Capabilities
Want to predict the behaviour of your product before investing in expensive performance field trials and product registrations?
In our 12 dedicated Agriculture R&D centres located globally, we have a range of methods and characterisation techniques that assess the performance of products and therefore increase your confidence that you will have a successful final formulation.
Across Croda, we have advanced analytical techniques and capabilities that are utilised across the different sectors. Highlighted here are a few of the capabilities we have specifically for Croda Agriculture.
Wind tunnel - spray pattern characterisation
We have a custom-built, low speed wind tunnel at our facility in Delaware, USA that is vertically oriented. This enables us to measure the quality and properties of spray droplets, mimicking spray applications. The particle size distribution pattern can be characterised by either laser diffraction or optical imaging systems. Data from the wind tunnel offers us the information on how the various ingredients affect the spray quality. We are open to collaborative projects where spray quality is of interest for your formulation or spray mixture.
Watch the video above to take an inside look at Croda’s low speed wind tunnel. To learn more about the implication and associated hazards of spray drift view our drift reduction technology page.
Single droplet generator – droplet properties and affect
Spray droplets that are too large may bounce off a leaf’s surface and not reach the intended target, but how large is too large and how can spray composition affect droplet retention and deposition? Our single droplet generator offers a new way for us to study the interactions between droplet size and velocity, surface properties and spray composition, including adjuvants.
Watch the video to learn more about the effect of droplet size, impact angle and droplet composition on droplet behaviour.
Contact angle - wetting/spreading ability
Contact angle measures the wetting/spreading ability of a product. Contact modes of action require good wetting to achieve better coverage. Contact angle can be studied through time-dependant measurements on a variety of surfaces.
Watch the video to see how we use contact angle to measure wetting/spreading ability of a product.
Franz cell – uptake through a leaf cuticle
Franz cells are used to measure the uptake of systemic pesticides through a leaf cuticle. They can be used to determine which adjuvant is best suited to your active ingredient for providing enhanced uptake. For example, we used the Franz cells to demonstrate the penetration ability of Atplus™ UEP-100, our built-in adjuvant designed to enhance the uptake of systemic or translaminar active ingredients.
Watch the video to learn about this test method. For performance data on Atplus UEP-100, download the product overview sheet and the datasheet from the Product finder.
Seed enhancement - improves seed performance and resilience
As the world's population grows and the amount of land available for crop cultivation decreases, getting the best possible yield per seed is becoming ever more important. As part of Croda Agriculture, seed enhancer Incotec specialises in improving the performance and resilience of agricultural vegetable and field crops seed through seed technology.
This leads to a better crop result. We have a great deal of knowledge not only in the field of biology and physiology (the seed), but in technique and formulations too. This is what makes us the experts in combining the living seed with different coatings and other products such as plant protection products and nutrients.
Rheometer – viscosity behaviour
The rheometer looks at the rheology of a material and how the viscosity behaves under different shear. It can be used to determine several factors that affect a formulation:
- The performance of a rheology modifier
- Giving insight into long term stability (in hours)
- Predicting the success of a dispersant
- Detailed analysis of two formulations which appear to be performing the same visually
- Understanding how the product behaves during spraying, pumping, pouring and transportation
Watch the video to learn more about how we use our rheometer in formulation developments. Information about rheology modifier products for agrochemical applications can be found on the rheology modifier technology page.