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Background
BASF is an industry leading chemicals company creating solutions for a sustainable future. The company is seeking biodegradable micro-encapsulation technologies for active ingredients.
BASF is particularly interested in non-microplastic core / shell particles to encapsulate hydrophobic active ingredients, where microplastic is solid particle >1 nm containing a non-biodegradable polymer.
Scientific challenges associated with developing a biodegradable capsule with extended release include lack of methods to adjust tightness of capsules without compromising of biodegradability. Conventional approaches, such as capsule size, shell wall thickness, shell wall polymer MW, may impact capsule tightness to less extend as desired, while chemical bonding through crosslinking (most effective way) may eventually compromise polymer biodegradability. Additionally, it is difficult to achieve desired capsule size (e.g., around 2 micron), which poses potential commercialization limitations, such as product shelf life and drone applicability.
What we're looking for
BASF is seeking a biodegradable encapsulation material for hydrophobic active ingredients. Core-shell morphologies are of high interest, but relevant matrix capsules and other morphologies will be considered.
Solutions of interest include:
- Active ingredients could be assumed as hydrophobic liquid at 25C
- Capsule sizes should ideally be d(50) < ~ 6 μm and d(90) < ~15 μm
- The active ingredient concentration to be encapsulated is >10%
- The tightness of capsules / active ingredient release profile is adjustable
- A >90% encapsulation efficiency is ideal
- Cost-effective solution: ideally <~20 $/kg for the capsule material and < ~2 $/kg for manufacturing
- Biodegradable as per ISO 17556:2012: 90% ultimate degradation in soil at 12 °C within 24 months
Our must-have requirements are:
- Suspension in water or oil
- Safe chemistry that doesn’t introduce hazardous substances or generate microplastics
Our nice-to-have's are:
- Green chemistry approaches: polymers from natural sources/resources
- > TRL3 technology has been developed for licensing / commercialization
What's out of scope:
- PU/PA based chemistries
- Dry/powder encapsulants
Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL):
Levels 3-9
What we can offer you
Eligible partnership models:
Sponsored researchSupply/purchase
Benefits:
Sponsored Research
We will screen the potential ideas and depending on the maturity level, set up a sponsored research collaboration (typically $50k-$150k for a one-year collaboration).Expertise
Decades of industrial expertise and institutional knowledgeTools and Technologies
Trials with experimental materials, support with BASF raw materials and active ingredients, and characterization/testing of encapsulant materials.Who we are
As a global chemical company, we operate in diverse markets with varying requirements. To ensure responsible conduct and maintain our license to operate, we are guided by our core values and standards. These values shape our daily actions and foster respectful relationships with colleagues, customers, and partners.
Our teams are committed to putting health and safety first, making sustainability a part of every decision, and meeting strict compliance and environmental standards. We embrace diversity—in people, perspectives, and experiences—and promote open feedback grounded in honesty, respect, and trust. We see setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve.
Learn moreReviewers
RG
Rohini Gupta
Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance
Emir Islamovic
Innovation and Partnership Manager
LJ
Lauren Junker
Technology Scout
TH
Tom Holcombe
Collaboration & Scouting NA
KB
Kavita Bitra
Technology scout
SS
Sophia Steffens
Innovation & Scouting
MF
Megan Franklin
Innovation Scout
Q&A with BASF
The Q&A is now closed.
Sort by:
Most upvoted
Q.
What types of ingredients are you looking to release from the particles? (Drugs, ions, etc) Thank you!
SS
March 22, 2024
6
A.
Hydrophobic liquid active ingredient
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
April 9, 2024
Is this response helpful?
2
0
Q.
What type of delivery is this RFP targeting? (oral, topical, etc)
SS
March 22, 2024
5
A.
Pesticide sprayed onto targeted plant surface.
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
April 9, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Do you have a specific pH level in mind for the encapsulation? Could the release of the active ingredient be influenced by pH?
2
Q.
Hello, please explain how these points are corresponded:
The active ingredient concentration to be encapsulated is >10%
A >90% encapsulation efficiency is ideal
Active ingredient should be encapsulated from water medium?
1
A.
Capsules to be suspended in water as continuous phase, where the a.i. concentration in the final suspension to be > 10%, 90 of which should be inside in the capsules.
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
April 9, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
In your "out of scope" requirements, does PU/PA stand for Polyurea, Polyurethane, and Polyacrylate chemistries, or do those acronyms refer to other chemistries?
JD
March 24, 2024
1
A.
Yes, PU is polyurethane and PA is polyacrylate
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
March 28, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Are there requirements on the color of the microcapsule slurry (does it have to be off-white), or would brown-colored slurry be acceptable? What pH formulation will these capsules be formulated into?
JD
March 25, 2024
1
A.
No color requirement. pH should be within 4-8.
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
April 9, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
what are the stability success criteria (temperature/time, and relevant test methods you can share) that we need to pass prior to submitting prototypes?
JD
March 25, 2024
1
A.
Capsule suspension stable for minimum 2 years at ambient temperature. For prototypes, it is ok within a few month stability.
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
April 9, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
You request a target of $20/kg for capsule material and $2/kg for manufacturing. Does this mean we have a target price of the sum of these two for a total of $22/kg?
AG
March 29, 2024
1
A.
Yes, rough target is <$20-25/kg.
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
April 9, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Can you please share the rules regarding IP ownership, technical data rights, data ownership, and any awardee obligations? Thank you!
LL
April 24, 2024
1
A.
Depends on the situation and will be determined as per negotiations.
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
April 24, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
What are the deliverables expected at the end of the project?
1
Q.
For the hydrophobic lipid, do they contain any functinal groups, like phosphate, carboxyl or amine group? Thanks.
1
Q.
It is mentioned that 'The tightness of capsules / active ingredient release profile is adjustable.' What profile is suitable and under what conditions?
1
Q.
In the description of validated lab conditions, mention has been made of mouse models or genetically modified plants. To clarify, are we solely focusing on the simple degradation of the coating in soil conditions?
1
Q.
What is the preferred way that the product will be applied? Any suggestions on how they would like to see the biodegradability?
1
Q.
How soon will applicants hear back after pre-proposal submission?
LL
April 25, 2024
1
Q.
Hello, thank you posting this opportunity. Is BASF open to yeast based technologies capable of producing and delivering bioeffector molecules? We work with partners with a JDA to develop the end product for licensing.
1
A.
Yes, we are open to any approach.
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
March 7, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
Q.
Contact Claude TARANTA @ BASF to discuss about what we did together on bio-based polymers enzymatically modified by natural alkyl chains for stabilization/micro-encapsulation of active ingredients for crop protection
1
Q.
You state in your must-have requirements: "suspension in water or oil” Do you mean that the microcapsules should be suspendable/dispersible BOTH in water AND in oil? Or do you mean that the microcapsules should be suspendable/dispersible EITHER in water OR in oil?
1
A.
OR: Of cause, the preference is suspended in water
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
March 7, 2024
Is this response helpful?
1
0
Q.
Our microcapsules (polymer based) are obtained using green processes from plant material and are 30 μm diameter. Is the size of our microcapsules outside the scope of the call?
1
A.
Capsule sizes should ideally be d(50) < ~ 6 μm and d(90) < ~15 μm
RG
Rohini Gupta, Innovation Manager, Academic Research Alliance, BASF
March 8, 2024
Is this response helpful?
0
0
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