostrobin + Tebuconazole SC), was launched on February 14, 2022.

Through in-depth research on the application of NANO PILARTEP, it was found that the absorption rate of NANO PILARTEP by crops is 3.15 times faster than that of the regular PILARTEP. The concentration of active ingredients in the crops is higher, and the effective concentration is maintained for a longer duration, with the residual efficacy period extended by more than one time. At the exact dosage, the efficacy of NANO PILARTEP is improved by two levels (based on a 10-level efficacy scale). Even when the dosage of NANO PILARTEP is reduced by 25%, the efficacy can still improve by one level, and the yield increase is more significant. For example, when compared to regular PILARTEP, NANO PILARTEP shows a substantial improvement in controlling citrus brown spot, shifting its efficacy from general to excellent.

Through a series of product studies, Pilarquim has made breakthroughs in the adjuvant system, formulation, production processes and engineering, quality control, and equipment utilization efficiency for nano-pesticides. For example, Pilarquim has an adjuvant called FS5000, which can increase the sand milling efficiency of nano-pesticides by more than one time and provide better dispersion properties, reducing the aggregation of nanoparticles or delaying crystal growth.

The comparison image of Nano PILARTEP and Regular PILARTEP, observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at a 10,000x magnification

With a series of breakthroughs in the production and application technologies of nano-pesticides, we will see more PILARNANO products being commercialized. In 2024, 10 products were launched, and in 2025, more than 20 products are expected to be released. By 2026, we aim to upgrade most of our formulation products to nanotechnology and supply them globally, genuinely achieving the globalization of nano-formulated products and empowering global agriculture with this new technology that creates value for users.

AgroPages: What is the market positioning of the PILARNANO brand launched by Pilarquim? How does the company use its brand strategy to meet market demands and differentiate itself from competitors?

Mu Canxian: The PILARNANO brand represents Pilarquim's integration of nanotechnology in the field of nano-pesticide formulations. The primary value of the PILARNANO products lies in better absorption, enhanced efficacy, reduced pesticide dosage, and longer-lasting efficacy. This helps lower application costs for growers and truly realizes the agricultural vision of reducing pesticide usage while increasing efficiency.

Based on its leading advantages in formulation technology innovation, manufacturing technology innovation, quality assurance systems, foundational research in formulation applications, product promotion and services, user experience, and value creation for users, PILARNANO aims to establish itself as a high-end formulation brand in the top 10% globally within the pesticide formulation field. However, the product price has not been significantly increased. This is our commitment to users and a long-term plan for the healthy lifecycle development of the PILARNANO brand.

As stated in Pilarquim's corporate mission, "Continuously Innovate for Quality Harvest," PILARNANO technology is innovative and truly creates value for users. The slogan of PILARNANO is "Nano-Sized, Mega-Effect.″ Its main characteristics can be summarized in four aspects: "More, Faster, Better, and More Economical."

1. The average particle size of the nano product is reduced by one order of magnitude (below 300nm) compared to the regular product. With the same volume, the number of particles increases 1000 times. The active ingredients are more easily directed to the target, ″fitting into every gap,″ resulting in ″faster″ action.

   
   

2. After nanonization, the pesticide’s surface area increases 10 times, and its coverage area also improves by 10 times. At the same time, the nano product innovatively incorporates cosmetic-grade moisturizing agents, providing denser protection for crops, enhancing absorption and adsorption, and offering better resistance to rainwash. This boosts pesticide utilization, making it truly "better"!

   
   

3. The innovative nano-microbead adjuvant and technology significantly increase the formulation's adequate retention volume and retention time. With similar effectiveness, the dosage can be reduced by more than 25%, and the duration of effectiveness is extended, resulting in lower application and labor costs, making it more cost-effective.

   
   

4. PILARNANO products offer denser and better protection for crops, helping to harvest higher-quality crops, increase yields, achieve higher market prices, and generate greater profits.

PILARNANO products are manufactured with a commitment to the spirit of craftsmanship, where every detail leads the way! With the support of a user experience and user value-driven marketing strategy in the global market, this technology will ultimately gain recognition and trust from users. The PILARNANO brand will gradually become ingrained in users' hearts, bringing limitless possibilities for increased yields and revenue in global agriculture.

AgroPages: Recently, Pilarquim reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Nankai University to develop nano-pesticides. What substantial progress has been made so far? What kind of research collaborations has Pilarquim undertaken with other scientific research institutions and universities?

