Organoclay for Agrochemical SC & EC Formulations

Name: CP-WBS Water-Based Organoclay
SKU: CP-WBS

In agrochemical formulations, organoclay is used at 2–6 wt% of the total formulation as an anti-settling and suspension aid. It builds yield structure so dense active particles remain suspended during storage. Water-based SC formulations require a water-dispersible grade such as CP-EW or CP-WBS; solvent-based EC formulations require an organically modified grade such as CP-RL or CP-180, with the activator and mixing sequence selected for the solvent system. The final dosage must be established in the actual active ingredient, dispersant, binder and storage conditions.

Why Do SC Formulations Settle in Storage?

Pesticide suspension concentrates combine solid active ingredients with water, dispersants and other formulation components. Dense particles can settle during storage when the continuous phase does not provide enough yield structure to resist gravity.

Hard cake: compacted sediment that is difficult to redisperse and can make the product unusable.
Soft sediment: a settled layer that can be returned to suspension with the specified mixing or shaking procedure.
High solids: greater particle loading and density generally increase the required suspension structure.
Temperature cycling: changes in viscosity and particle interaction can make storage performance different from the initial laboratory result.

How Does Organoclay Keep Active Ingredients Suspended?

Water-dispersible organoclay hydrates and separates into a platelet structure in the aqueous phase. The hydrated platelets form a network that creates yield stress at rest. Under mixing or pouring shear, the structure breaks down enough for the product to flow; after shear stops, it rebuilds and helps slow particle movement.

Yield Stress Is What Matters — Not Just Viscosity

A high Brookfield viscosity value alone does not prove that an SC will resist settling or redisperse easily. Formulators should also compare yield behaviour, settled-layer hardness, redispersibility and viscosity recovery after storage. The correct grade is the one that gives the finished formulation the required balance of storage stability and application flow.

Which Grade Is Suitable for SC and Which for EC?

System	Recommended grade	Continuous phase	Polar activator	Product page
Water-based SC	CP-EW	Water	Not required	CP-EW
High-solids or high-density SC	CP-WBS	Water	Not required	CP-WBS
Solvent-based EC	CP-RL or CP-180	Petroleum or aromatic solvent	Grade- and system-dependent; typically 20–30% of organoclay weight	CP-RL · CP-180

Do not use the same grade automatically in both systems. CP-EW and CP-WBS are designed for water-based dispersion. CP-RL and CP-180 are organically modified grades for organic solvent systems. Confirm the final selection with a laboratory screen in the actual formulation.

Water-Based SC — CP-EW or CP-WBS?

CP-EW is the standard starting point and forms a gel in water at concentrations of at least 2%. CP-WBS is intended for systems that require a stronger aqueous gel structure; its published viscosity is 10,000–13,000 mPa·s at 10% in water. High active-particle density, high solids or a demanding storage period may justify screening CP-WBS.

Solvent-Based EC — Organically Modified Grades

Solvent-based EC systems use a different chemistry. Pre-disperse the selected organically modified grade in the solvent, then follow the grade-specific activation and high-shear procedure. Do not add a solvent-based grade directly to the water phase and expect the same hydration behaviour as CP-EW or CP-WBS.

How Much Organoclay Should You Add?

Use 2–6 wt% of the total formulation as the development range for SC and EC screening. Do not treat the range as a guaranteed commercial dosage. The optimum level depends on active-particle density, total solids, dispersant package, solvent or water phase, pH, temperature and required storage period.

Formulation type	Development range	Primary function	Screening note
Suspension concentrate (SC)	2–6 wt% of total formulation	Suspension and yield structure	Higher solids and denser active particles may require screening toward the upper end
Suspo-emulsion (SE)	2–6 wt% of total formulation	Suspension support and flow control	Check compatibility with both the dispersed solid and emulsion phase
Emulsifiable concentrate (EC)	2–6 wt% of total formulation	Rheology and phase stability	Use an organically modified grade and verify activator compatibility
WP / WDG slurry or premix	2–6 wt% of total formulation	Suspension during preparation and storage	Test wetting, grind quality and redispersibility in the intended process

A practical screening design is 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and 6%, followed by measurements of yield behaviour, viscosity, 30-day static settling, hard-cake formation and redispersibility. Keep the same weight basis and test procedure across all samples.

How Do You Incorporate Organoclay into an SC or EC Formulation?

Water-Based SC Procedure

Prepare the water phase and check that pH is within the CP-EW / CP-WBS working range of 7.0–8.0.
Add the water-dispersible grade directly to the water phase and apply high shear until it is hydrated.
Add the active slurry and other components after the clay structure has developed.
Complete the grinding and dispersion process, then adjust the formulation only after checking viscosity and settling.

Do not add a polar activator to the water-based SC procedure. CP-EW and CP-WBS are selected for direct water dispersion.

Solvent-Based EC Procedure

Pre-disperse CP-RL or CP-180 in the selected petroleum or aromatic solvent under high shear.
Where required by the grade and formulation, add 95% ethanol or methanol at 20–30% of organoclay weight and continue mixing.
Add the active ingredient, emulsifier and remaining components, then check the finished EC for flow, suspension and phase stability.

