WO2024160973A1

WO2024160973A1 - Film and seed coating dispersant

Info

Publication number: WO2024160973A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/052538
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nathan CASTRO
Original assignee: Croda International Plc
Priority date: 2023-02-01
Filing date: 2024-02-01
Publication date: 2024-08-08
Also published as: GB202301425D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to dispersants for film coating compositions, where said dispersant is a copolymer of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomer, alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid. The film coating may also comprise an agrochemical active or nutrient. The film coating composition comprises in the range from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% of copolymer based on the total weight of the composition. There is also provided a method of forming a film coating composition, a method of coating seeds by forming a seed coating which comprises said film coating, seeds coated with said seed coating, and use of the copolymer as a dispersant in a film coating. The dispersant provides both dispersancy and binder properties, whilst remaining water soluble, as well as providing wetting agent properties and crystal growth inhibition with low dust off and good abrasion resistance.

Description

Film and Seed Coating Dispersant

The present invention relates to dispersant for a film and seed coating composition, to a method of forming a film and seed coating composition comprising said dispersant and coating on to a seed, and to a coated seed coated with said composition.

Plant seed are often coated before sowing, for example, to protect seeds from damage during handling and/or to improve handling properties. Seeds are often coated to provide useful substances (active ingredients) to the seed and the seedlings upon germination, for example, plant nutrients, growth stimulating agents, and plant protective products.

There is a need for novel water-based dispersants for seed and film coats, where the dispersant also has good crystal growth inhibition, good performance as a film former, and additionally may be microplastic free.

The present invention seeks to provide a dispersant for film and seed coating compositions, where the dispersant provides suitable dispersancy properties as well as being a film former and having crystal growth inhibition. Additionally, the resulting composition provides desired wet flowability, abrasion resistance, dust off, germination, and plantability to a seed coated with said formulation and to a plant formed from a coated seed. Additionally the present invention provides water soluble binder and film forming properties in addition to the other effects, in comparison to traditionally binders which usually are water insoluble.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a film coating composition comprising i) a dispersant comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomer, alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid, ii) optionally an agrochemical active or nutrient wherein amount of said coploymer is in the range from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a film coating composition which comprises combining i) a dispersant comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomer, alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid; ii) optionally an agrochemical active or nutrient wherein the amount of said coploymer is in the range from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of coating seeds which comprises applying a seed coating composition which comprises a film coating composition in accordance with the first aspect, to said seeds.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided seeds with a seed coating, said seed coating composition comprising a film coating composition in accordance with the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect, use of a copolymer of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomer, alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid as a dispersant and binding agent in a film coating composition for seeds, said copolymer being present in the range from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

It has been found that the dispersant of the present invention provides dispersancy and binder properties and is water soluble. This contrasts with existing binders for seed coating which are typically acrylic binders, are water insoluble, and do not show surfactant/dispersion properties. The dispersant may also act to provide wetting agent properties and crystal growth inhibition, whilst maintaining good other properties such as dust off, abrasion resistance and so forth. As used herein, the terms ‘for example", ‘for instance" , ‘such as", or ‘including" are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise specified, these examples are provided only as an aid for understanding the applications illustrated in the present disclosure, and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion.

The term ‘seed" as used in this application is meant to refer in particular to the ripened ovule of gymnosperms and angiosperms, which contain an embryo surrounded by a protective cover. The protective cover can comprise the seed coat (testa). Some seeds comprise a pericarp or fruit coat around the seed coat. In particular, when this layer is closely adhered to the seed, as in cereal kernels, it is in some cases referred to as a caryopsis or an achene. As used in this application, the term ‘seed coat" is meant to include a caryopsis or an achene. The term ‘seed" includes anything that can be planted in agriculture to produce plants, including pelleted seeds, true seeds, plant seedlings, rootstock, regenerable and plant forming tissue, and tubers or bulbs.

The term ‘coating" as used in this application, is meant to refer to applying material to a surface of a seed, for instance as a layer of a material around a seed. Coating includes film coating, pelleting, and encrusting or a combination of these techniques as known in the art. It will be understood that the term ‘film coating" refers to a concentrated composition which can be diluted and formed in to a slurry with other components added, such as agrochemical actives, in order to make a ‘seed coating" which is then applied to the seeds or bulbs. The term ‘seed coating composition" as used in this application is meant to refer to a composition to be used for coating of seed.

The coating is preferably applied over substantially the entire surface of the seed, such as over 90% or more of the surface area of the seed, to form a layer. However, the coating may be complete or partial, for instance over 20% or more of the surface area of the seed, or 50% or more. It will be understood that, when describing the number of carbon atoms in a substituent group (e.g. ‘Ci to C , alkyl’), the number refers to the total number of carbon atoms present in the substituent group, including any present in any branched groups. Additionally, when describing the number of carbon atoms in, for example fatty acids, this refers to the total number of carbon atoms including the one at the carboxylic acid, and any present in any branch groups.

The seed is a plant seed, for example a seed of an agricultural or field crop, a vegetable seed, a herb seed, a wildflower seed, an ornamental seed, a grass seed, a tree seed, or a bush seed.

Preferably, the plant seed is of an agricultural crop. The seed may be of the order of Monocoty ledoneae or of the order of Dicotyledoneae. Suitable seeds include field crop seeds like soybean, cotton, maize, cereals including but not limited to wheat, barley, oat and rye, oil seed rape (or canola) sunflower, sugar beet, flax, rapeseed, tobacco, hemp seed, alfalfa, signal grass, sorghum, chick pea, beans, peas, rice, and sugar cane. Examples of suitable vegetable seeds include asparagus, chives, celery, leek, garlic, beetroot, spinach, beet, turnip, endive, chicory, parsley, fennel, radish, black salsify, eggplant, carrot, onion, tomato, pepper, lettuce, snap bean, shallot, safflower, chicory, and crops from the Brassicaceae or Cucurbitaceae families

Preferably, the plant seed is selected from field crop seeds. More preferably, selected from the group comprising of com, soybean, cotton, and wheat.

Preferably, the plant seed is capable of germinating. Optionally, the seed may be deprived of husk (so called husked seed or de hulled seed).

