Pesticide Adjuvant Market in the US by Product, Pesticide and Market

Report Overview

Efficient Products that Improve Environmental Profile Will Support Growth

Adjuvant use rates (on a pounds adjuvant per pound active ingredient basis) are projected to steadily increase as adjuvants are used to improve efficiency and the environmental profile of pesticide formulations. Surfactants and emulsifiers -- which include multifunctional products that enhance spreading/sticking, improve emulsification, and promote leaf penetration -- are expected to show the best gains.

Key Findings in the Pesticide Adjuvant Study:

More Efficient Pesticide Formulations Require Improved Adjuvants

Environmental considerations are encouraging pesticide users and suppliers to turn to formulations with lower active ingredient loadings and fewer environmental impacts. Cost considerations have also contributed to an increased focus on older active ingredients, instead of newer patent-protected products. Older active ingredients are being increasingly combined into specialty formulations with value-added, proprietary adjuvant blends to improve the pesticide’s function and limit its effects on the environment.

Pesticide Resistance Will Drive Gains for Higher-Value Adjuvants

Increasing pesticide resistance in weed, insect, and disease populations has prompted shifts in product formulation. Combined active ingredients -- for example, glyphosate blended with dicamba -- can be more effective against pest populations, but also requires the use of additional adjuvants such as compatibility agents. Other adjuvants, such as spreader-stickers, penetrants, and wetting agents, will be necessary to improve the delivery and action of pesticide active ingredients.

Agriculture Trends Will Continue to Guide Adjuvant Product Trends

Genetically modified seeds will continue to represent an increasing share of crops planted. Seeds with tolerances to multiple herbicides -- including glyphosate, atrazine, 2,4-D, and dicamba -- will have a greater presence in agriculture going forward. These patented seed technologies are typically marketed with branded pesticide formulations containing higher-value proprietary adjuvant blends. However, seed varieties engineered with resistance to insect pests and diseases will limit demand for insecticides and fungicides and their corresponding adjuvants. Additionally, improved spraying and application technology will reduce pesticide loss due to drift, which will hinder growth in demand for drift control agents.

Study Coverage

This industry study presents historical demand data (2006, 2011, and 2016) and forecasts (2021) by product (surfactants & emulsifiers, drift control agents, oil concentrates, compatibility agents, water conditioners), pesticide (glyphosate, atrazine, 2,4-D, S-metolachlor, dicamba, other herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), and market (agriculture, commercial, consumer). The study also evaluates company market share and competitive analysis on industry competitors including Agrium, Akzo Nobel, Clariant International, Crodo International, Dow Chemical, Evonik, Helena Chemical, Huntsman, Land O’Lakes, Lonza, and Solvay.