Agform provides facilities and expertise for both the development and manufacture of agrochemical formulations. From the conception of a new product, through to final production, Agform can utilise the expertise and facilities we have developed, to support your development and marketing plans.

Germination

When  the product development objective is defined by the client, often with close consultation with Agform, a preliminary feasibility study is carried out at our technology centre in Southampton. These studies are normally carried out under a non-disclosure agreement, usually at no cost to the client, in order to provide the possible solution to the clients' problem or opportunity. Preliminary samples are often produced, to better communicate the initial ideas and define the commercial benefits the development may bring. Due to the advanced equipment and techniques  employed, the initial work can be completed with gram quantities of the active. Agform's predictive, computerised approach to the selection of ingredients can often reduce the duration of the development to a matter of weeks, ensuring the best possible product is developed in the most cost-effective way. An approach that frees our chemists to create new solutions and new opportunities. 

Cultivation

Agform is well-equipped to support the development of a new product, from the initial formulation development, through to final packaging. Our extensive experience with many different types of active ingredients and improved formulations has given us the capability to support their development at all stages. We have found that close collaboration with our clients in the testing and evaluation of the product for physical, chemical and biological performance is the best way to ensure that it will meet the demands of the market place and regulatory bodies. The constant evaluation of the formulations during the early stages of development and storage testing and continual improvement in properties we strive for prior to initiation of field evaluation and registration, ensures that the final product is robust and well tested. This provides the basis for the healthy growth necessary for any new product and the potential for a long life in an ever more demanding market place.

Growth

As the demands of the market place and regulatory bodies grow, so do Agform's resources to meet them.
The need for the thorough testing of products means that the quantities required for the evaluation of these new formulations is greater than ever. In addition, market testing is vital in the introduction of new products. Agform has pilot and semi-plant facilities for the provision of intermediate quantities of product from kilo to tonne amounts. What is more important than these facilities, however, is the ability to provide a seamless scale-up from the earliest samples provided for evaluation, to tonne quantities at late-stage development. This means that our clients can have complete confidence in the maintenance of formulation properties at all stages of manufacture.
As with our research techniques, this is accomplished by the measurement and control of all important process conditions during the preparation of a product. The importance of the measurement and control of our processes has been demonstrated by our development of new process equipment for the manufacture of both dispersible granules and microcapsules. This equipment has demonstrated new levels of consistency and performance for a number of products in the market place and provided real commercial advantages. Our process development capabilities provide the key ingredients for successful production, uniformity and consistency.

Harvest

Continual improvements in Agform's facilities provide the capabilities and capacity to serve our customers and deliver the goods. Agform has committed itself to providing the best manufacturing facilities, in order to manufacture the best formulations. In addition to a small plant for the manufacture of up to 1,000 tonnes of extruded dispersible granules per year, we have recently commissioned a new
plant with a capacity of up to 3,000 tonnes per year. This plant includes a state-of-the-art air-milling facility. The plants have been designed and built to the highest standards, for both cleanliness, environmental and worker protection. Clean-down is accomplished quickly end efficiently, due to the sanitary stainless steel construction and tiled surfaces.
Certification of the cleanliness of the plant prior to a production run is provided by pharmaceutical-style swab testing. Explosion-suppression systems are fitted to the mill to eliminate the possibility of dust explosions, together with pressure resistant construction being used on the rest of the plant. Total containment of active material within the plant is ensured by the use of multi-filter systems at the venting stacks with HEPA and/or carbon filters being used. Full quality control is maintained at all stages of production, with the same high standards that our many corporate clients demand in their own plants. Packaging into 0.5 - 25 kilo containers is also carrried out on site, ensuring a complete service in one facility.
 

Whatever your formulation needs are, Agform is committed to support you, from the germination of new ideas to delivering the goods to market.

 

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Last modified: 07/05/06