A copolymer dispersant comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomer, alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid. The acrylic acid monomer used to form the copolymer may be selected from (meth)acrylic acid or salts thereof, (meth)acrylamide, (meth)acrylonitrile, Cl-6-alkyl (meth)acrylates such as ethyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate or hexyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, substituted Cl-6-alkyl (meth)acrylates such as glycidyl methacrylate and acetoacetoxy ethyl methacrylate, di(Cl-4- alkylamino)Cl-6-alkyl (meth)acrylates such as dimethylaminoethyl acrylate or di ethylaminoethyl acrylate, amides formed from Cl-6-alkylamines, substituted Cl-6- alkyl-amines such as 2-amino-2-methyl-l -propane sulphonic acid, ammonium salt, or di(Cl-4-alkyl-amino)Cl-6-alkylamines and (meth)acrylic acid and Cl-4-alkyl halide adducts thereof.

Preferably the acrylic acid monomer may be acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, or a mixture thereof. More preferably, the monomer is acrylic acid.

The hydrophobic monomer may be selected from any monomer which is water insoluble. In particular, the hydrophobic monomer may be selected from hydrophobic alkyl (meth)acrylates, styrenes, and vinyl compounds, and vinyl aromatic monomers.

In particular vinyl aromatic monomers may be preferred.

The vinyl aromatic monomer(s) can be, and desirably is, styrene as such or a substituted styrene particularly a hydrocarbyl, desirably alkyl, substituted styrene, in which the substituent(s) are on the vinyl group or on the aromatic ring of the styrene e.g. a-methyl styrene and vinyl toluene.

Suitable vinyl aromatic monomers may preferably comprise from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, most preferably from 8 to 14 carbon atoms. Styrenes and substituted styrenes are preferred where the substituent group, if present, is a C1-C6 alkyl groups.

Examples of vinyl aromatic monomers are styrene including substituted styrene, 1- vinyl naphthalene, 2-vinyl naphthalene, 3 -methyl styrene, 4-propyl styrene, t-butyl styrene, 4-cyclohexyl styrene, 4-dodecyl styrene, 2-ethyl-4-benzyl styrene, 4- (phenylbutyl) styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, and halogenated styrenes.

Preferably the hydrophobic monomer may be styrene, a-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene, t-butyl styrene, or a combination thereof. More preferably, the hydrophobic monomer may be styrene.

The alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol may preferably be a non-ionic hydrophilic monomer.

The alkyl group either as part of the alkylacrylate or monoalkyl groups, may independently be selected from a C1-C6 alkyl, and in particular a C1-C3 alkyl. The alkyl group may preferably be selected from methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, or t-butyl. Preferably the alkyl group is methyl.

The number-average molecular mass of the monoalkyl polyethylene glycol (i.e. the PEG chain only and not the whole alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol) may be at least 300 daltons, preferably ranging from 350 to 900 daltons, more preferably in the range from 400 to 600 daltons.

Some of the monoalkyl polyethylene glycols employed as initial materials in this invention occur in commerce. Thus methyl ethers of total molecular weights of 500 and 550, and designated, respectively, in commerce as methoxy polyethylene glycol 550 and methoxy polyethylene glycol 750, are available on the market.

Preferably, the alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol is a methoxy polyethylene glycol methacrylate (MPEGMA), and more particularly a methoxy polyethylene glycol 500 methacrylate.

Strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid, may include strong acids comprising sulphate acid or sulphonic acid groups (or their salts). Examples of such monomers include acrylamido methyl propyl sulphonate (AMPS) and (meth)acrylic acid isethionate.

When present such strong acid modified monomers usually form from 1 to 30 mol.%, more usually 2 to 20 mol.%, and desirably from 5 to 15 mol.%, of the acrylic acid monomers in the copolymer.

The polymer may be formed from hydrophobic monomers and may be a water soluble polymer, said solubility arising as a result of neutralisation of the polymer.

It will be understood that the terms "copolymer" as used herein includes polymers with two components as well as ter-polymers and terta polymers, and generally any polymer with two or more components. The copolymer may preferably be a random ter-polymer or tetra polymer, optionally with a strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid monomer.

The copolymer may be formed by any suitable method, and this may include free radical solution polymerisation or controlled living polymerisation. The monomers may be added concurrently in a controlled manor over a period of time with suitable initiator.

The amount of acrylic acid monomer present in the polymer may be in the range from 10 wt.% to 90 wt.%. Preferably, 15 wt.% to 60 wt.%. More preferably from, 20 wt.% to 50 wt.%. Most preferably, from 30 wt.% to 40 wt.%.

The amount of vinyl aromatic monomer present in the polymer may be in the range from 10 wt.% to 90 wt.%. Preferably, 15 wt.% to 60 wt.%. More preferably from, 15 wt.% to 40 wt.%. Most preferably, from 20 wt.% to 30 wt.%.

The amount of alkylacrylate of a polyethylene glycol monomer present in the polymer may be in the range from 10 wt.% to 90 wt.%. Preferably, 15 wt.% to 60 wt.%. More preferably from, 20 wt.% to 50 wt.%. Most preferably, from 30 wt.% to 40wt.%. In an embodiment where present, strong acid modified monomers usually form from 1 wt.% to 30 wt.%, more usually 2 wt.% to 20 wt.%, desirably from 5 wt.% to 15 wt.%, and most preferably from 8 wt.% to 12 wt.%, of the acrylic acid monomers in the copolymer.

Other monomers, such as acidic monomers e.g. itaconic acid or maleic acid or anhydride; strongly acidic monomers such as methallyl sulphonic acid (or a salt); or non-acidic acrylic monomers e.g. acrylic esters which may be alkyl esters particularly Cl to C6 alkyl esters such as methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate or butyl acrylate or hydroxy alkyl esters particularly Cl to C6 hydroxyalkyl esters such as hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, or hydroxy propyl methacrylate; or vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate, can be included. Typically, the proportion of such other monomer(s) will be not more than about 10 mol.%, usually not more than about 7 mol.%, more usually not more than about 5 mol.%, of the total monomers used.

The inclusion of monomers having strongly acidic substituent groups in the polymeric dispersant can provide improved dispersion formulations when dispersed in hard water, particularly water having a hardness above 500 ppm e.g. up to 1,000 ppm, up to 2,000 ppm or even up to 5,000 ppm.

The polymer may have a weight average molecular weight less than 500,000 Daltons. Preferably, less than 100,000 Daltons. More preferably, less than 75,000 Daltons. The molecular weight may be in the range from 5000 to 75,000 Daltons. More preferably, in the range from 10,000 to 60,000 Daltons. Further preferably, in the range from 15,000 to 50,000 Daltons. Most preferably, in the range from 20,000 to 40,000 Daltons.

