Formulation science is a key element in successfully bringing any effective active ingredient (AI) to market for crop protection products.​

Biological control products can, in principle, make use of all the main formulation types, co-formulants and adjuvants used for conventional synthetic pesticides. However, compared with conventional AIs, biological AIs are often inherently less stable both chemically and physically.

So, many living organisms need special consideration to keep them in the dormant state prior to use by the grower and achieve the required shelf-life stability, but also to ensure that they are provided with the means to survive and grow following application and provide the desired level of efficacy against the target pests.​

The principal classes of biologicals are diverse: micro-organisms, macro-organisms, enzymes, peptides, and other natural extracts.​

For micro-organisms, the relatively simple formulation types such as Wettable Powders (WP), Water Dispersible Granules (WDG) and Suspension Concentrates (SC) still predominate, although there are signs of movement towards oil-based formulations, particularly for spores sensitive to water activity.

There has also been a move away from just using formulation to stabilize the microbes in the product towards means for improving efficacy and this is predicted to continue. Another trend where formulation is seen to be making a difference is the move towards mixtures, be that of different microbes, or microbes combined with conventional chemical pesticides. ​

Most commercial formulations of protein, peptide and amino acid products are relatively simple liquids or solid products. However, there is evidence that more complex formulation technology is now being considered and developed. There is a considerable amount of activity in the scientific literature and in patent publications on the topic of nanocarriers and the first commercial platform formulation technologies are emerging.​

For the formulation of macro-organisms, pheromones and baculoviruses, despite the diverse groups involved, there is a consistent theme of longevity running through all groups which is addressed by differing formulation approaches.​

Due to complex and often multiple mechanisms behind biostimulant activity, there will continue to be regulatory and formulation challenges. At present, the formulation of biostimulants is relatively simple with the majority being simple liquid extracts or dried powders but the complexity, and challenge to formulators, is predicted to increase as biostimulants are combined with traditional fertilizers and micronutrients.​

'Other Natural Chemicals' represent a significant proportion of the market for biologically derived products for pest control. A wide variety of active ingredients are formulated and marketed with common active ingredients including terpenes, pyrethrins, azadirachtin (neem), fatty acids, and a number of natural oils.

Liquid formulations are dominant (EC for water-insoluble actives and SL for water-soluble actives). Solid products are often formulated as granules. A small number of more novel formulations are found on the market in cases where they are needed as "problem-solvers".​

Important factors in the future could include the regulatory regime for biocontrol (including the EU's "Farm to Fork" strategy), adoption by companies of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Precision Agriculture technologies, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, new co-formulants and consolidation within the supplier base.​

In our new and completely updated report on Bioformulations, we examine in detail the commercial products in the marketplace and how formulation technology is used to deliver active ingredients to the target; a significant challenge for many types of biologicals.

Recent developments in formulation science ​and technology are reviewed with a focus on patents and an in-depth look at the formulation of biostimulants.​

The contents are as follows:

Chapter 1: Introduction to the segment: definitions​

Chapter 2: Main categories of biopesticides and bio-control ingredients and key features​

Chapter 3: Formulation types for biocontrol agents​

Chapter 4: Formulation of micro-organisms​

Chapter 5: Formulation of enzymes and peptides for agricultural uses​

Chapter 6: Formulation of other biological products for agricultural uses​

Chapter 7: Formulation of biostimulants for agricultural uses ​

Chapter 8: Formulation of other natural chemicals for agricultural uses​

Chapter 9: Review of companies active in the formulation of biocontrol and biostimulant products​

Chapter 10: Bioformulations; drivers and future directions

This article was published by S&P Global Commodity Insights and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.