INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2026 SEEDWORLD.COM / 21 T he seed industry is entering a period of structural change. Regulatory momentum and increased scrutiny of agricul tural inputs are reshaping how seed treatment systems are evaluated, including a growing shift toward microplastic-free seed coatings. While the direction is clear, the transition itself is complex. Seed treatment formulations must continue to deliver consistent performance in real-world conditions. Core requirements—adhe sion, abrasion resistance, dust-off control, flowability, and plant ability—remain non-negotiable. Any compromise risks disrupt ing treating operations and eroding grower confidence. The challenge is not whether microplastic-free coatings will become standard, but how to manage the transition without introducing performance risk. The Reality Behind Microplastic-Free Expectations In Europe, regulatory frameworks have established formal time lines that are already influencing global practices. Even in regions where requirements are still emerging, expectations are clearly moving in the same direction. This creates a balancing act. Moving too quickly toward un proven alternatives can jeopardize consistency and operational efficiency, while waiting too long can limit available options as timelines compress. Successful transitions in agriculture rarely happen overnight. They depend on careful evaluation and a clear understanding of how new materials perform across crops, equip ment types, and treating environments. Why Performance Trade-Offs Are Not Acceptable Seed coatings play a critical role in protecting seed, ensuring accurate delivery of active ingredients, and enabling smooth PARTNER CONTENT Moving to Microplastic-free Seed Coatings Without Sacrificing Performance By: Shawn Potter, Director, Global Marketing, Michelman handling from treating through planting. Conventional synthetic polymers have been used for decades because they deliver reliable film formation, durability, and adhesion under demanding conditions. Replacing those materials is not an ingredient swap. Microplastic-free systems must replicate—or exceed—the functional performance of existing coatings while integrating seamlessly into established applications. Even small changes in flow or durability can create downstream challenges. For this reason, new solutions must prove themselves not only in the lab, but in commercial treaters and under variable field conditions. Turning Regulation into Readiness The most effective transition strategies start by protecting what already works. Rather than focusing solely on which materials must be removed, performance outcomes remain the foundation for formulation design. Advances in water-based chemistry, bio-based binders, and wax technologies are enabling microplastic-free systems that meet these expectations—when supported by a deep understanding of coating behavior, seed surface interactions, and application dynamics. Developing regulation-ready solutions is not just a chemistry challenge; it is a systems challenge. This is where experience matters. Michelman brings decades of expertise in water-based coatings and adhesion science to support the move toward microplastic-free seed coatings without sacrificing performance. By combining regulatory awareness with formulation knowledge and application testing, the company helps seed companies move from uncertainty to readiness while maintaining the standards growers and customers expect.
View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.