The molecular weight (weight average) of the wax emulsion described herein can be determined by techniques well known in the art such as light scattering, size exclusion HPLC or mass spectrometry, preferably by mass spectrometry. The polymer can be used as the free acid or as a salt. In practice, the form present in a formulation will be determined by the acidity of the formulation. Desirably, the formulation will be near neutral and so most of the acid groups will be present as salts. The cations in any such salt can be alkali metal, particularly sodium and/or potassium, ammonium, or amine, including alkanolamine such as ethanolamine, particularly tri-ethanolamine. In particular, sodium or potassium salts forms of the stabilising polymer are preferred.

The polymer or monomers comprised therein may be neutralised with at least 50% neutralising agent. Preferably, may be neutralised with at least 70%, and preferably 75%-85% neutralising agent. Neutralisation with sodium is preferred.

The pH of the polymer may be in the range from 4.0 to 11.0. More preferably, in the range from 5.0 to 10.0. Further preferably, in the range from 5.5 to 9.0. Most preferably, in the range from 6.0 to 8.0.

The film coating composition and/or the seed coating composition may also include other components as desired. These other components may be selected from those including:

■ diluents, absorbents or carriers such as carbon black; talc; diatomaceous earth; kaolin; aluminium, calcium or magnesium stearate; sodium tripolyphosphate; sodium tetraborate; sodium sulphate; sodium, aluminium and mixed sodiumaluminium silicates; and sodium benzoate;

■ disintegration agents, such as surfactants, materials that swell in water, for example carboxy methylcellulose, collodion, polyvinylpyrrolidone and microcrystalline cellulose swelling agents; salts such as sodium or potassium acetate, sodium carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate, ammonium sulphate and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate;

■ wetting agents such as alcohol ethoxylate and alcohol ethoxylate/propoxylate wetting agents; ■ dispersants such as sulphonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensates and acrylic copolymers such as the comb copolymer having capped polyethylene glycol side chains on a polyacrylic backbone;

■ antifoam agents, e.g. polysiloxane antifoam agents, typically in amounts of 0.005 wt.% to 10 wt.% of the formulation;

■ viscosity modifiers such as commercially available water soluble or miscible gums, e.g. xanthan gums, and/or cellulosics, e.g. carboxy- methyl, ethyl or propylcellulose; and/or

■ preservatives and/or anti-microbials such as organic acids, or their esters or salts such as ascorbic e.g. ascorbyl palmitate, sorbic e.g. potassium sorbate, benzoic e.g. benzoic acid and methyl and propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, propionic e.g. sodium propionate, phenol e.g. sodium 2-phenylphenate; 1,2- benzisothiazolin-3-one; or formaldehyde as such or as paraformaldehyde; or inorganic materials such as sulphurous acid and its salts, typically in amounts of 0.01 wt.% to 1 wt.% of the formulation;

■ pigment concentrates, effect and pearlescent pigments.

The amount of water in the seed coating composition is suitably less than 85%, preferably less than 80%, more preferably less than 75%, particularly in the range from 35 to 70%, and especially 45 to 65% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

The seed coating composition of the invention may also comprise a surface active agent such as a wetting, dispersing and/or emulsifying agent. The surface active agent may aid in mixing/emulsifying/dispersing the wax and/or pigment particles in the preblend and seed coating composition.

The seed coating composition of the invention may comprise further components such as one or more selected from a solvent, a thickener, an anti-foaming agent, a preservative, and a slip additive. Suitable thickeners include agar, carboxy methylcellulose, carrageenan, chitin, fucoidan, ghatti, gum arabic, karaya, laminaran, locust bean gum, pectin, alginate, guar gum, xanthan gum, diutan gum, and tragacanth, bentonite clays, HEUR (hydrophobically modified, ethoxylated urethane) thickeners, HASE (hydrophobically modified, alkali-swellable emulsion) thickeners and polyacrylates. Gums are generally preferred because of their low cost, availability and superior ability to enhance the physical characteristics of the resultant coated film.

Examples of suitable antifoaming agents include polyethylene glycol, glycerine, mineral oil defoamers, silicone defoamers, and non-silicone defoamers (such as polyethers, polyacrylates), dimethylpolysiloxanes (silicone oils), arylalkyl modified polysiloxanes, polyether siloxane copolymer containing fumed silica. The antifoaming agent may be present in some embodiments of the seed coating composition in an amount of at least 1 ppm by weight, or 0.1 to 0.3% by weight based on the total weight of the seed coating composition.

The seed coating composition further may comprise one or more solvents other than water. Solvents may be selected from the group consisting of alcohols, and hydrocarbons. Also mixtures of solvents can be used. It is preferred that the solvent is liquid at 20°C and 1 atm.

Examples of suitable solvents include glycols and their esters and ethers, in particular ethylene and propylene glycols and their esters and ethers, for instance, esters and ethers with C1-C6 alkyl groups and/or aromatic groups, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, benzyl and phenyl ethers, including mono ethers and dialkyl ethers, and esters of these ethers, such as acetates, and ethylene and propylene glycol esters, for instance of fatty acids; polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol and esters thereof, especially with fatty acids; butyl cellosolve, butyl carbitol, polyethylene glycol; N methylpyrrolidone, glycerine, alkyl alcohols with up to 10 carbon atoms, such as ethanol, propanol and butanol. Other examples of solvents include dipropylene glycol methyl ether and propylene glycol methyl ether. An important solvent is ethylene glycol. Further examples include propylene tetramer and synthetic ester oils such as lactate esters, particularly ethyl lactate and benzoate esters e.g. iso-propyl or 2-ethylhexyl benzoates. Aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene, aliphatic and paraffinic solvents and vegetable oils can also be used as solvent. Aromatic solvents are less preferred.

The seed coating composition may also comprise components with a plasticising effect, such as surfactants or antifreeze agents. Common surfactants include amphiphilic organic compounds, usually comprising a branched, linear or aromatic hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon or siloxane chain as tail and a hydrophilic group. Some types of surfactants include non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants, and organosilicone and organofluorine surfactants.

