Biodegradable Micro-encapsulation of Agricultural Active Ingredients

BASF is an industry leading chemicals company creating solutions for a sustainable future. The company is seeking biodegradable micro-encapsulation technologies for agricultural active ingredients. BASF is particularly interested in non-microplastic core/ shell particles to encapsulate hydrophobic active ingredients. 

Approaches of Interest

• Biodegradable encapsulation materials for hydrophobic active ingredients
• Polymers from natural sources/ resources are preferred
• Capsule sizes should ideally be d(50) < ~ 5 μm and d(90) < ~15 μm
• Core/ shell morphologies are of high interest but relevant matrix capsules and other morphologies will be considered 
• The active ingredient concentration to be encapsulated is >10%
• A >90% encapsulation efficiency is ideal
• Goods should be cost-effective and ideally <~20 $/kg for the capsule material and < ~2 $/kg for manufacturing
• Measurement of biodegradability should follow ISO 17556:2012: 90% ultimate degradation in soil at 12 °C within 24 months
• Applicable encapsulation technologies developed for other applications are also of interest

Out of Scope

• Microplastics 

Developmental Stages of Interest

• Technology readiness level at TRL 3 and above is of interest, with a particular interest with technologies that have been developed for licensing/ commercialisation, however this is not a requirement 
• Successful feasibility validation of the technology is required for this campaign
• Funded co-development research activity could be considered on a case-by-case basis

Submission Information

Submission of one page, 200-300 word briefs are encouraged. Along with any optional supplementary information e.g., relevant publications and patents. In submitting to this campaign, you confirm that your submission contains only non-confidential information.

Opportunity for Collaboration

The client is open to a range of collaboration opportunities, with the most appropriate outcome being decided on a case-by-case basis. Example outcomes include licensing assets and research collaborations. Successful opportunities could also gain access to BASF’s diverse scientific network to develop a range of encapsulation applications in other areas of agriculture, as well as life sciences (e.g., cosmetics, vitamins, biological materials).