Suspension Fertilizer and Foliar Fertilizer With Colloidal Gelling Agent

The ability to suspend insoluble plant nutrients combines the advantage of higher analysis found in bulk blend fertilizers with ease and uniformity of application found in liquid fertilizers suspensions after using Colloidal Gelling Agent Inorganic Thickener and foliar applications. 

The unique properties of our Attapulgite Powder suspension agent are of particular value to suspension and foliar fertilizer users because little viscosity results when the suspension is under shear, allowing the mix to pass through application spray nozzles easily and uniformly. 

When shear is stopped during transport or storage a thick gel forms suspending insolubles and stabilizing the mix Powder Viscosity Modifiers. Suspensions produced with powder suspension agent are unaffected by salts which are present in most fertilizer formulations. Coarser and finer powder suspension agent are offered and provide different advantages depending on the type of mixing systems and equipment being used. Foliar applications typically require finer grades of powder suspension agent.

These non-essential ingredients include dispersants, such as a naphthalene sulfonate condensate, suspension aids/stabilizers, such as an acrylate copolymer stabilizer, anti-freezing agents, such as propylene glycol, defoamers, thickeners, such as xanthan gum or modified clay, preservatives, and wetting agents. These non-essential ingredients not only increase the formulation costs, but also increase potential pollution to farm lands and potential health issues for workers.

We have developed a unique formulation technique (patent pending) using a concentrate aqueous fertilizer as a medium to suspend agrochemical powders without any additives or with only a small amount of wetting agent. We call this type of SC a Fertilizer Suspension Concentrate (FSC).

We know that solid agrochemicals are typically heavier than water. In order to stabilize the powders in water, a thickener plus a stabilizer are used to prevent the settling of the powders. In order to prevent freezing of water, an anti-freezing agent is necessary.