Mu Canxian: Nankai University is a prestigious institution in China with a long history in pesticide creation and application research. The collaboration between Pilarquim and Nankai University aims to overcome challenges in the study of mechanisms such as spreading, absorption, and conduction of nano-pesticides in practical applications. Additionally, through both indoor and outdoor field tests, objective evaluations of the efficacy of nano-formulated products have been conducted. The first round of assessments has been completed for 35 products that Pilarquim plans to develop in the future. Several of these nano products have been launched globally by the end of 2024, including PILARZOX (Cyazofamid + Cymoxanil SC), PILARXANIL (Cymoxanil + Dimethomorph WG), PILARZEB (Mancozeb WP), PILARICH (Chlorothalonil SC), PILARMIX (Azoxystrobin + Chlorothalonil SC), BANDOLIM (Fluazinam SC), PILARTIME (Thiophanate-methyl SC), PILARMD (Lambda-cyhalothrin CS), and Copper hydroxide WG. Products still under evaluation include fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. In the future, nano-formulated products will become the leading force in Pilarquim's portfolio.

At the same time, Pilarquim has collaborated with experts from China Agricultural University and the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences for in-depth research on the mechanisms of nano-pesticide absorption, conduction, targeted transport, metabolism, and residues. This research aims to evaluate the fundamental theory and real-world performance of nano-pesticides, providing strong data support for the formulation standards, residue analysis, and environmental safety of nano-pesticides in China and globally.

  

PILARNANO Launch Event in China

AgroPages: In the past two years, pesticide prices have fallen across the board, and global demand for agricultural inputs has been sluggish, putting pressure on both domestic and international end markets. What kind of pressure has this market situation placed on Pilarquim? How did Pilarquim withstand this wave of market impact?

Mu Canxian: From the second half of 2022 to the end of 2024, pesticide prices in the industry have dropped sharply, with many technical materials reaching historic lows. The trends of "competition," "difficulty," and "price cuts" have swept the global market, particularly affecting some commonly consumed products. In terms of demand, 2024 has generally returned to normal consumption levels, but sales are still declining compared to 2023.

Despite these challenges, Pilarquim has consistently adhered to the development strategy of innovation, differentiation, and globalization. As a result, in the challenging year of 2024, Pilarquim's sales are expected to grow by more than 10%, with sales volume increasing by approximately 20%. Overseas sales growth is expected to outpace domestic growth. In recent years, Pilarquim has secured over 150 new product registrations for differentiated products annually in international markets, driving new business growth.

At the same time, Pilarquim has continued to focus on building a high-end brand strategy around differentiated products in both domestic and overseas markets. It offers products that provide additional value to users along with precise and value-creating services. These innovative products have largely remained unaffected by industry price fluctuations. These approaches have been key to helping Pilarquim navigate the industry's difficult period.

Innovation, differentiation, value creation for users, branding, and globalization are all effective strategies that have helped Pilarquim weather the downturn, and they are essential for sustainable, healthy growth. While it may sound simple, executing and maintaining these strategies is no easy task.

PILARNANO Products Are Widely Praised Worldwide

AgroPages: What is Pilarquim's future development strategy and vision? What plans and initiatives do you think will help Pilarquim achieve this vision?

Mu Canxian: Pilarquim has always adhered to a strategy of innovation, differentiation, and globalization, striving to build a top-tier global formulation brand ranked in the top 90th percentile. The company is committed to its vision: "To be one of the best agrochemical enterprises in the world" and its mission: "Continuously Innovate for Quality Harvest."

In terms of innovation, Pilarquim is committed to developing PILARCORE technology, centered around microencapsulation formulations, and PILARNANO technology, focused on the nanonization of pesticides. Products related to these technologies not only provide added value to users but also open up new applications for agrochemicals, addressing specific needs. Pilarquim firmly believes that as long as the company continues to create value for users—offering extra benefits and providing superior experiences—it will have a solid foundation for growth. This belief is the driving force behind the company’s development. 

In terms of globalization, we are committed to strengthening our roots in the highly competitive Chinese market while bringing products and technologies that deliver excellent user experiences in China to global customers. For the past eight years, Pilarquim has adhered to a strategy of submitting 200 differentiated product registrations annually to overseas markets. In the coming years, the number of registrations will increase to 300 per year, with further increases in R&D investment. Over the past two years, Pilarquim’s product registrations have expanded to markets such as Australia, the EU, and North America, with the goal of achieving success in these high-barrier markets in the near future.

In terms of brand development, through comparative analysis and summary, Pilarquim has enhanced its brand-building efforts by highlighting the innovation of PILARCORE and PILARNANO technologies and their position in the global industry, especially with the tangible and additional value these products create for users. Pilarquim has raised its brand-building goal from the 80th percentile to the 90th percentile, aiming to become a global high-end agrochemical formulation brand. Achieving this goal will require aligning various resources and capabilities, and Pilarquim is confident that it will succeed in this endeavor.

As more new technology products are launched in more countries and as more untapped overseas markets begin to bear fruit, Pilarquim’s sales are expected to grow rapidly. The company is poised to quickly join the ranks of leading global agrochemical formulation companies and secure a strong position in the global crop protection industry.

PILARNANO Technology: Leading a New Era in Nano-tech Crop Protection