Some examples of surfactants include polyoxyethylene glycol and polyoxypropylene ethers and esters, in particular alkyl, aryl and alkylaryl ethers thereof, and sulphates, phosphates and sulphonic acid compounds of such ethers, glucoside (alkyl) ethers, glycerol esters, such as alkyl and fatty acid esters, sorbitan (alkyl) esters, acetylene compounds, cocamide compounds, block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Further examples of surfactants include alkylamine salts and alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, for example betaine type surfactants, amino acid type surfactants; and polyhedric alcohols, fatty acid esters, in particular C12-C18 fatty acids, for instance of polyglycerin, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, sorbitan, and sucrose, polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers, fatty acid alkanol amides, and propoxylated and ethoxylated compounds such as fatty alcohol ethoxylates, polyethyxlated tallow amine and alkylphenol ethoxylates. Some examples of anionic surfactants include carboxylic acids, copolymers of carboxylic acids, sulphates, sulphonic acid compounds and phosphates, for example lignin sulphonates and (linear) alkylaryl sulphonates. Anti-freeze agents include for example: ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3 butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and glycerin, with the preferred glycol being ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

The film and/or seed coating composition of the present invention may also contain one or more optional pigments, which function to provide an aesthetic effect when coated on seed. The pigment is preferably an inorganic material and may, for example, be an effect pigment and/or a coloured pigment as known in the art.

Examples of suitable effect pigments include pearlescent pigment in different particle sizes. Effect pigments having a particle size of 60 pm or less, or a particle size of 15 pm or less may be used. The particle size of the effect pigment is preferably not more than 200 pm, more preferably not more than 100 pm. Usually, the particle size of the effect pigment is 1 pm or more. Another effect pigment can be aluminium. Effect pigments can be used to create an attractive cosmetic look on the seeds.

Examples of coloured pigments include pigment red 112 (CAS No. 6535-46-2), pigment red 2 (CAS No. 6041-94-7), pigment red 48:2 (CAS No. 7023-61-2), pigment blue 15:3 (CAS No. 147-14-8), pigment green 36 (CAS No. 14302-13-7), pigment green 7 (CAS No. 1328-53-6), pigment yellow 74 (CAS No. 6358-31-2), pigment orange 5 (CAS No. 3468-63-1), pigment violet 23 (CAS No. 6358-30-1), pigment black 7 (CAS No. 97793 37 8), and pigment white 6 (CAS No. 98084-96-9). The particle size of the coloured pigment is preferably not more than 100 pm, more preferably not more than 50 pm. Usually, the particle size of the coloured pigment is 25 pm or more.

A dye such as anthraquinone, triphenylmethane, phthalocyanine, derivatives thereof, and diazonium salts, may be used in addition to or as an alternative to a coloured pigment.

The amount of pigment in the film and/or seed coating composition, if present, is suitably in the range from O. lto 15%, preferably 1.0 to 8.0%, more preferably 2.0 to 5.0%, particularly 2.5 to 3.5%, and especially 2.8 to 3.2% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

A biocide can be included in some embodiments of the seed coating composition for instance as preservative, in order to prolong the shelf life of the seed coating composition before being applied to a seed, such as when being stored. Examples of suitable biocides include MIT (2 methyl 4-isothiazolin-3-one; CAS No. 2682 20-4), BIT (1,2 benzisothiazolin-3-one; CAS No. 2632-33-5) ), CIT (5-Chloro-2-methyl-4- isothiazolin-3-one), Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-nitro-propane-l,3-diol ) and/or a combination of these.

Agrochemical actives refer to biocides which, in the context of the present invention, are plant protection agents, more particular chemical substances capable of killing different forms of living organisms used in fields such as medicine, agriculture, forestry, and mosquito control. Also counted under the group of biocides are so- called plant growth regulators.

The film or seed coating composition may comprise one or more biologically active ingredients (including plant enhancing agents, in particular plant protective products (also referred to as PPPs)). Suitable examples of active ingredients, in particular plant enhancing agents, are fungicidal agents, bactericidal agents, insecticidal agents, nematicidal agents, molluscicidal agents, biologicals, acaricides or miticides, pesticides, and biocides. Further possible active ingredients include disinfectants, micro organisms, rodent killers, weed killers (herbicides), attracting agents, (bird) repellent agents, plant growth regulators (such as gibberellic acid, auxin or cytokinin), nutrients (such a potassium nitrate, magnesium sulphate, iron chelate), plant hormones, minerals, plant extracts, germination stimulants, pheromones, biological preparations, etc.

The amount of active ingredient applied, of course, strongly depends on the type of active ingredient and the type of seed used. Usually, however, the amount of one or more active ingredients is in the range of 0.001 to 200 g per kg of the seed. The skilled person is able to determine suitable amounts of active ingredient depending on the active ingredient and the type of seed used. It is common practice for the skilled person to use and follow the advice of the active ingredient suppliers (e.g., BASF, Bayer, Syngenta, Corteva, etc.), such as by using technical data sheets and/or following recommendations.

In agrochemistry, the logarithm of the ratio of the concentrations of the unionised solute in two solvents, respectively octanol and water, is used as an index of the pesticide lipophilicity, and is known as the octanol/water coefficient, logP. The agrochemically active may have a logP value of over 2.5. More preferably, in the range from 2.5 to 4.5.

Biocides for use in agrochemical formulations of the present invention are typically divided into two sub- groups:

■ pesticides, including fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, algicides, moluscicides, miticides and rodenticides, and

■ antimicrobials, including germicides, antibiotics, antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, antiprotozoal s and antiparasites.

In particular, biocides selected from insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides may be particularly preferred.

Typical agrochemicals for use in in the present invention may include: herbicides such as, for example, flufenacet, bromoxynil octanoate, trifluralin, benfluralin, isouron, metribuzin, daimuron, ametryn, dichlobanil, alachlor, linuron, diuron; fungicides such as, for example, isoprothiolane, chlorothalonil; azole fungicides selected from difenoconazole, cy proconazole, prothioconazole, epoxiconazole, tebuconazole, prochloraz, penconazole, flusilazole, metconazole, triadimenol, hexaconazole, flutriazole, triflumizole; Fenbuco Group consisting of nazole, bromconazole, fluquinconazole, azaconazole, triticonazole, triazimephone, and imibenconazole; strobilurin analogues such as kresoxim-methyl and pyraclostorubin; maneb, mancozeb, ziram, thiram; insecticides such as, for example, dimethylethylsulfmyl isopropylthiophosphate, fluocyanobenpyrazole (Fipronil), metolcarb, phosalone, buprofezin, azoxystrobin, methyl isothiocyanate; and mixtures thereof.

Most preferably, the active present in the agrochemical formulation of the present invention is selected from herbicides such as flufenacet, or metribuzin; azoles fungicides such as difenoconazole, chlorothalonil, cy proconazole, prothioconazole; or insecticides such as buprofezin, fluocyanobenpyrazole, or azoxystrobin.

In particular, combinations of actives such as azoxystrobin with cyproconazole and/or difenoconazole may be preferred.

