Minagro unveils first greener in-can preservative for agrochemical formulations

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, March 31, 2020 – Minagro, a developer of higher quality green and safe products and solutions for the crop care industry, today announces the unveiling of Sovinol^® P850, an in-can preservative that safely counters microbial contamination in agrochemical formulations. This preservative pack can be used to protect in-can spoilage of liquid biostimulants and fertilisers, aqueous pesticide formulations that use thickening gums, as well as raw materials and formulants for agrochemical applications.

Minagro developed Sovinol P850 as a safer alternative to isothiazolinone based preservatives.

Isothiazolinone based preservatives are used to prevent microbial development in aqueous agrochemical formulations. While these products are compatible with most common formulants and present efficient anti-microbial protection, the toxicological profile of these molecules is currently a concern for regulators; in Europe, steps have been initiated to restrict the use of some of these compounds in consumer products. Benzisothiazolinone (BIT) – a widely used biocide, Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) – a preservative with antibacterial and antifungal effects and Chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) – a microbicide, fall within the group of isothiazolinones.

Unlike isothiazolinone, Sovinol  P850 has shown a favorable tox-ecotox profile, allowing for higher doses in more sensitive formulations, such as biostimulants rich in amino acids.  Sovinol  P850 is a liquid product making it is easy to handle. It is compatible with the most common formulants and is stable within a broad pH range (3 to 10). This in-can preservative is readily biodegradable and will not modify the final product classification at the recommended use rate.

“Minagro’s Sovinol P850 is the first in a series of protection packs aimed at providing truly viable solutions for reducing the impact on the global environment of chemicals in the agricultural sector,” said Arnold de Maere, sales and marketing manager at Minagro. “The launch of this product offers customers a safer co-formulant for their mixtures. We anticipate strong interest from global customers as demand grows for greener and more sustainable products.”

The crop protection market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.15% to reach $70.57bn (€63.03bn) in 2021. Biopesticides is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.99% to reach $6.4bn (€5.63bn) in 2022, with projections that biostimulants will grow at a CAGR of 11.24% to reach $4.9bn (€4.3bn) in 2025.

About Minagro

Minagro develops higher quality green products and solutions for crop care. Its greener solutions, based on sustainable raw materials, are aimed at improving crop protection and the uptake of nutrition, while limiting the crop care industry’s impact on the environment. Minagro produces multifunctional preservatives, enhanced performance blends, solvents and bio-stimulant actives.  Founded in 2019 as an affiliate of the Minafin Group, Minagro leverages the Group’s strengths in green and fine chemicals.

www.minagro.eu