FORMULARY

Crop Protection Pesticide

Formulations No. 921rev
 FORMULARY

Crop Protection Pesticide Formulations No. 921rev

The purpose of formulating pesticide active ingredients for crop protection is to uniformly spread a small
amount of an active chemical over a large area. The goal is to ensure safety in handling and during application
and to optimize pesticide efficacy. This requires that the pesticide formulation be chemically stable and
physically uniform under all foreseeable storage conditions so that the minimum effective amount can be
accurately applied to target areas. Vanderbilt Minerals, LLC supplies a variety of minerals and chemicals to
assist the pesticide formulator. These include:

Suspension Stabilizers:
Smectite Clays Xanthan Gum
VANATURAL Bentonite ®
VANZAN Xanthan Gum
®

VAN GEL® Magnesium Aluminum Silicate VANZAN D Xanthan Gum

VEEGUM® Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

VANATURAL OMRI listed bentonite VANZAN General purpose grade for most applications
VANATURAL MC Bentonite; low micro count VANZAN D Surface-treated to facilitate dispersion
VAN GEL B Economical grade for most suspensions
VAN GEL ES The most electrolyte tolerant grade
VAN GEL SX Clay/Xanthan Gum; high efficiency stabilizer
VEEGUM R Standard grade for a wide range of applications
VEEGUM Pure OMRI listed version of VEEGUM R
VEEGUM T The most efficient clay grade
VEEGUM CER Smectite clay/CMC; high efficiency stabilizer
Additional grades are available to match formulation requirements.

Diluents: Dispersing Agents:

CONTINENTAL Clay ®
DARVAN Dispersants
®

PYRAX® Pyrophyllite
CONTINENTAL Kaolin with unusually fine particle size DARVAN 2 Sodium lignosulfonate
x
PYRAX ABB An inert diluent for pesticide powders DARVAN 670 Sodium polynaphthalene sulfonate
Additional grades are available to match formulation requirements.

X
Not for agricultural applications in the USA

Before using, read, understand and comply with the information and precautions in the Safety Data Sheets, label and other product literature. The information presented herein, while not guaranteed,
was prepared by technical personnel and, to the best of our knowledge and belief, is true and accurate as of the date hereof. No warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, is made
regarding accuracy, performance, stability, reliability or use. This information is not intended to be all-inclusive, because the manner and conditions of use, handling, storage and other factors may involve
other or additional safety or performance considerations. The user is responsible for determining the suitability of any material for a specific purpose and for adopting such safety precautions as may
be required. Vanderbilt Minerals, LLC does not warrant the results to be obtained in using any material, and disclaims all liability with respect to the use, handling or further processing of any such material.
No suggestion for use is intended as, and nothing herein shall be construed as, a recommendation to infringe any existing patent, trademark or copyright or to violate any federal, state or local law or
regulation.
 FORMULARY

