Ashland launches biodegradable seed coating polymer for agriculture

Ashland has introduced a new seed coating polymer designed to help growers improve crop performance while addressing tightening sustainability and regulatory requirements. The product, branded agrimer eco-coat, is made from the company’s Transformed Vegetable Oils (TVO) technology platform and is positioned as a biodegradable, non-microplastic alternative to conventional seed coatings.

The specialty ingredients company based in Wilmington, Del. said the new polymer improves dust-off reduction, active ingredient retention, and efficiency at lower application levels. That, in turn, could deliver higher yields with less waste across vegetable, grain, fruit, and floral crops.

Ashland emphasized the material’s environmental credentials, describing it as inherently biodegradable and free of bioaccumulation risks. The polymer is derived from agricultural byproducts and complies with recent European Union restrictions on microplastics.

“Scaling our Transformed Vegetable Oils technology from personal care into agriculture allows us to offer superior seed coating efficacy while meeting growers’ environmental and regulatory demands,” said Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and general manager of life sciences at Ashland.

Seed coatings are a growing segment within the crop protection industry, as they enable more precise delivery of active ingredients and reduce product loss. Regulatory scrutiny of polymer binders has intensified in recent years, with governments pushing to eliminate microplastics from agricultural inputs. Ashland’s move reflects broader efforts by agrochemical suppliers to close the gap between sustainability and performance.

“Eco-coat represents a step forward in aligning grower economics with stewardship,” said Jean Jacques Gulka, Ashland’s crop care business director.

Ashland, which employs nearly 3,000 people worldwide, supplies additives and specialty ingredients to industries ranging from personal care and pharmaceuticals to construction and energy. The launch of agrimer eco-coat extends its push to leverage its bio-based chemistry platform in new markets.