Seed treatment is entering a new era. Regulatory changes, rising sustainability expectations, and the emergence of increasingly complex seed treatment technologies are reshaping the requirements for modern seed coating applications. As these challenges converge, seed companies need innovative solutions that deliver both performance and sustainability.
The seed treatment industry is preparing for a major shift as Europe’s restriction on intentionally added microplastics comes into force in 2028. Similar sustainability-driven initiatives are emerging in other regions, while many global seed treatment companies are already adopting microplastic-free strategies worldwide, regardless of local regulations.
To help the industry anticipate this evolution, Syensqo has developed a complete portfolio of microplastic-free seed coating solutions. The range includes more than a dozen products designed to address diverse crop types and application requirements, from standard film coatings to encrusting technologies under the Peridiam® brand. The portfolio provides seed companies with the flexibility to transition to microplastic-free technologies across a wide range of crops and treatment processes while upholding the performance standards required by the industry.
Beyond regulatory compliance, sustainability is becoming a key driver for the seed treatment industry. Companies are under growing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining the coating performance, seed quality, and processability required by modern seed treatment operations.
To support this evolution, Syensqo is embedding sustainability across its seed coating portfolio through responsible sourcing practices, reduced deforestation-related impacts, and the replacement of selected substances of concern. As part of this effort, the company recently reviewed its cereal coating range to transition toward more sustainably sourced raw materials. Syensqo is also implementing a Renewable Carbon Initiative metric, providing greater transparency on the renewable carbon content of its formulations and enabling customers to better assess the contribution of seed coating technologies to their sustainability objectives.
The introduction of new seed treatment technologies is creating increasingly complex formulation challenges. Novel insecticides and bird repellents often exhibit demanding physicochemical properties that can impact seed flowability, dust-off performance, and coating homogeneity if not properly managed. At the same time, the growing adoption of biological seed treatments based on microorganisms introduces an additional challenge: maintaining microbial viability throughout seed treatment, storage, and planting.
To help customers successfully bring these innovations to market, Syensqo supports the development of optimized coating recipes tailored to the specific requirements of new active ingredients. Syensqo combines deep expertise in seed coating technologies with decades of experience in crop protection formulation development and a broad portfolio of co-formulants. This unique combination enables the company to address compatibility challenges and optimize the performance of increasingly complex seed treatment formulations.
For biological seed treatments, Syensqo offers Peridiam Active 319, the first generation of a technology specifically developed to extend the shelf life of microorganisms applied to seeds. The company continues to invest in new solutions that will further facilitate the application of biologicals on seed, supporting the transition toward more sustainable agricultural practices.
As the seed treatment landscape continues to evolve, seed coating technologies are becoming a strategic enabler of innovation. By combining regulatory readiness, sustainability leadership, and formulation expertise, Syensqo is helping seed companies navigate today’s challenges while preparing for the next generation of seed treatment solutions.
