In 2005, Agro applications organized a first formulation course in Sweden. Akzo Surfactants asked its European customers to send their young scientists and technicians. By leveraging the experience of the Formulation Schools that Berol Nobel used to offer years ago, the course included both lectures and lab demonstrations. Experts from Stenungsund, Dobbs Ferry and professors from Swedish universities presented a comprehensive view of surface chemistry basics and in-depth explanations about the typical use of surfactants for Agro formulations, covering emulsification, dispersion, formulation of suspension concentrates, manufacture of water-dispersible granules, and other topics.

Why focus on the young folks? Akzo wants them acquainted with its products and hopes they will share its way of framing and solving agro formulation issues. At the end of the day, it is the bench technician and the young scientist who reach for the samples to be used in a formulation job, and if they’re reaching for the best, they should be picking the Akzo Nobel sample first.

The very positive feedback led Akzo to offer the program again in 2006 and important customers who had already sent people in 2005 sent people again in 2006. In total, 38 young scientists and technicians were trained.

Along with the extensive formulation courses, Surfactants has also presented focused seminars. Adapting from Cleaning & Care’s traditional seminar approach, Akzo presents one-day seminars on specific topics. In this case, more senior and experienced attendees, join to review the chemistry and market trends, and to learn about new discoveries and technologies on a particular subject. A first series of seminars was presented in Brazil, Argentina, and Australia, which focused on adjuvancy. It helped Akzo to introduce a new line of adjuvants for fungicides, a subject that is in high demand, especially in the markets affected by Asian Soy Rust (a fungal disease).

Customer feedback on the seminars has been excellent, and several new developments were initiated after those events.   For 2007, the plan is to present new seminars focused on dispersion and water-soluble granules formulation in both South America and China. Furthermore, concise versions of the formulation course will be presented in Russia, Southern Europe, and possibly in the US.