Emulsion in Water (EW)

EW (Emulsion in Water) formulations are stable emulsions in which a water‑insoluble liquid is dispersed within a continuous aqueous phase. This water‑insoluble liquid may be a liquid active ingredient or a solid active ingredient that has been dissolved in a suitable solvent.

Compared with EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) formulations, EW formulations are considered a safer and more environmentally friendly option because water is used as the continuous phase instead of organic solvents. This reduces phytotoxicity, minimizes fire and explosion hazards, simplifies handling, and lowers the environmental impact.

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EW – an optimal choice thanks to its key advantages

  • Low toxicity to plants, the environment, and skin
  • No risk of fire or explosion
  • Easier to handle than solid formulations
  • Lower environmental impact
  • Compatible with aqueous suspension concentrate (SC) formulations
  • Serves as a water‑based concentrate platform for suspo‑emulsion (SE) formulations
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Despite its advantages, EW formulations still have certain limitations

  • The active ingredient must be stable in water and have a solubility below 200 mg/L
  • In some cases, toxic solvents with high VOC(*) content are still required to dissolve the active ingredient
  • Solvents may affect packaging materials and spraying equipment
  • The active ingredient must be fully soluble in the solvent across a wide temperature range
  • The formulation system is more complex than EC
  • The manufacturing process is more stringent and production costs are higher
  • Packaging is more difficult to clean after use, increasing the risk of cross‑contamination
  • Lower formulation stability

Key principles for developing an EW formulation

To formulate an effective and stable EW (Emulsion in Water) product, the following sequence of steps must be followed. First, if the active ingredient is in solid form, an appropriate solvent must be identified to dissolve it. Next, suitable surfactants are selected according to the formulation requirements. Antifreeze agents and thickeners are then incorporated, followed by the addition of water, preservatives, and defoamers. This mixture is stirred until a uniform, continuous aqueous phase is obtained. In a separate step, emulsifiers are combined with the active ingredient or oil phase and mixed until a homogeneous dispersed oil phase is formed. This oil phase is then slowly added to the aqueous phase under gentle agitation. Finally, high‑shear mixing is applied to fully homogenize the emulsion system. The main components commonly included in an EW formulation are:
STT Components % (w/w)
01 Active ingredient 5 – 50
02 Oil/Solvent 0 – 30
03 Surfactants 5 – 10
04 Thickener 0,1 – 0,5
05 Antifreeze agent 5 – 10
06 Defoamer 0.2
07 Preservative 0.1
08 Water q.s 100

MỘT SỐ PHỤ GIA CỦA AMIGOS GIÀNH CHO CÁC CÔNG THỨC EW

pHold

pHold

pHold is an amine polycarboxylic acid. It functions as a pH adjuster, working in combination with Viscotex® EP2 to stabilize the formulation without affecting other product properties
Viscotex<sup>®</sup> EP2

Viscotex® EP2

Viscotex® EP2 is a specialty polymer based on acrylic ester. It is a next-generation thickening agent designed to replace xanthan gum in stabilizing EW (Emulsion, Oil in Water) systems under high pH conditions
Ericol™ K600

Ericol™ K600

Ericol™ K600 is a surfactant blend based on ethoxylated castor oil. It promotes the formation of fine, smooth emulsions with excellent appearance. Ericol™ K600 is well-suited for the transition from EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) to EW (Emulsion, Oil in Water) formulations, especially with biopesticide actives, and helps optimize production costs
Ericol™ K400

Ericol™ K400

Ericol™ K400 is a blend of Polyethylene Glycol Tristyrylphenyl Ether. It is a specialized emulsifier designed for Alpha-cypermethrin, suitable for use in various EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) and SE (Suspo-Emulsion) formulations
Ericol™ K300

Ericol™ K300

Ericol™ K300 is a blend of nonionic surfactants combined with alkyl benzene sulfonic acid salts. It is a specialized emulsifier designed for EW (Emulsion, Oil in Water) and EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate) formulations

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