LIQUID CONCENTRATES
Aqueous flowables (AF) are concentrated 40% to 70% w/w suspensions of micronized active pesticide in
water. Prior to spraying on target areas, aqueous flowables are diluted with water in a spray tank to achieve
the minimum effective pesticide concentration. AFs must be formulated for low viscosity and good fluidity so
that transfer to the spray tank is easy and complete. This requires an effective wetting agent and an efficient
dispersing agent to ensure adequate dispersion of the pesticide in the water. Since the active ingredients in
AFs are insoluble, good suspension stability is essential. If the suspension settles and leaves sediment at the
bottom of the container, the application of the pesticide may be too weak to be effective. Also, disposal of the
residue in the container becomes a problem. A combination of smectite clay (aka bentonite) and xanthan gum
works synergistically to provide excellent long term suspension stability at low viscosity and at low cost.
There are three techniques commonly used to stabilize aqueous flowables:
Pre-Milled Active - When the pesticide is already milled to the desired particle size, the smectite clay and, if
used, the organic gum (xanthan gum, cellulose gum) are first thoroughly hydrated before the other ingredients
are added with a dispersing mixer. The formulas in Table 1 and Table 2 demonstrate the use of smectite clay
suspending agent, with and without xanthan gum, to produce fluid concentrates with excellent physical stability.
Pre-Hydrated Clay/Un-milled Active - When the pesticide needs to be milled, a pre-suspension of the smectite
clay can be formed as above, reserving the organic gum. This is then media milled (attritor, ball mill, sand mill) until
the pesticide particles are reduced to the desired size. The organic gum is added at the end of the milling cycle,
avoiding shear degradation.
Un-Milled Active/In-Situ Clay Hydration - All ingredients except the organic gum are added directly to the
media mill without pre-dispersion. The smectite clay hydrates as the pesticide particles are milled. Generally,
smectite clay is best delaminated when it is pre-hydrated, but the high shear imparted by the mill is usually
sufficient. The organic gum, typically xanthan gum, is added and dissolved as the last step; it interacts with the
clay to form the colloidal structure that keeps the pesticide particles uniformly dispersed and suspended during
storage. The formulas in Table 3 demonstrate the use of the VAN GEL B/VANZAN suspending agent
combination to produce low viscosity fluid concentrates with excellent physical stability. These formulas were
prepared in 2 kg batches in a laboratory impact mill. All ingredients were charged to the mill except the xanthan
gum. Milling proceeded until the average particle size of the active was reduced to less than 5 micrometers.
The xanthan gum was then added and milling was continued only long enough to allow the gum to dissolve.
Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) are blends of pesticide, emulsifiers and adjuvants dissolved in a volatile oil.
Low melting point or liquid pesticide actives have traditionally been formulated into EC’s. When the EC is
added to water in the spray tank, it forms a stable dilute emulsion. ECs are a convenient means of using water
as a vehicle for oil-soluble pesticides. However, their oily solvent base creates several hazards: ECs can be
absorbed through the skin, burn foliage, and attack the rubber and plastic parts of spray equipment.
Concentrated emulsions (EW) contain up to 50% w/w of oil-soluble pesticide. EWs minimize the
disadvantages of emulsifiable concentrates by minimizing the level of solvent needed to dissolve the pesticide,
and then emulsifying this solution in water. The concentrated emulsion is simply diluted in the spray tank for
application. The combination of smectite clay and xanthan gum stabilizes the concentrated emulsion against
separation in the same way that it stabilizes concentrated AF suspensions. To prepare the concentrated
emulsion, the smectite clay is hydrated in the water phase before the emulsion is formed. The xanthan gum
can be dissolved in the water either before or after emulsification.
Suspo-emulsions (SE) are produced by combining an aqueous flowable with a concentrated emulsion. The
need to ensure long-term fluidity and physical stability requires that particular care be taken in the selection of
proper wetting agents and emulsifiers. The smectite clay/xanthan gum combination ensures the stability of the
dispersed oil phase against coalescence and prevents the agglomeration of pesticide particles. DARVAN
dispersants are useful in promoting the optimum dispersion of the pesticide particles.

*Please see user advisory on page 1

 FORMULARY

WETTABLE POWDERS
Wettable powders (WP) are dry concentrates containing 50% or more of micronized active pesticide blended
with a wetting agent, a dispersing agent and a finely ground diluent. Prior to spraying on target areas, wettable
powders are dispersed into water in a spray tank to achieve the minimum effective pesticide concentration.
The active may be a crystalline solid or a liquid or low melting point compound absorbed onto a carrier. The
wetting agent ensures easy dispersion of the active in water, and the dispersing agent, such as a DARVAN
Dispersant, inhibits the agglomeration of pesticide particles. CONTINENTAL Clay is widely used as the solid
diluent in wettable powders because of its naturally fine particle size, its broad compatibility with pesticide
actives and its ability to inhibit the settling of pesticide particles in the spray tank. Typical formulations are
shown in Table 4.
Because wettable powders are applied as dilute aqueous suspensions, drift into non-target areas is more
easily controlled than with dusts, but exposure to respirable pesticide powder remains a concern.

WATER DISPERSIBLE GRANULES

Water dispersible granules (WDG), or dry flowables (DF), are wettable powders that have been aggregated
into uniform granules for easier handling and to eliminate respirable particles. They are dispersed in the spray
tank and applied as dilute suspensions in the same way as wettable powders. WDGs incorporate the same
ingredients as wettable powders, including DARVAN dispersants and CONTINENTAL clay, although generally
with a higher level of active and less diluent. The granules must be strong enough to resist crumbling into
powder, yet still readily and completely disintegrate and disperse in the spray tank. This avoids nozzle
clogging and ensures the finest particle size of the active ingredient for optimum efficacy.
Several methods are used to form granules from the starting powder blend. These include pan granulation,
fluid bed granulation, spray drying, high speed mixer agglomeration and extrusion granulation. Extrusion
granulation is generally preferred on the basis of safety, versatility and economy.

