Adjuvants
These additives modify the properties of the spray solution, which improves the ability of the active ingredient to target, penetrate or protect the target organism. Adjuvants can be incorporated into a formulation (built-in / in-can adjuvant) or can be added separately into the spray tank alongside other agrochemical products (tank mix adjuvant).
Adjuvants can enhance product performance by:
- Providing more efficient delivery of active ingredients
- Reducing the level of active ingredient required
- Extending the spectrum of effectiveness
- Replacing high-value or high-toxicity active ingredients with lower value surfactants
This leads to:
- Better performance and therefore increased yields
- Less chemical environmental pressures
- Reduced costs
- Improved food safety due to lower residue levels
Different types of adjuvants offer various benefits and advantages, which are achieved through five adjuvant processes below. Download the 'Practical Guide to Adjuvants' to learn more.
- Spray formation
- Spray retention
- Wetting
- Deposit formation
- Uptake
Understanding droplet characteristics and behaviour
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?
To understand this, we have developed a method that can produce a single droplet, of an agriculturally relevant size. Our advanced high-speed camera and image analysis operating system then allows us to study the interactions between droplet size and velocity, surface properties and spray composition (including the addition of an adjuvant).
Our analysis shows that factors such as; the nature of the surface, the angle of impact, the size of the droplet and also the composition of the droplet, all have an influence on the spray droplet behaviour. A video showcasing our capability can be seen here, demonstrating how a droplet behaves when it hits a surface and how changes in chemical and physical make-up of that droplet alter impact characteristics. We have an excellent understanding of adjuvant technologies and our experts can help you to choose the best adjuvant to fit your active ingredient.
Product recommendations
The formation and dynamics of spray droplets is important for ensuring products reach their intended target. Adjuvants can influence spray quality by reducing spray drift and wastage, allowing more of the product to reach the target. Therefore, use rates can potentially be reduced, leading to a better environmental profile and a potentially more cost effective solution. The type of adjuvant required is a drift reduction aid / spray drift mitigant.
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Atplus™ DRT-EPS
A tank mix adjuvant combining adjuvancy, spray quality and drift control into one convenient product that readily dispersed in a tank mix.
Atplus™ DRT-100
An adjuvant system designed to reduce the level of spray drift exhibited by a spray application. Designed for use in built-in formulations or for combination with the formulators own choice of...
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Atplus™ DRT-6000
Atplus DRT-6000, is our new emulsifier for methylated seed oil (MSO) with robust integrated DRT benefits. - Robust DRT product when used as an emulsifier for MSO - Can be used in various proportions...
Once a product has reached its intended target, it is important that the spray droplets do not bounce or run-off the leaf surface. Including a spray retention adjuvant dissipates the kinetic energy of the droplets during impact, reducing the likelihood of bounce or run-off.
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Atlox™ AL-2575 LF
Atlox AL-2575 LF is an improved low foam APG version of our AL-2575.
Atlox™ MBA 11/8
A synthetic branched alcohol ethoxylate designed to improve spray retention and spreading properties of an application.
Ideally, spray droplets should cover as much of the surface of a target as possible, distributing the active ingredient evenly. Wetting agents can be included to reduce surface tension and contact angle, leading to enhanced coverage.
Tween™ 22
A high HLB emulsifier and adjuvant applicable for both built-in and tank mix applications. The significantly reduced equilibrium surface tension compared to Tween 20 gives the product excellent spray...
Atlox™ AL-2575 LF
Atlox AL-2575 LF is an improved low foam APG version of our AL-2575.
After a period of time, water will start to evaporate from the spray droplet causing the active ingredient to precipitate out and form a deposit on the surface of the leaf. The formation and structure of this deposit can affect the performance of the active ingredient; for example, the active ingredient could be unevenly distributed on the surface. Adjuvants can influence the evaporation of water from the droplet, leading to a more homogeneous distribution of the deposit structure.
Atplus™ UEP-100
A built-in adjuvant designed to enhance the uptake of systemic or translaminar active ingredients with additional spray retention and humectancy properties.
Atlox™ AL-2575 LF
Atlox AL-2575 LF is an improved low foam APG version of our AL-2575.
Tween™ 23
A high HLB emulsifier and adjuvant applicable for both built-in and tank mix applications. Improved performance identified with various hydrophilic herbicides.
For systemic active ingredients to work, they need to be absorbed by the plant. The active ingredient is then able to circulate through the plant’s tissue killing the target organisms. Uptake enhancement adjuvants can improve penetration and uptake of active ingredients, resulting in increased bioavailability.
Atplus™ UEP-100
A built-in adjuvant designed to enhance the uptake of systemic or translaminar active ingredients with additional spray retention and humectancy properties.
Tween™ 23
A high HLB emulsifier and adjuvant applicable for both built-in and tank mix applications. Improved performance identified with various hydrophilic herbicides.
Tween™ 24
A high HLB emulsifier and adjuvant applicable for both built-in and tank mix applications. Strong all round performing adjuvant and strategic emulsifier for use with low HLB partner in microemulsions
Hydravance™ 200
A soil adjuvant for improving soil penetration and achieving an even distribution of agrochemicals throughout the soil.
