Microencapsulation and structured particles

Microencapsulation for your application!

Microencapsulation is a technology that can be used to reformulate active ingredients. This allows liquids or pastes to be converted into particles and more easily incorporated into products, such as dispersions, hydrogels, duromers, thermoplastics. Microencapsulation also makes it possible to effectively protect the encapsulated substance either in the processing step and/or in the final product. If required, the active ingredient can be released in a controlled manner. This conserves resources and protects the environment. Microcapsules are used in agriculture, the food industry, polymer processing, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

We would be happy to develop fully biobased and/or biodegradable microcapsules and particles for your specific application!

What can microcapsules do?

What are microcapsules?

Microcapsules are particles in the size range of 1 - 1000 µm that can contain various active ingredients in solid, liquid or gaseous form. The morphology of microcapsules can vary from core-shell particles to matrix particles. By tailoring the size, distribution, shape, composition and surface structure, we can create functional profiles and optimal processing properties to meet specific needs.

How are microcapsules manufactured?

Our extensive experience and knowledge of the phase behavior of various active ingredients allows us to predict and precisely control the particle structure and the resulting properties.

We use an extented portfolio of polymers as wall materials:

• natural polymers: cellulose and cellulose derivatives, gelatin, gum arabic, alginate, carrageenan, chitosan, plant proteins, etc.
• synthetic polymers: melamine-formaldehyde resins, polyurethanes and polyureas, polyamides, silicones, and silica-based polymers

We use a variety of processes to manufacture microcapsules and are happy to combine them to achieve the best possible result for our customers. Benefit from our extensive expertise in emulsion-based processes, spray drying, droplet formation and coating.

Self-lubricating composite materials thanks to microcapsules!

There are a variety of applications in which plastics and composite materials are exposed to friction. Plastics manufacturers therefore integrate solid lubricants to reduce the wear of plastic components. However, there are only a relatively small number of solid lubricants that are suitable for plastics processing. In contrast, there is a much wider range of liquid lubricants, some of which are more effective, but most of them cannot withstand high temperatures.

Together with our partner SKZ, we are developing microcapsules filled with liquid lubricants. They combine the advantages of both worlds: They can be processed as powders like dry lubricants, but act like liquid lubricants once they are released.