In modern agriculture, advancements in technology and pesticide formulation have driven significant breakthroughs. Among the most prominent trends today is the EW (Emulsion in Water) formulation, which is increasingly gaining market traction due to its superior performance, safety profile, and environmental compatibility.

EW Formulation – A Breakthrough Advancement Compared to EC

1. Safety and Environmental Friendliness 

Minimal or no use of hazardous organic solvents: Unlike EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) formulations, EW uses little to no volatile organic solvents (VOCs), thereby reducing the risk of air pollution and negative impacts on human health. This advantage is particularly significant as the world faces increasing environmental challenges and a growing demand for safer agricultural products.

Reduced risk of fire and explosion: In contrast to EC products, which inherently carry flammability risks, EW formulations offer enhanced safety during transportation and storage, minimizing hazards for farmers and end users.

2. High Performance in Spraying Applications

Excellent dispersion capability: EW formulations dissolve and disperse uniformly in water, forming a consistent protective layer on leaf and stem surfaces. This ensures better bioavailability of active ingredients and improved control of insect pests and plant diseases.

No phytotoxicity issues: EW significantly reduces the likelihood of leaf burn or plant damage compared to EC, providing safer protection for crops.

3. Enhanced Stability of Active Ingredients

For sensitive active ingredients such as pyrethroids, EW formulations help shield them from adverse factors like sunlight, high temperatures, and oxidation. This protection extends the residual efficacy of the pesticide.

Advantages of EW Formulation

User safety: Reduced odor, lower toxicity, and minimal skin irritation upon contact.

Environmental friendliness: Significantly reduced levels of organic solvents, resulting in less contamination of soil and water environments.

Ease of use: Rapidly disperses in water and does not require specialized protective equipment during preparation.

Competitive production cost: More cost‑effective than EC formulations due to the reduced use of petroleum‑based organic solvents, which are replaced by water.

Limitations of EW Formulation

EW formulations and manufacturing processes are generally more complex than EC and, as a relatively new trend, require extensive experimentation to refine and optimize.

Research and trials often revolve around key technical questions such as:

• Should water be added to oil, or oil to water?
• At which stage should water be introduced (gradually, all at once, or while stirring continuously)?
• How should the process be adjusted when the active ingredient concentration is high?
• Is high‑shear mixing required, or is homogenization necessary?
• How long should mixing be maintained, and how should solvent evaporation (if present) be accounted for in loss calculations?

From these questions, we have developed solutions to establish a production process that balances appropriate emulsifier ratios with solvent–water interactions, ensuring formulation stability and minimizing issues such as oil separation or creaming. These improvements have contributed to resolving many EW formulation challenges currently observed in the Vietnamese market. 

In addition to surfactants (emulsifiers) and solvents used in EW formulations, the choice of thickeners (anti‑settling, suspension agents) is a key concern for many customers. There are three common scenarios: 

1. No thickener required

In this case, the emulsifier system alone is sufficient to suspend oil droplets in formulations such as:
Carbosulfan 200 g/L EW / 25% Isoprothiolane + 1.8% Kasugamycin EW / Eugenol 1.2 EW / Tebuconazole 250 g/L (clear system) / Bifenthrin 10% / Permethrin 10% / Cypermethrin 10%.

2. Use of Xanthan Gum (polysaccharide) as a thickener

Applied in formulations such as Propiconazole 125 g/L + Tebuconazole 100 g/L.
The decision to use xanthan depends on the product’s pH and whether organic solvents are present in the formulation.

3. Use of liquid thickening systems

These systems offer several advantages over Xanthan Gum and are used in formulations such as Deltamethrin 2.5% and Alpha‑cypermethrin 100 g/L.

Application Considerations

For household, public health, or community‑use insecticides, the formulation must not only be effective but also low‑odor and safe. EW technology is therefore a highly suitable option.

For biological insecticides containing active ingredients such as emamectin and abamectin—already familiar to users—the amount of organic solvent in traditional formulations remains high. Transitioning to EW reduces the use of organic solvents by replacing them with water, offering both cost savings and a safer, more environmentally friendly solution for biological products.