Examples of suitable biologicals include bacilli, Trichoderma, rhizobia (for nitrogen fixation) and the like, which have been identified as seed treatment materials to protect plants and/or enhance their health and/or productive capacity.

These lists are not exhaustive, new active ingredients are continuously developed and can be incorporated in the film and/or seed coating composition.

Nutrients may be present in addition to, or as an alternative to, agrochemical actives. In such formulations the nutrient is typically in a dry form.

The nutrients may preferably be a solid phase nutrients. Solid nutrients are to be understood in the present invention as meaning substances whose melting point is above 20°C (at standard pressure). Solid nutrients will also include insoluble nutrient ingredients, i.e. nutrient ingredients whose solubility in water is such that a significant solid content exists in the concentrate after addition. Nutrients refer to chemical elements and compounds which are desired or necessary to promote or improve plant growth. Suitable nutrients generally are described as macronutrients or micronutrients. Suitable nutrients for use in the concentrates according to the invention are all nutrient compounds.

Micronutrients typically refer to trace metals or trace elements, and are often applied in lower doses. Suitable micronutrients include trace elements selected from zinc, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, molybdenum, and manganese. The micronutrients may be in a soluble form or included as insoluble solids, and may be salts or chelated.

Macronutrients typically refer to those comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and include fertilisers such as ammonium sulphate, and water conditioning agents. Suitable macro nutrients include fertilisers and other nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur containing compounds, and water conditioning agents.

Suitable fertilisers include inorganic fertilisers that provide nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or sulphur. Fertilisers may be included in diluted formulations at relatively low concentrations or as more concentrated solutions, which at very high levels may include solid fertiliser as well as solution.

It is envisaged that inclusion of the nutrient would be dependent upon the specific nutrient, and that micronutrients would typically be included at lower concentrations whilst macronutrients would typically be included at higher concentrations.

Biostimulants may enhance metabolic or physiological processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, nucleic acid uptake, ion uptake, nutrient delivery, or a combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of biostimulants include seaweed extracts (e.g., ascophyllum nodosum), humic acids (e.g., potassium humate), fulvic acids, myoinositol, glycine, and combinations thereof. Agrochemically active compounds, including insecticides and fungicides, require a formulation which allows the active compounds to be taken up by the coated seed.

The term ‘ agrochemical formulation* as used herein refers to compositions including an active agrochemical, and is intended to include all forms of compositions. The dispersant of the present invention may be combined with other components in order to form an agrochemical film coating formulation comprising at least one agrochemical active. The formulations of the present invention are water based suspension type formulations.

As noted herein, film coatings are concentrated composition which can be diluted and formed in to a slurry with other components added, such as agrochemical actives, in order to make a seed coating which is then applied to the seeds. Film coatings generally can be used for encapsulation of plant protectants on treated seeds that do not require increasing the weight or changing the shape of the seed prior to planting.

The dispersant is suitably present in the film coating composition at a concentration in the range from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.%, preferably 4 wt.% to 25 wt.%, more preferably 5 wt.% to 22 wt.% based on the total weight of the film coating composition.

A particular advantage of the present invention may be that the film and resulting seed coating composition may be free or substantially free of microplastic and/or microplastic particles as defined by relevant regulatory authorities.

The term 'microplastic* and 'microplastic particles* as used in this application is meant to refer in particular to material consisting of solid polymer-containing particles, to which additives or other substances may have been added, and where more than 1% w/w of particles have dimensions between Inm and 5mm, or for fibres a length of 3nm to 15mm and length to diameter ratio of greater than 3. Said polymers would not include those which are naturally occurring and not chemically modified (other than by hydrolysis), and not include polymers that are biodegradable. Preferably the film and resulting seed coating composition comprises less than 5 wt.% of microplastics and/or microplastic particles, more preferably less than 3 wt.%, further preferably less than 2 wt.%, even further preferably less than 1 wt.%, and particularly less than 0.5 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In a particularly preferred embodiment the film and resulting seed coating composition may be free of any microplastic particles.

A further particular advantage of the present invention may be that the film and resulting seed coating composition may be free or substantially free of polymeric binder.

Preferably the film and resulting seed coating composition comprises less than 5 wt.% of polymeric binder, more preferably less than 3 wt.%, further preferably less than 2 wt.%, even further preferably less than 1 wt.%, and particularly less than 0.5 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In a particularly preferred embodiment the film and resulting seed coating composition may be free of any polymeric binder.

The term ‘polymeric binder" refers in particular to the function of a polymeric component in the seed coating. A polymeric binder is typically film-forming. Film coating typically refers to film forming by the polymeric binder, typically upon evaporation of solvent after application of the polymeric binder on seed. Polymeric binder includes homopolymers and copolymers and includes natural and synthetic polymers.

The polymeric binder would be an organic polymeric binder, more preferably a synthetic polymeric binder. The polymeric binder may, for example, be a polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, polyurethane, celluloses (including ethylcelluloses, methylcelluloses, hydroxymethylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcelluloses, carboxymethylcelluloses, and hydroxymethylpropyl celluloses), polyvinylpyrrolidones, dextrins, maltodextrins, starchs, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymers, calcium lignosulphonates, polyacrylates, acrylic copolymers, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, casein, gelatine, chitosan, pullulan, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, acrylamide polymers, acrylamide copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylamide polymers, poly(N vinylacetamide), sodium alginate, polychloroprene and syrups. These binders may be used alone or in combination of two, or three, or more.

The polymeric binders may have a molecular weight (weight average) in the range from 1,000 to 40,000, preferably 5,000 to 20,000, more preferably 9,000 to 11,000, particularly 9,500 to 10,500, and especially 9,800 to 10,200.

Coating includes coating techniques as known in the art. It is envisaged that the present invention applies to all said coatings types.

The film coating composition of the present invention can be diluted and formed in to a slurry with other components added in order to make the seed coating composition which is then applied to the seeds or bulbs.

The seed coating composition of the invention may be applied to the seed in conventional manners.

The seed may be primed or not primed (having been subjected to a treatment to improve the germination rate, e.g. osmopriming, hydropriming, matrix priming).

Preferably, the seed coating composition is applied as a liquid composition and/or emulsion and/or dispersion and/or latex composition and thereafter solidified (including cured and/or dried) to form a seed coating. The term "liquid coating composition* as used in this application is meant to include coating compositions in the form of a suspension, emulsion, and/or dispersion, preferably a dispersion.

