Adjuvants Uncovered Episode 2: Navigating Global Regulatory Challenges for Adjuvant Companies
20 November 2025 The path to innovation in agricultural adjuvants is anything but straightforward. In the second episode of AgriBusiness Global’s video series Adjuvants: Uncovered, industry leaders delve into the complex web of regulations shaping product development and market access around the world.
Panelists Andrea Alquicira, Marketing Manager – Americas at Evonik; Terry Abbott, Senior Product Portfolio Manager for Adjuvants at Adjuvants Unlimited and former Chairman of the Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA); and Dr. Ruifei Wang, Scientist of Research and Development for Agriculture and Food at Nouryon, share how differing regional standards, evolving environmental policies, and emerging biological technologies are driving both challenges and innovation in the adjuvants sector.
The Regulatory Patchwork: A Global Challenge
According to Wang, the adjuvant industry faces a significant lack of harmonization in global regulatory frameworks. “Unlike pesticides, which are highly regulated but in a consistent manner, adjuvant classifications and registration processes vary widely between regions,” he said.
While the U.S. offers a relatively straightforward path for registering tank-mix adjuvants, the situation is far more complex in Europe. “In the EU, you must register country by country, even beyond EU-level approval,” Wang explained. “This adds layers of complexity and makes it difficult to introduce new products efficiently.”
The inconsistency in data requirements further complicates the process. Some markets require extensive toxicology or field performance data, while others have minimal standards, leaving companies to navigate a fragmented system that slows innovation.
The U.S. Landscape: Regulation and Opportunity
From Abbott’s perspective, navigating U.S. regulations requires both persistence and adaptability. Earlier in the year, he testified before Congress on behalf of CPDA, advocating for increased EPA funding to address regulatory backlogs that affect both inert ingredients and adjuvant approvals.
“The most stringent state by far is California,” Abbott says. “They regulate adjuvants as pesticides, which means a lot more hoops to jump through. It can take up to two years to get a new product registered there.”
While California offers some fast-track options for similar products, Abbott noted that the process remains slow and costly. Other states, including Washington and Maine, are beginning to implement their own regulatory frameworks, adding further complexity.
Beyond state-level regulations, Abbott pointed to new federal policies like the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a major factor influencing adjuvant use and product design. “When the ESA mitigation strategies were introduced, adjuvants weren’t even listed as an option,” he said. “We’ve since helped get drift-reduction agents recognized, starting with oil emulsions, and we’re working to include guar and polyacrylamide as well.”
Latin America: A Market of Contrasts
For Alquicira, the Latin American market presents both growth potential and regulatory frustration. “In countries like Mexico, Peru, and Brazil, adjuvants don’t require registration, which helps products reach the market faster,” she explained. “But in others, the process can take one to two years, and requirements vary widely.”
Complexity increases for advanced or specialty molecules that don’t fit existing frameworks. “Some authorities are flexible and will work with you to explain the chemistry,” Alquicira said. “Others stick rigidly to a checklist that wasn’t designed for newer, more sustainable ingredients.”
She added that limited access to certified laboratories, especially those capable of performing GLP studies, creates additional barriers. “In some countries, the required testing can only be done through government-authorized labs, but those labs often lack the necessary equipment or methodology,” she noted.
Evolving Standards and the Push Toward Biologicals
Both Wang and Alquicira noted a global shift toward bio-based, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly adjuvants. Regulatory reform may eventually catch up. “We’re starting to see proposals for simplified registration processes for biological products,” Alquicira says.
Wang echoed that environmental pressures, like Europe’s 2030 microplastic phase-out, are already influencing R&D priorities. “Innovation programs are focusing on microplastic-free formulations, foliar stickers, and seed coatings,” he said. “These are all part of preparing for a more sustainable, tightly regulated future.”
A Future Built on Adaptation
Despite the obstacles, the panelists remain optimistic. Each sees opportunity in increasing scrutiny.
In a market where regulatory systems evolve as fast as the technologies themselves, the adjuvant industry’s ability to collaborate, innovate, and anticipate change may well define its success.
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