Use ethanol where methanol is restricted by the customer’s process or compliance requirements. The activator percentage is based on organoclay weight, not total formulation weight.

Why Does pH Matter in Water-Based Systems?

CP-EW and CP-WBS have a published optimal pH range of 7.0–8.0. Because agrochemical formulations can contain acidic or alkaline auxiliaries, measure pH after the full formulation is assembled. If the system falls outside the working range, recheck hydration and yield structure before increasing the clay dosage.

What Goes Wrong and How Can You Fix It?

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
Hard cake after storage	Insufficient yield structure, unsuitable grade or incomplete dispersion	Confirm the continuous phase, review grade selection and repeat the 2–6 wt% screen with controlled hydration or activation
Settling but easy redispersion	Soft sediment may be acceptable for the product specification	Define the customer’s redispersibility requirement and compare the same storage and mixing protocol across samples
Viscosity too high to pour or spray	Dosage or gel strength is higher than the process requires	Screen a lower level while checking settling, application flow and viscosity recovery
No viscosity increase	Wrong grade, incomplete hydration, unsuitable pH or incorrect activation sequence	Use a water grade in SC, check pH 7.0–8.0, or review solvent wetting and activation in EC
Viscosity falls after hot storage	Clay network is not stable in the finished system or the formulation changes with temperature	Compare grades using matched accelerated-storage samples and measure viscosity before and after storage
Particles or agglomerates after mixing	Powder was added too late, wetting was incomplete or a solvent grade was used in water	Hydrate CP-EW or CP-WBS before adding the active slurry; use an organically modified grade only in the solvent phase

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best organoclay for a pesticide suspension concentrate (SC)?

For a water-based pesticide suspension concentrate, start with CP-EW as the standard water-dispersible grade. Use CP-WBS when the formulation has high solids, dense active particles or needs a stronger aqueous gel structure. Both grades should be screened in the actual active ingredient, dispersant and binder system before the final grade and dosage are selected.

How much organoclay do I add to an SC formulation?

Use 2–6 wt% of the total formulation as a formulation-development range for an agrochemical suspension system. The optimum level must be established by testing because active-particle density, solids content, dispersant package, pH and storage temperature all change the required yield structure. A practical screen is 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% and 6%, followed by storage and redispersibility checks.

Can I use the same organoclay in both water-based SC and solvent-based EC?

No. Water-based SC and solvent-based EC require different organoclay chemistries. Use a water-dispersible grade such as CP-EW or CP-WBS for SC. Use an organically modified grade such as CP-RL or CP-180 for EC in an organic solvent system. A solvent-based hydrophobic grade can agglomerate in water, while a water-dispersible grade is not the correct rheology additive for an EC solvent phase.

Does organoclay need a polar activator in an agrochemical formulation?

The answer depends on the formulation type. CP-EW and CP-WBS for water-based SC are dispersed directly in water and do not require a polar activator. Solvent-based EC systems using organically modified grades may use 95% ethanol or methanol at 20–30% of organoclay weight after solvent wetting and before final formulation adjustment. Keep the dosage basis separate: organoclay is measured against total formulation weight, while activator is measured against organoclay weight.

What pH range does water-based organoclay need?

CP-EW and CP-WBS have a published optimal pH range of 7.0–8.0 in water-based systems. Agrochemical formulations often contain acidic or alkaline auxiliaries, so check pH after the active ingredient, dispersant and other additives are incorporated. If the finished system moves outside the working range, recheck hydration, yield structure, viscosity and storage settling rather than assuming that a higher dosage will solve the problem.

Why is my SC still caking at the bottom after adding organoclay?

Caking can result from an unsuitable grade, insufficient yield stress, incomplete hydration or a dosage that is too low for the active-particle density and solids loading. Confirm that the system uses a water-dispersible grade, keep the pH within the working range, hydrate the clay before adding the active slurry, and screen the 2–6 wt% development range. Measure both settled-layer hardness and redispersibility after storage.

What is the difference between CP-EW and CP-WBS?

CP-EW is the standard water-dispersible grade and forms a gel in water at concentrations of at least 2%. CP-WBS is the higher-viscosity grade, with a published viscosity of 10,000–13,000 mPa·s at 10% in water. Use CP-EW for standard water-based suspension control. Consider CP-WBS when the SC has high solids, dense active particles or requires a stronger gel structure, then confirm the choice in the finished formulation.

Does organoclay affect the biological efficacy of the active ingredient?

Organoclay is used as an inorganic rheology and suspension aid, not as the biological active ingredient. Its effect on biological efficacy depends on the specific active ingredient, particle size, release behaviour and complete formulation. Do not assume equivalence from a rheology test alone. Verify compatibility and biological performance with the finished formulation and the appropriate efficacy testing before commercial use.

Organoclay for Agrochemical Formulations — SC and EC Systems