Conventional means of coating may be employed for coating the seeds. Various coating machines are available to the person skilled in the art. Some well known techniques include the use of drum coaters, fluidised bed techniques, rotary coaters (with and without integrated drying), and spouted beds. Suitably, the seed coating composition is applied to the seed by a rotary coater, a rotary dry coater, a pan coater or a continuous treater.

Typically, the amount of seed coating composition applied to the seed can be in the range of 0.1 to 200 g dry wt. per kg seed, preferably 0.15 to 150 g dry wt. per kg seed, more preferably 0.25 to 100 g dry wt. per kg seed.

The seed coating composition can, for instance, be applied by film coating, spraying, dipping, or brushing of the seed coating composition. Optionally, it is applied at a temperature of 25°C to 50°C, for instance 5°C to 35°C, more often 15°C to 30°C, for instance at room temperature, such as 18°C to 25°C. Preferably, the seed coating composition is applied to the seed by film coating. The film coating may suitably be applied by spraying the liquid coating composition onto the seed, typically while the seeds fall or flow through a coating apparatus. Preferably, the method comprises film coating of the seed to apply the seed coating composition in the form of a film coating composition.

Preferably, the method comprises applying the seed coating composition to form a film or seed coating layer.

The seed coating composition is suitably applied to the seed such that the ratio of the dried coating layer to seed is suitably in the range from 0.001 to 20: 1, preferably 0.05 to 10: 1, more preferably 0.01 to 1.0: 1, particularly 0.05 to 0.5: 1, and especially 0.1 to 0.2: 1 by weight.

Seed coating typically involves forming on the surface of the seeds a firmly adhering, moisture permeable coating. The process typically comprises applying a liquid seed coating composition to the seeds before planting.

An additional film coat layer may optionally be applied over the top of the coating, layer of the invention to provide additional benefits, including but not limited to cosmetics, coverage, actives, nutrients, and processing improvements such as faster drying, seed flow, durability and the like.

It will be appreciated that the dispersion comprises particles of low water solubility solids and therefore the particle size and distribution is a factor which reflects the stability of the dispersion. It is important that there is a homogeneous distribution of the particles to ensure stability of the dispersion for a longer period. Additionally, an effective dispersant ensures that the particles do not come together and cause phase separation. Therefore, a dispersion with small particle size, homogeneous particle distribution, and limited particle size growth over time, is likely to be a more stable dispersion.

In the form of a distribution of particle sizes, the particles would have a median volume particle diameter value. It will be understood that the median volume particle diameter refers to the equivalent spherical diameter corresponding to the point on the distribution which divides the population exactly into two equal halves. It is the point which corresponds to 50% of the volume of all the particles, read on the cumulative distribution curve relating volume percentage to the diameter of the particles i.e. 50% of the distribution is above this value and 50% is below. This value is referred to as the “D(v,0.5)” value and is determined as described herein.

Additionally, “D(v,0.9)” values can also be referred to, and these values would be the equivalent spherical diameter corresponding to 90% of the volume of all the particles, read on the cumulative distribution curve relating volume percentage to the diameter of the particles, i.e. they are the points where 10% of the distribution is above this value and 90% are below the value respectively.

The particle size values, used to determine the D(v,0.5), and D(v,0.9) values, are measured by techniques and methods as described in further detail herein. It will be understood that particle size values defined below are based on dispersant at an amount as shown in the Examples. It is generally known that particle sizes of 1-10 pm are preferred in order to obtain a dispersion having the desired properties.

The particles present in the dispersants of the present invention may have an initial D(v,0.5) value at 0 days in the range from 1.0pm to 7.0pm. Preferably, in the range from 1.5pm to 5.0pm. More preferably, in the range from 2.0pm to 4.0pm. Most preferably, in the range from 2.5pm to 3.5pm.

The particles present in the dispersants of the present invention may have a D(v,0.9) value at 0 days in the range from 5.0pm to 14.0pm. Preferably, in the range from 5.5pm to 12.0pm. More preferably, in the range from 6.0pm to 10.0pm.

The particles present in the dispersants of the present invention may have a D(v,0.5) value at 14 days and 54°C in the range from 1.0pm to 8.0pm. Preferably, in the range from 1.5pm to 6.0pm. More preferably, in the range from 2.0pm to 5.0pm. Most preferably, in the range from 2.5pm to 4.0pm.

The particles present in the dispersants of the present invention may have a D(v,0.9) value at 14 days and 54°C in the range from 5.0pm to 16.0pm. Preferably, in the range from 6.0pm to 12.0pm. More preferably, in the range from 6.5pm to 10.0pm. Most preferably, in the range from 7.0pm to 9.0pm.

The particles present in the dispersants of the present invention, have a change in any or both of D(v,0.5) and D(v,0.9) between 0 days and 14 days when kept at 54°C of no more than 150%, preferably no more than 130%, most preferably no more than 110%.

The dispersants of the present invention therefore provide good particle size and particle size distribution in a range desirable for an emulsion concentrate. In addition, the emulsions of the present invention maintain the desired particle sizes and particle size distribution under storage over time. The dispersant of the present invention when applied to a seed surface provides for a germination rate which is not negatively affected when compared to untreated seeds.

Coatings also provide good wet and dry flow to coated seeds. The result of this is the seeds can be bagged and sold to be used later or used straight away, and seeds are not wet as this would result in seeds stick together during storage. The dispersant of the present invention when applied to a seed surface provides for dry and wet flowability rates which is not negatively affected when compared to untreated seeds.

The coatings formed of the present invention also provide for a desired viscosity which allows for ease of handling and application to any seeds to be coated.

The coating provides good dust off and abrasion resistance thereby reducing dust produced during movement of the seeds and allowing lower amounts of active to be incorporated due to decreased coating loss.

The seed coating composition provides for coatings which are more uniform across a seed, and good film forming properties and no need for an added film-former. The coating is also found to be tough and flexible coating with good adhesion.

Additionally, the dispersant may provide a dual function of acting as a dispersant and a binding agent in the film and seed coating, therefore negating a need for a separate binder and freeing up valuable formulation space.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

Examples

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the following description. It will be understood that all tests and physical properties listed have been determined at atmospheric pressure and room temperature (i.e. 25°C), unless otherwise stated herein, or unless otherwise stated in the referenced test methods and procedures.

Methods used

The formulations were tested after storage for 24 hours at room temperature (RT) and after 7 and 14 days at 54 °C and assessed for:

Visual assessment for separation.

Suspensibility - as per standard ABNT NBR 13313.

