Biocontrol co-formulants

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BIO-BASED CO-FORMULANTS FOR EVERY STEP OF BIOLOGICAL FORMULATION

Biologicals are among the fastest-growing segments in crop protection, driven by increasing regulatory pressure, sustainability targets and demand for integrated crop protection solutions. The EU’s Farm to Fork target to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030 is one of several strong policy signals accelerating this transition globally.

However, formulating biological products brings unique challenges. Living microorganisms and naturally derived actives can be highly sensitive to formulation conditions, leading to reduced viability, instability, poor dispersion, sedimentation, UV degradation, or limited field persistence.

Key formulation challenges in biologicals

We support biological formulations by addressing the key formulation challenges across the product life cycle that determine whether biological active ingredients can be successfully formulated, combined, and brought to market. Additionally, our co‑formulants are OMRI listed additives, supporting compliance with organic standards and enabling more sustainable product development.

Viability & compatibility

Bio-based co-formulants compatible across biological actives and complex formulation systems.  

Formulation stability & shelf life

Stabilisation through superior dispersion and controlled rheology to support shelf life and formulation robustness.

UV protection & field performance

Protecting biological actives against UV degradation while maintaining formulation performance during mixing and application. 

How we solve these challenges

Viability & compatibility

Our bio-based co-formulants are developed to support microbial viability while enabling compatibility across biological and conventional formulation systems. They are suitable for microbial biologicals as well as non-living biological actives such as biochemical compounds, botanicals and semiochemicals, helping formulators develop robust and compatible products.

Contact us here to find the right co-formulant solution for your biological formulation.

In addition, our solutions integrate with conventional crop protection products, plant nutrition systems and biostimulants.

 
 
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Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) trials showing compatibility with Borregaard products (outside) and inhibition zone with a competitor product (centre).

 

Key takeaways

  • Compatible across different living and non-living biological active ingredients

  • Easy integration into complex formulations

Formulation stability & shelf life

For biological formulations, physical stability depends on how well biological actives remain dispersed over time. Our bio‑based co‑formulants act as effective dispersants for microbial cells and other biological actives, helping prevent agglomeration and promote uniform distribution throughout the formulation.

Improved dispersion supports formulation stability and shelf life by reducing sedimentation, phase separation, and inhomogeneity during storage and handling. Our co‑formulants contribute to superior dispersibility, suspensibility, wettability, and blooming, helping ensure consistent formulation quality from production to application. 

Where additional structure or flow control is required, dedicated rheology-modifying solutions can further optimise formulation performance.

Freeze dried B.t.​  Spray dried B.t. + Vanisperse​_

Borregaard products help disperse and stabilise Bt cells.

Key takeaways

  • Supports uniform dispersion of biological actives
  • Contributes to stability and longer shelf life
  • Improves formulation robustness during storage and handling
  • Co-formulants for both dry and liquid formulations 

UV protection & field performance

Once applied, biological products are exposed to environmental stresses that can rapidly reduce performance. Our bio-based co-formulants help protect sensitive biological actives from UV degradation, supporting longer functional persistence of the biological products after application. 

In addition to protecting biological actives, our co-formulants help maintain key formulation properties under practical field conditions. This includes improved tolerance to variable water quality, such as hard water, as well as compatibility when formulations are tank mixed with adjuvants, fertilizers, or other crop inputs, helping reduce the risk of physical instability during spraying.

By supporting consistent dispersion and formulation integrity throughout the application process, our solutions help minimize issues such as sedimentation, residue formation and nozzle blockage, contributing to more reliable spray performance. Where enhanced rainfastness or surface retention is required, dedicated formulation and adjuvant solutions can be incorporated as part of the overall formulation strategy.

 

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Example of Beauveria Bassiana after UV exposure. Top left shows no growth without Borregaard products. 

 

 

Key takeaways

  • Protects biological actives from UV degradation
  • Supports performance after application
  • Compatible with complex tank mixes
  • Helps reduce nozzle blockage and residue formation

Frequently asked questions

  • How do I get a sample?

    You can contact our technical team to discuss your formulation requirements and request a sample of a biocontrol co-formulant from our portfolio. We will help identify the most suitable solution for your application and provide technical support during formulation development.

  • Why are formulation additives important for biological products?

    Effective biological formulations require more than active ingredients alone. Formulation additives help improve compatibility, stability, handling and field performance while protecting the integrity of biological actives during storage, tank mixing and application.

  • What do we mean by biologicals?

    The term biologicals refers to products based on living organisms or naturally occurring, nature-derived substances used in crop protection and plant nutrition. These include microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, metabolites, botanical extracts, proteins, peptides, RNA-based products and other biologically or naturally derived materials. On this page, we focus specifically on biological formulations for crop protection.

  • What biological actives are Borregaard's products compatible with?

    Borregaard's formulation technologies have demonstrated compatibility with a broad range of biological active ingredients, including both gram-positive and -negative bacteria, fungi and other nature-derived actives. Because biological formulations vary significantly, compatibility should always be verified during formulation development. You are welcome to contact our technical team to discuss your formulation requirements. 

Let’s solve your biological formulation challenges

 Whether you are developing microbial, biochemical or hybrid biological products, our specialists can help identify the most suitable co-formulant solution for your formulation.