DUSTS
Dusts (D) are formulated as ready-to-use pesticides, with no dilution required. The active is either a crystalline
solid ground to 1-10 micrometers, or a liquid or waxy compound absorbed onto an inert mineral carrier. The
concentration of active is typically less than 10% by weight, with a finely ground mineral diluent making up the
balance. Aerial application of dusts was once commonly practiced, but this has all but been abandoned due to
inhalation hazards and the tendency of dusts to drift into non-target areas. Today dusts are used for small area
treatment such as gardens, for seed treatments and for the control of parasites on pets and livestock.
The preferred diluent for pesticide dusts is PYRAX ABB Pyrophyllite. This finely ground pyrophyllite is an inert,
non-hygroscopic, neutral pH mineral which provides optimal compatibility with pesticide actives, and is safe for
plants and animals. PYRAX ABB has a relatively high bulk density, resulting in “heavy” dusts that drift less on
application to plants, and that enable animal dusts to penetrate fur for good skin contact.

*Please see user advisory on page 1

 FORMULARY

Table 1. Sulfur Flowable Concentrate (6 lbs/gal) from Pre-Milled Active

For Organic Farming

No. 616 No. 621 No. 622
Wt.% Wt.% Wt.%
VAN GEL SX Magnesium Aluminum Silicate 0.30 -- --
VEEGUM Pure Magnesium Aluminum Silicate -- 1.00 0.24
A
VANZAN Xanthan Gum -- -- 0.06
Water 28.70 27.10 27.80

Sodium Polynaphthalene Sulfonate 2.50 2.50 2.50

Propylene Glycol 9.50 9.50 9.50
B Carbowet®GA2111 0.10 -- --
Tween® 80-NV-LQ-(AP)2 -- 1.00 1.00
Preservative q.s. q.s. q.s.
C Yellow Jacket® Wettable Sulfur, 90.0% min.3 58.90 58.90 58.90

Viscosity, cpsA
1 Day 1290 1040 1520
1 Month 1390 1540 1560
3 Months 2050 1350 2150
Stability, 3 months
Gelation, 5/20/50°C none none none
BleedB, 5/20/50°C vsl/vsl/tr sl/sl/vsl vsl/sl/sl
Packing, 5/20/50°C none none none
Freeze/Thaw, 3 cycles passed passed passed
Bloom passed passed passed
pH 6.7 7.2 7.6
Density, lbs/gal 11.9 12.0 11.9

Note: Use an appropriate mixing blade and speed to prevent excessive air entrapment.
Procedure: For the respective formulas, sift the VAN GEL SX, VEEGUM Pure or the
combination of VEEGUM Pure and VANZAN (sequentially or as a dry blend) into an
established vortex in the water. Mix until fully hydrated. Please review our Preparation of
Dispersions guidance*. Add the sodium polynaphthalene sulfonate and mix until thoroughly
dissolved. Then, add the rest of Part B ingredients and mix completely after each. Avoid air
entrapment. Slowly add the sulfur, Part C, increasing the mixer speed as needed. Mix until
thoroughly dispersed.
A
20°C samples, Brookfield at 60 rpm
B
tr: trace, vsl: very slight, sl: slight
1
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA
2
Croda, Edison, NJ
3
Georgia Gulf Sulfur Corporation, Valdosta, Georgia
*http://www.vanderbiltminerals.com/ee_content/Documents/Technical/Preparation_of_Dispersions_Trifold_Web.pdf

*Please see user advisory on page 1

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Table 2. Thiram Seed Treatment No. 624 (1.75 lb/gal) from Pre-Milled Active

Wt.%
VAN GEL SX Magnesium Aluminum Silicate 0.70
A
Water 36.90

Sodium Polynaphthalene Sulfonate 2.50

Propylene Glycol 9.50
Carbowet GA211Surfactant1 0.10
B
Kathon CG/ICP II 2 0.15
Carbowax PEG 400 IND2 19.25
Sunsperse Red 48:2 (Code: RPD-0048)3 11.6

4
C Thiram P (Thiram Technical, 99%) (EPA Reg. No. 45728-1) 19.3

D Triethanolamine, 99% q.s

Viscosity, cps*
1 Day 630
1 Month 950
3 Months 800
Bleed, 3 months
5/20/45°C trace/very slight/very slight
Freeze/Thaw, 3 cycles passed
pH, 24 hrs 8.3
Density, lbs/gal 9.1

Procedure:
Using a Cowles Disperser or equivalent mixer, sift the VAN GEL SX into an established vortex
in the water. Mix until fully hydrated. Please review our Preparations of Dispersions guidance**.
Slowly add the sodium polynaphthalene sulfonate and mix until thoroughly dissolved.
Then, add the rest of Part B ingredients and mix completely after each. Slowly add the Thiram,
Part C, increasing the mixer speed as needed. Mix until thoroughly dispersed. Decrease the
mixing speed and adjust the pH to 8.8 as necessary with triethanolamine.

