Oil Dispersion (OD)

An Oil Dispersion (OD), also called ‘Oil flowable’, is an insoluble solid active ingredient dispersed in oil.

The oil varies from paraffinic to aromatic solvent types and vegetable oil or methylated seed oils. Ideally the
active ingredient is uniformly suspended in the oil phase. ODs are an excellent delivery system for water
sensitive active ingredients. Another benefit of ODs is that the carrier oil often acts as an adjuvant oil, resulting
in improved bio-efficacy.
Besides the carrier oil and active ingredient, an OD requires
A non-aqueous dispersant to stabilise the active in the oil phase
An emulsifier to disperse the oil upon tank dilution
An aqueous dispersant to improve suspensibility upon dilution in water

Furthermore, the OD contains a structuring agent to prevent active ingredient sedimentation over time. Croda
recommends inorganic structurants either hydrophobically modified clays (un-activated (Bentone 38) or self-
activating (Bentone 1000)), or silicas, such as Aerosil R974 as effective structuring agents.

Benefits Limitations
OD contains both active ingredient and adjuvant oil Long term stability
Adjuvant oil increases bio-efficacy via enhanced Emulsion and suspensibility stability upon dilution
uptake of actives through the leaf cuticle
OD mitigates degradation of hydrolytically-sensitive
actives

Croda offers many surfactants that uniformly disperse the active into the oil phase. Croda highly recommends
the use of polymeric dispersants such as Zephrym™ PD2206, Atlox 4912, Atlox 4914 and Atlox LP-1 as
non-aqueous dispersants to stabilise the active in the oil phase. Croda recommends Atlas™ G-1086 for the
emulsification of oils upon tank dilution, except for paraffinic oils, where we would recommend Atplus™ 300F-
SP (US) or Atplus 309F-LM (EU). As aqueous dispersants Croda recommends polymeric dispersants such as
Atlox Metasperse 550S and Atlox 4915 to improve suspensibility upon dilution.

Croda Europe Ltd, UK +44 (0)1405 860551 cropcare@croda.com www.croda.com/cropcare

Croda Inc, USA +1 732 417 0800 marketing-usa@croda.com
Croda do Brasil + 55 (0)19 3765-3500 cropcare.latam@croda.com
Croda Singapore +65 65519600 cropcare.apac@croda.com

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 Guideline recipes for Oil Dispersions

Non aqueous Aqueous Structurant Structuring agents Oils

dispersant dispersant Oil Emulsifiers Activator (%) (%)
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Atplus 300F-SP (US) or Atplus

Atlox Metasperse 550S

Propylene Carbonate

Methylated Seed Oil

Zephrym PD2206

Solvesso 200 ND
Active Ingredient

Bentone 1000(1)

Aerosil R974(2)
309F-LM (EU)

Sun Ag Oil 7N
Active content

Sunflower Oil
Bentone 38(2)
Atlas G-1086

Atlox 4838B
Atlox 4915
Atlox LP-1

Etocas 10

Etocas 40
Carbaryl 20.0 0.8 1.25 17.0 2.5 58.4
Carbaryl 20.0 2.0 15.0 3.0 60.0
Carbaryl 20.0 0.8 17.0 3.0 59.2
Carbaryl 20.0 0.8 0.8 17.0 2.5 58.9
Atrazine 20.0 0.5 0.8 17.0 3.5 58.2
Carbaryl 10.0 1.0 1.0 3.5 10.0 3.5 3.0 68.0
Atrazine 10.0 1.0 1.0 3.5 10.0 3.5 3.0 68.0
1.05 3.15 75.0
Nicosulfron 4.2 0.42 0.42 15.76
(1) Trademark of Elementis

Procedure
Clay structurants. Ideally the clay structures the oil before the introduction of surfactants and actives. However
if this is not possible all the components apart from the structuring agent (and activator) are homogenised by
high shear mixing and the solid active comminuted by milling until the mean particle size is in the 0.1-10um
range. The clay (and activator for un-activated clays) is then introduced and milling continued until sufficient oil
structuring has been achieved.
Silica structurants. As for clay structuring but after solid active communition the formulation should be removed
from the mill. Silica is then incorporated with limited high shear mixing- overworking the formulation can destroy
the silica network structure.

Non-warranty
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in Good faith, but no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy is
made. Suggestions for uses or applications are only opinions. Users are responsible for determining the suitability of these products for their own particular
purpose. No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made with respect to information or products including, without limitation, warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of any third party patent or other intellectual property rights including, without limit, copyright,
trademark and designs. Any trademarks identified herein are trademarks of the Croda group of companies.

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