Plant surface adherent biodegradable polymers for targeted pesticide release
Biodegradable, non-microplastic-forming polymer carriers engineered to adhere to plant surfaces and deliver pesticides in a controlled manner. These powder and mulch-film formulations reduce pesticide volume, minimize runoff, and enable season-long protection through UV-activated or environmentally stimulated release.
Overview
This technology addresses the inefficiencies and environmental concerns of conventional pesticide application, such as runoff, overspray, and rapid dilution of active ingredients. By embedding or compounding pesticides within biodegradable polymer carriers, the platform enables targeted, controlled release directly on the plant surface. The result is a significant reduction in the total pesticide quantity required while maintaining or extending protective efficacy across the growing season.
The solution supports multiple form factors, including foliage-applied powders and soil-applied mulch films, giving growers and formulators flexibility in deployment. Because the polymers are designed to be fully degradable without forming microplastics, the technology aligns with increasing regulatory and market pressure for sustainable agricultural inputs.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Polymer-pesticide hybrids that adhere to plant surfaces and release active ingredients over time
- Two delivery strategies under development: UV-activated release from polymer-embedded pesticides and compounding of less-toxic, volatile pesticides into degradable polymer matrices
- Chemically integrated pesticide architectures that release payload upon environmental exposure while remaining inert during handling
Form factors and materials:
- Foliage-applied powders for direct plant surface treatment
- Mulch films for soil-applied deployment
- Compatibility with commercially available biodegradable plastics as carrier matrices
- Non-microplastic-forming degradable polymers, including novel polyesters
Design objectives:
- Maximize plant surface adhesion
- Optimize time-release profile for season-long protection
- Ensure complete polymer deterioration with no residual microplastic contamination
Technology readiness level
The program is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development. Greenhouse trials are underway to evaluate UV-activated polymer-embedded pesticides for insecticide activity, and laboratory hydrolysis studies are characterizing release behavior from compounded powder formulations. Next steps include formulating pesticide-embedded powders and mulch films using commercially available biodegradable plastics, conducting tandem greenhouse and laboratory tests to measure efficacy, payload release rate, and polymer degradation rate, and demonstrating proof-of-concept polyesters with chemically embedded pesticides that release active ingredients only upon environmental exposure.
About Saber Chemical, Inc.
Saber Chemical, Inc. specializes in the development and commercialization of compostable core-shell particles (CCSPs) designed to enhance the performance of bioplastics. By integrating these CCSPs into materials such as PLA, PHA, PBS, PBT, PBAT, TPS, and PCL, the company produces performance-grade pellets that offer increased toughness, often achieving greater than 200 J/m Izod impact strength, while maintaining ASTM D6400 compostability. This technology, which originated from NSF-funded research, utilizes glycerol-ketal acrylates to create nanoscale particles that improve material properties without sacrificing environmental sustainability. The company's innovations are designed to be compatible with standard industrial manufacturing processes, including twin-screw compounding, extrusion, and injection molding.
These solutions are targeted at converters and manufacturers in sectors such as packaging, consumer goods, agricultural films, and medical devices who require high-performance, sustainable material alternatives. By providing a scalable approach to material modification, Saber Chemical assists partners in developing durable, compostable products that meet demanding mechanical and thermal requirements. The company engages with customers through technical data support, sample requests, and collaborative research and development efforts, leveraging expertise in polymer chemistry and sustainable monomer synthesis to facilitate the adoption of its additives in commercial applications.
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