*20°C samples, Brookfield at 60 rpm

1
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA
2
Dow Chemical, Midland, MI
3
Sun Chemical Corporation, Cincinnati, OH
4
Taminco US Inc./ A subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company, Allentown, PA
**http://www.vanderbiltminerals.com/ee_content/Documents/Technical/Preparation_of_Dispersions_Trifold_Web.pdf

*Please see user advisory on page 1

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Table 3. Flowable Concentrates from Un-Milled Active / In-Situ Clay Hydration

No. 388 No. 386 No. 387 No. 389

Carbaryl Carbaryl Atrazine Sulfur
4 lbs/gal 5 lbs/gal 4 lbs/gal 6 lbs/gal
VAN GEL® B
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.50%
Sodium Lignosulfonate 2.00 3.50 -- --
Sodium Polynaphthalene Sulfonate -- -- 2.00 2.50
Water 41.24 25.78 41.42 34.09
Propylene Glycol 10.00 15.00 7.50 9.50
Carbowet® GA2111 0.10 0.10 -- 0.10
Surfynol® 104H1 -- -- 0.50 --
Atlox 48962 -- -- 2.00 --
Triton X1143 -- -- -- 0.15
Citric acid 0.08 0.08 -- --
Triethanolamine -- -- qs, pH 7 --
Preservative 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10
Carbaryl, 99% Tech. 46.00 55.00 -- --
Atrazine, 98% Tech. -- -- 46.00 --
Flour Sulfur -- -- -- 53.00
VANZAN® Xanthan Gum 0.08 0.04 0.08 0.06
Viscosity, cpsA
1 Day 480 900 420 800
1 Month 460 880 420 780
3 Months 460 870 410 760
Stability, 3 months
Gelation, 4/20/50oC none none none none
BleedB, 4/20/50oC 0/tr/vsl tr/tr/vsl 0/0/tr 0/sl/tr
Packing, 4/20/50oC none none none none
Freeze/Thaw, 5 cycle passed passed passed passed
Bloom passed passed passed passed
Avg particle size, mC 3.1 4.5 2.7 2.7
pH 5.5 5.5 7.0 7.3
Density, lbs/gal 9.2 9.4 9.1 11.6
A
Brookfield, 60 rpm
B
tr:trace, vsl: very slight, sl: slight
C
Coulter
1
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA
2
ICI Americas, Inc., Bridgewater, NJ
3
Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation, Danbury, CT

*Please see user advisory on page 1

 FORMULARY

Table 4. Typical Wettable Powder Formulations

Atrazine 50% -- -- -- --
Carbaryl -- 75% -- -- --
Diuron -- -- 80% -- --
Mancozeb -- -- -- 75% --
Sulfur -- -- -- -- 80%
Morwet EFW* 4-6 4-6 4-6 4-6 4-6
Sodium Lignosulfonate -- 4-6 -- -- --
Sodium Polynaphthalene Sulfonate 3-4 -- 4-6 4-6 4-6
CONTINENTAL® Clay qs to 100%
*Akzo Nobel Surfactants, Chicago, IL

VAN GEL, VEEGUM, DARVAN, VANZAN, PYRAX and CONTINENTAL are registered trademarks of Vanderbilt Minerals, LLC
Atlox is a registered trademark of ICI Americas, Inc.
Carbowax is a registered trademark of Union Carbide Corporation.
Carbowet is a registered trademark of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Kathon is a registered trademark of Rohm & Haas Company.
Morwet is a registered trademark of Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry LLC.
Sunsperse is a registered trademark of Kewanee Industries, Inc.
Surfynol is a registered trademark of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Thiram P is a trademark of Taminco N.V.
Tween is a registered trademark of Uniqema Americas LLC.
Triton is a registered trademark of Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation.
Yellow Jacket is a registered trademark of Georgia Gulf Sulfur Corporation.

Rev 04/01/16

*Please see user advisory on page 1