Crop Protection Industry Leaders Address Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Agriculture
October 15, 2023 
The agricultural industry is facing several emerging problems that require the development of new adjuvants. Unlike previous approaches focused solely on improving pesticide performance, these new challenges primarily revolve around environmental protection. This was the focus of a recent article in the report “The New Era of Adjuvants” presented by CropLife and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology.
The article, “Challenging Truths and Proactive Solutions for the Future of Crop Protection,” addresses issues that arise from the use of phenoxy resistant crops, which necessitates stricter control of phenoxy herbicides to prevent off-site movement and damage to non-engineered crops and natural vegetation.
“We have new challenges facing our industry all of the time,” says Kevin Crosby, Director, Research & Development, Adjuvants Unlimited, which was one of five report sponsors. “We have much more concerned now about Endangered Species and off-site movement of pesticides. This is where adjuvants really play a role. So we have to be quick thinking, forward thinking, and agile in the way we develop new products to meet these new challenges.”
The article also addresses how the increased demand for water in agriculture, coupled with supply constraints and changing rainfall patterns, has highlighted the limitations of irrigation and the need for water-sparing adjuvant technology. Moreover, concerns about nitrogen and phosphorus runoff impacting water quality and greenhouse gas emissions have emerged, necessitating additives to improve fertilizer use efficiency.
In addition, the lack of new pesticide modes of action and the withdrawal of older generation products have led to an emphasis on combination products. The development of these combinations and tank mixes requires advanced formulation expertise and optimized adjuvant systems. New spray technologies such as “See and Spray” and drone applications also pose new requirements for adjuvants, including the need for formulations to supplement concentrated pesticides and reduce water usage.
In response to these challenges, the adjuvant industry is developing the next generation of drift control agents and combined anti-drift and anti-volatility products to address the increased use of phenoxy herbicides. Additionally, there is a need for adjuvants to improve the performance of pre-emergent herbicides and reduce their environmental impact. Research is underway to discover adjuvant materials that enhance fertilizer use efficiency.
Meeting these challenges requires agility in research and development, regulatory expertise, and modern manufacturing capabilities. Strong R&D efforts, in-house regulatory knowledge, and robust relationships with ingredient suppliers are essential. Ongoing upgrades to manufacturing capabilities ensure efficient and economical production of complex adjuvant formulations. Integrating these disciplines is crucial for inventing the future of adjuvants and addressing the evolving needs of the agricultural industry.
To read the full article and/or see the full report, “The New Era of Adjuvants”, click here.
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