Chemistry and Technology of Agrochemical Formulations

Agrochemical products and adjuvants are of vital importance in agriculture, to protect food and fibre crops from weeds, insect pests and diseases, in order to feed and clothe the growing world population. In recent years there have been increasing pressures to produce agrochemical formulations which have a lower environmental impact and are safer in use. Enormous changes have taken place in the chemistry and technology of agrochemicals over the last twenty years or so and this book provides a timely review of the most important area of technology in the development of new products.
This book covers issues around international product quality and safety standards and describes the current and likely future trends which will carry the industry forward into the next millennium. It brings together well known international experts with many years of practical experience from agrochemical companies, consultancies, academic institutions and regulatory bodies.
Chemists and technologists involved in developing new or improved agrochemical formulations will find this book an essential reference in the course of their work. The book will also be of interest to those working in research and development departments of raw material suppliers, as a concise review of this important field.

Preface. 1. Introduction; D.A. Knowles. 2. Review of major agrochemical classes and uses; L.G. Copping. 3. Formulation of agrochemicals; D.A. Knowles. 4. Water-dispersible granules; G.A. Bell. 5. Recent developments on safer formulations of agrochemicals; P.J. Mulqueen. 6. Agrochemical formulations using natural lignin products; S.T. Humphrey. 7. Novel surfactants and adjuvants for agrochemicals; S. Reekmans. 8. Improving agrochemical performance: possible mechanisms for adjuvancy; P.J. Holloway. 9. Packaging of agrochemicals; P.D. Curle, C.D. Emmerson, A.H. Gregory, J. Hartmann, P. Nixon. 10. Application techniques for agrochemicals; G.A. Matthews. 11. Regulatory requirements in the European Union; W.K. de Raat, I.A. van de Gevel, G.F. Houben, B.C. Hakkert. Regulatory requirements in USA; J.M. Wagner. 13. Waste management and disposal of agrochemicals. Index.

Allan Knowles is a specialist in the formulation of agrochemical products and principal of FORM-AK Formulation Consultancy Services, UK