Formulation Technologies

 

Examples of products developed from formulation technology are detergents, paints, lotions, lubrication oils, etc. Formulated chemical products are omnipresent, and used just as much in everyday life as in industrial applications. Basic formulations, such as emulsions, are employed in diverse applications like carrier systems in injection drug delivery or lubrication in hot rolling of aluminum.

Colloid and Interface Science

Similar technical challenges are faced in the development of these two very different emulsions products. For most applications the emulsion formulation must meet specified criteria such as controlled droplet size, sufficient shelf-life stability, limited total surfactant concentration or regulatory requirements.

The fact that seemingly unrelated application areas face similar technical challenges with formulation technology should be coupled to the central role of applied colloid and interface science. Colloid and interface science is the underpinning science for many formulation technology areas, as illustrated by the importance of controlled-release mechanisms, colloid stabilization, shelf-life stability, rheology and substrate-surface interactions.

This central importance of colloid technology naturally puts YKI in a very good position to advance formulation technology. YKI’s fundamental studies of colloidal systems are well known, and it is striking that surfactant phase diagrams established at YKI by Ekwall and co-workers in the 1970’s are still used by formulation scientists.

YKI - A Comprehensive Resource

YKI has a strong background in contract formulation development. It rests on the knowledge of phase behavior of surfactant systems, both single surfactants as well as complicated multi-component systems. Through knowledge of the phase behavior tailor made systems can be designed. Hence, liquid crystalline phases can be developed in order to stabilize emulsions or to thicken a consumer product. Knowledge of the phase behavior also allows the formulation of microemulsions and miniemulsions.

High Quality Equipment

YKI equipment is designed for the preparation of liquid systems as well as several solid formulations. The instrument park for characterization of formulated systems features both state-of-the-art scientific instruments, and high-capacity equipment for rapid measurement of particle size, stability, phase mapping, etc. These instrumentation facilities are an essential asset for performing high quality and efficient formulation development projects.

Development

For food, pharmaceutical, biotechnical, agrochemical, chemical, personal care, cleaning, printing, coating, manufacturing, transport and mining industries, among others, the needs for advance formulation technology calls for development on several fronts:

Innovative full formulation development

• Liquid, emulsion and foam formulations
• Solid formulations
• Coating and adhesive formulations
• Lubricant formulations
• Nanoformulations
• Chocolate formulation and lipid technology

Rapid formulation and process technologies

• Rational formulation (for self-emulsifying systems and lubricants)
• Process analytical technologies
• Formulation shelf-life and stability assessment
• High throughput screening

Clean reformulation

• Formulating for greater energy efficiencies, less waste, lower cost and increased performance
• Regulatory driven formulations
• Healthy and clean label reformulation of foods
• Use of bio-friendly ingredients for enhanced environmental profile and performance
• Bioderived, biodegradable and labile surfactants
• Reprocessing, recycling and reclamation including floatation and flocculation
• Biofuel formulation and replacement of toxic fuel and lube additives
• Low temperature effectiveness