Viscosity - using standard method CIPAC MT192 with a Brookfield method (30 RPM, LVT 63).

- Particle size and particle size distribution - using standard method CIPAC MT 187 with dynamic light scattering analysis using a Malvern Mastersizer with a Hydro 2000SM attachment running on water set at 2,100 rpm. The refractive index of the material was set as 1.53 with an absorbance of 0.1. 12,000 snaps were taken over 12 seconds to obtain the data. An average of three runs was used to determine the final particle size. From the particle size values obtained, D(v,0.5), D(v,0.1), and D(v,0.9) values were readily determined.

- Flowability - IH R&D WI 2049, with wet flowability after treatment and dry flowability one day after treatment, both using Niklas equipment with a funnel fitted with a stopper of 35 mm diameter. The stopper is opened and a timer started simultaneously. A reference is first set by using 3kg of raw seeds three times. For wet flow the seed flow is repeated 15 times using 3kg of wet seeds. For dry seeds, 3 kg of dry seeds are used with other conditions being kept the same. Measurements are made at 20 seconds.

- Dust off - using method IH RND WI 1179 where data for seeds treated with filmcoats were obtained by following industry standards. For each measurement 100 grams of seeds were submitted to a 2-minute Heubach dust meter device test in duplicate, averaging the results to a total amount of dust-off per 100,000 kg seeds. The test is performed at 20-25°C and 50% relative humidity. Parameters on the Heubach dust meter device include a rotation speed of 30 rpm, airflow of 20 L/min, volume of 40 L, and time at 120 seconds. Abrasion test - was done with wet abrasion measured after treatment and dry abrasion two weeks after treatment. Abrasion of corn seeds was measured after a 10 minute abrasion test run in a PharmaTest PTF20E friability drum rotating at a speed of 25 rpm. The abrasion score is a visual quantification of the quality of seeds after subjecting them to this abrasion test closely simulating handling conditions in the industry. The abrasion score was allocated from 0 (high abrasion resistance/good quality seeds) to 5 (low abrasion resistance/poor quality seeds). The test is performed on freshly coated seeds to determine the wet abrasion score and on coated seeds after 2 weeks of drying to determine the dry abrasion score. The results show the dust (in g/100,000 seeds) for the different film-coat formulations tested on corn, as well as abrasion scores determined after 10 min abrasion test (0: high abrasion resistance; 5: poor abrasion resistance).

Germination - was determined using ISTA germination test standards (RAS. MAPA 2009).

Materials Used

All materials used in this project are listed in the table below.

DI - co-polymer dispersant of MPEG-MA, AMPS, acrylic acid and styrene Zinc Oxide - Active Chlorothalonil - Active

Azoxystrobin - Active

Cy proconazole - Active

Fipronil - Active

Atlas G-5002L (Croda) - Humectant

Silfoam SE 39 (Wacker) - Antifoam

Proxel GXL (Lonza) - Preservative Propylene Glycol (Dow) - Antifreeze Kelzan (CP Kelco) - Rheology modifier

Accelerated Stability Examples

Formulations All formulations were prepared by mixing antifoam with part of the total water followed by the addition of propylene glycol and DI. Actives were added after the complete homogenisation of the previous components. A milling step guarantees a D(v,0.5) lower than 5 pm and D(v,0.9) lower than 10 pm. Xanthan gum was prepared at 1.5 wt.% in water with Proxel GXL and combined with the premix after milling.

Chlorothalonil SC formulations were prepared as described in Table 1. Since the active ingredient available in the laboratory was already micronised, milling was not necessary.

No wettability issues were observed when using only DI in the formulation. Formulations are described in the Tables below.

Table 1. Formulation composition: Chlorothalonil 720 g/L SC (Cl)

Fipronil FS formulations were prepared as described in Table 2, adding 10% of xanthan gum solution (1.5% in water and Proxel GXL) to the premix and the rest after the milling process in order to avoid sedimentation. Table 2. Formulation composition: Fipronil 250 g/L FS (Fl)

Accelerated stability data

Accelerated stability assessment at 54°C for the Cl formulation was undertaken.

Physicochemical data is shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Physicochemical data Cl formulation

Ns. No separation; St. Separation top The Cl formulations showed good performance on the accelerated stability test for chlorothalonil. Only a thin top layer was observed after 54°C for 14 days in both formulations.

Accelerated stability assessment of the Fl formulation was undertaken. Physicochemical data is shown in Table 4.

Table 4. Physicochemical data of Fl formulation

Ns. No separation; St. separation top

After 14 days at 54°C, the Fl formulation showed good performance for the Fipronil suspension. Only a thin top layer was observed after 54°C for 14 days. No wettability issues were observed when using DI in the formulation.

Seed Coating Properties Examples

Important to the success of any seed coating is the film-former agent that will improve the adherence of components that includes active ingredient to the surface of the seed.

The addition of the film-former agent requires a good deal of precision, identifying correct chemistry that will provide adherence under mechanical stress in order to avoid dust-off release and abrasion performance without compromising flowability and germination. The dispersant of the present invention was therefore assessed with regard to these properties.

Flowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS) formulation

All components, except the rheology modifier, were mixed under mechanical stirring (500-800 rpm) to prepare the millbase.

The intermediate was milled using bead mills until a desirable particle size was achieved. The millbase was completed with rheology modifier under mechanical stirring (500-800 rpm) until complete homogenisation was achieved.

The following formulations were made up:

Table 5. Formulation example 1 (FE1) Fipronil 250 g/L without binder

Table 6. Formulation example 4 (FE2) Fipronil 250 g/L with dispersant DI

Table 7. Formulation example 5 (FE3) Fipronil 250 g/L with DI without other dispersant or wetting agent (“DI solo”)

Film coating formulations

In addition, a number of film coat formulations were made up using dispersant DI. This was achieved by mixing all components, except the rheology modifier, under mechanical stirring (500-800 rpm). The rheology modifier was then slowly added under mechanical stirring (500-1,000 rpm) until complete homogenisation was achieved.

The following formulations were made up:

Table 8. Formulation example 6 (FE4) Film coating without binder

Table 9. Formulation example 9 (FE5) Film coating with dispersant DI

Flowability

A flowability test was applied to understand the flow reduction led by seed treatment. It was possible to observe that the flowability was reduced due to the increment in attrition of seeds treated when compared to the untreated seeds.

A low flowability rate would be disadvantageous, a delay in packaging process time may be observed or even clogging of equipment might occur during the packaging or sowing of treated seeds.

• Flowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS) formulation

Several formulations were evaluated for flowability. The formulations were applied on wheat, com, soybean, and cotton seeds. Results obtained are shown in Table 10. Table 10. Flowability results for flowable concentrate (FS) formulations

Units are kg seeds per second

Good flowability was observed with all the seed types, with little if any detrimental decreases.

• Film coating formulation

Full seed treatment was used to evaluate film-coating formulations when applied to corn seeds. Com seeds present the biggest challenge on seed treatment using film- coatings formulation due to the seed shape, size, and surface composition. Results obtained are shown in Table 11.

Table 11. Flowability results for film coat formulations

Units are kg seeds per second

Formulations comprising dispersant DI achieved excellent flowability performance, better than untreated seed, and without the need for a separate added binder. Abrasion

After seed treatment, the seeds are vulnerable to physical processes considering the steps that precede the sowing operation. These processes can lead to constant friction between the seeds whilst in storage, during transportation, and addition to the planting machine. This can lead to detachment of the applied product which is not desirable, so abrasion resistance is an important property for any seed coating.

Abrasion tests were conducted with seed treatments on corn and soybean. The scale used considers that 5 is a seed totally uncovered by the treatment and 0 totally covered by the treatment.

• Flowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS) formulation

Several formulations were evaluated for abrasion resistance. The formulations were applied on corn and soybean seeds. Results obtained are shown in Table 12.

Table 12. Abrasion results for flowable concentrate (FS) formulations

No units as comparative data only

As shown below in Table 12, the formulations all maintain good abrasion resistance. As expected, the dry abrasion showed considerable improvement on the abrasion test due to the time necessary to complete cure the film-coatings.

• Film coating formulation

Film coat formulations were evaluated for abrasion resistance. The formulations were applied on corn seeds. Results obtained are shown in Table 13. Table 13. Abrasion results for film coat formulations

No units as comparative data only

As shown in Table 13, good abrasion resistance was observed.

Dust off

Dust-off testing measures the amount of dust released from the seed. Treated seeds were put into a Heubach Dustmeter device which keeps the seeds gently circulating inside a small drum with an air stream passing through, and a fiberglass filter to trap dust particles. The methodology measures seed treatment (active ingredient or other components) that flake off or result in dust. Overall, the seed treatment desirably should have a high resistance to abrasion with minimal dust loss.

• Flowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS) formulation

Formulations were evaluated for dust-off The formulations were applied on corn, wheat, and soybean seeds. Results obtained are shown in Table 14.

Table 14. Dust off results for flowable concentrate (FS) formulations

Units g/ 100kg of seed

The dust off results were well within desired limits for seed coatings. • Film coating formulation

Film coat formulations were evaluated for dust-off The formulations were applied on corn seeds. Results obtained are shown in Table 15.

Table 15. Dust off results for film coat formulations

Units g/ 100kg of seed

The dust-off level seen for film coats comprising DI was well within the values which would be desired.

Germination

• Flowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS) formulation

Several formulations were evaluated for any effect on germination of treated seeds. The formulations were applied on corn, soybean, cotton, and wheat seeds. Results obtained are shown in Table 16 and 17.

Table 16. Germination results for flowable concentrate (FS) formulations for corn and soybean

*G: germinated / A: abnormal / NG: non-germinated Table 17. Germination results for flowable concentrate (FS) formulations for cotton and wheat

*G: germinated / A: abnormal / NG: non-germinated Some dispersants/binders can negatively affect seed germination. However, no negative effects were observed when using formulations comprising DI. As required, the results show that the binder DI does not adversely affect germination.

DI showed good performance as a water-soluble film-former with its dual benefit as an aqueous dispersant. At high concentration, DI showed excellent multiple functions as dispersant, wetting agent, and film-forming.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details of the above embodiments, which are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible.

Claims

1. A film coating composition comprising i) a dispersant comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomer, alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid, ii) optionally an agrochemical active or nutrient wherein amount of said coploymer is in the range from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

2. The film coating according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic acid monomer used to form the copolymer may be selected from (meth)acrylic acid or salts thereof, (meth)acrylamide, (meth)acrylonitrile, Cl-6-alkyl (meth)acrylates, butyl (meth)acrylate or hexyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, substituted Cl-6- alkyl (meth)acrylates, di(Cl-4-alkylamino)Cl-6-alkyl (meth)acrylates, amides formed from Cl-6-alkylamines, substituted Cl-6-alkyl -amines, ammonium salt, or di(Cl-4- alkyl-amino)Cl-6-alkylamines and (meth)acrylic acid and Cl-4-alkyl halide adducts thereof.

3. The film coating according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic acid monomer used to form the copolymer may be selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, or a mixture thereof.

4. The film coating according to any preceding claim, wherein the hydrophobic monomer is selected from hydrophobic alkyl (meth)acrylates, styrenes, and vinyl compounds, and vinyl aromatic monomers.

5. The film coating according to claim 4, wherein the vinyl aromatic monomer(s) is, styrene or an alkyl substituted styrene.

6. The film coating according to any preceding claim, wherein the alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol is a methoxy polyethylene glycol methacrylate (MPEGMA).

7. The film coating according to any preceding claim, wherein the strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid are selected from acrylamido methyl propyl sulphonate (AMPS) and (meth)acrylic acid isethionate.

8. The film coating according to any preceding claim, wherein the amount of acrylic acid monomer present in the polymer is in the range from 10 wt.% to 90 wt.%, the amount of vinyl aromatic monomer present in the polymer is in the range from 10 wt.% to 90 wt.%, and the amount of alkylacrylate of a polyethylene glycol monomer present in the polymer is in the range from 10 wt.% to 90 wt.%.

9. The film coating according to any preceding claim, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range from 5000 to 75,000 Daltons.

10. The film coating according to any preceding claim, wherein the film coating composition comprises less than 5 wt.% of microplastics and/or microplastic particles.

11. A method of forming a film coating composition which comprises combining i) a dispersant comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomer, alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid; ii) optionally an agrochemical active or nutrient wherein the amount of said coploymer is in the range from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

12. A method of coating seeds which comprises applying a seed coating composition which comprises a film coating composition in accordance with any of claims 1 to 10, to said seeds.

13. Seeds having a seed coating, said seed coating composition comprising a film coating composition in accordance with any of claims 1 to 10.

14. Use of a copolymer of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomer, alkylacrylate of a monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of

(meth)acrylic acid as a dispersant and binding agent in a film coating composition for seeds, said copolymer being present in the range from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.