gChem’s Darryl Ramoutar Explores Adjuvant Opportunities with Drone Formulation and Biologicals

Darryl Ramoutar

AgriBusiness Global talked with Dr. Darryl Ramoutar, Global Technical Director, Agriculture for gChem about opportunities in drone and biological formulations. With a growing non-toxic surfactant market projected to grow to $32.4 billion by 2032, Ramoutar gives insights into the demands for biodegradable ingredients. He also shares as drone adoption continues to grow globally, opportunities for drift-control formulations are in demand.

ABG: The area of formulating for drone spray is wide open. What is your company seeing as far as adjuvants being used with drone formulation?

Darryl Ramoutar (DR): Adjuvants are compounds added to pesticide formulations or tank mixes to improve the performance and delivery of active ingredients. In some cases, they may also exhibit biological activity of their own.

These chemicals can be generally divided into two groups based on their function. One group is activators, which includes: surfactants (improves spreading and wetting), oils (aids with penetration and evaporation reduction) and fertilizer boosters. The second group is made up of utility/spray modifiers, which includes: drift control agents, defoamers, thickeners, deposition agents/stickers, water conditioners, pH adjusters/buffers, compatibility agents, humectants, and UV absorbers.

Adjuvants significantly enhance efficacy, minimize waste, and improve safety—benefits that are especially critical in low-volume, high-concentration spray applications, such as those deployed by drones. Drone-based pesticide applications demand adjuvants tailored for precision delivery at lower altitudes and slower speeds. Under these conditions, formulation characteristics such as low volatility and effective drift control are essential to ensure targeted coverage and minimize off-target impact. Some commonly used adjuvants may include nonionic and organosilicone surfactants, methylated seed oils, guar gum, and polyacrylamides drift control agents, and polyether-trisiloxanes.

Formulation types that are amenable to drone application include ultra-low volume (ULV) that typically utilize low VOC oil-based solvents to facilitate efficient dispersion at minimal application rates; and emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) that rely on high-boiling-point compounds to maintain stability and reduce volatility during sprays.

ABG: In agriculture, are you seeing a trend in using non-toxic formulations with biologicals in integrated management systems?

DR: Non-toxic tank mix compounds/formulations suitable for application with biopesticides include surfactants and adjuvants.  The global natural surfactant market was valued at $20.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $32.4 billion by 2032, reflecting increasing demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable ingredients across industries.

Similarly, the agricultural adjuvants market stood at $3.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $5.8 billion by 2032, driven by the rising adoption of precision agriculture and sustainable crop protection solutions.

Two groups of important bio-based surfactants include microbially derived wetting/spreading agents such as glycolipids, and alkyl polyglucosides, which are derived from plant (e.g., coconut, corn, sugar) oils. Bio-based tank-mix adjuvants may improve application coverage, penetration, and retention, and key groups include modified seed oils, citrus peel oils, and lecithin blends.

This growth of biological solutions is driven by a combination of favorable regulatory frameworks, increasing resistance to conventional chemical modes of action, and a global shift toward more sustainable farming practices.

Biopesticides include biochemicals (pheromones, plant derived oils, growth regulators,) microbials (bacteria, fungi, viruses and metabolites) and bio-protectors (plant genetic modifications). Biopesticides play a vital role in integrated pest management (IPM), a holistic approach that combines cultural, physical, biological, and chemical control strategies to manage pests effectively while minimizing environmental impact. In the practice of IPM, biopesticides help suppress pest populations before they reach economic thresholds, mitigate resistance to conventional modes-of-action, and strengthen rotational programs.

The commercialization of biological crop protection products faces several challenges, and one of the most critical is formulation development, which must ensure product stability, shelf life, and efficacy under diverse field conditions. Formulations are generally categorized as either dry or liquid, depending on their physical state and intended application.

Notable examples include microbial biopesticides, which are often developed in dry formulations to preserve viability and ease handling; and plant-derived oils, typically formulated as liquids to facilitate uniform dispersion and effective coverage. Liquid formulation types for plant derived oils include nanoemulsions and microemulsions. Nanoemulsions may consist of plant oils, surfactants, and water, where droplets are dispersed in water (two immiscible liquid) and surfactants prevent particle aggregation.

Microemulsions consist of three main components, a plant oil dissolved in an organic solvent, water, and surfactants/co-surfactants. Microbial liquid formulation types include carriers such as water, oil (e.g., vegetable, mineral), and/or polymers (e.g., polysaccharides, polyalcohol derivatives) combined with fermented biological materials and co-formulant additives (e.g., surfactants, stabilizers, solvents etc.).

Dry microbial formulation types may include wettable powder, dry flowables, granules, water-dispersible granules and encapsulated beads. In this case fermented biological material is combined with an inert carrier (e.g., peat, vermiculite, clay, alginate, polyacrylamide beads); and granules may also contain binders, dispersants and wetting agents.

ABG: With the current tariffs, what strategies do you think companies need to use in the U.S. for sourcing?

DR: In response to rising tariffs, agricultural input companies are expected to adopt mitigation strategies like those used across other industries. Pesticide and input manufacturers are contending with a volatile trade environment, driven mostly by intensifying tensions with China.

In the short term, input companies may respond to tariff pressures by relocating production facilities, diversifying supply chains, adjusting pricing and margins, stockpiling critical components, and renegotiating supplier contracts. These tactical moves aim to buffer immediate disruptions and maintain operational continuity.

Over the long run, firms are likely to pursue broader strategic shifts. These may include expanding into adjacent markets, selling existing products to new customer segments beyond agriculture, and diversifying product portfolios to serve both current and emerging needs.

Additionally, forming strategic partnerships can accelerate innovation pipelines and enhance competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global trade environment. Moreover, American manufacturers may only benefit from tariffs if they produce finished goods domestically that compete with foreign imports.