b'PARTNER CONTENTDeveloping SlipShine Microplastic-free Dry Seed FinisherS eed companies are looking for peace of mind and confidencees seed integrity and handling speed. In the 2020-21 crop year, when switching from a high-performing, hydrocarbon- SlipShine was applied to about 60 million lbs. of seed. derived seed treatment solution to a natural alternative.Seed processors immediately noted stunning performance The challenge with natural alternatives is that nature does notimprovements concerning the speed of seed handling. The seed always deliver products with high consistency when comparedjust bags faster, they observed. Once SlipShine has gone through to hard chemistry. Kannar listened to seed companies desiresits polymerization phase within the first minute after application, and developed a microplastic-free seed lubricity agent ahead ofit creates a slick, eggshell-like coating on each seed. This shell impending EU regulations that ban the use of microplastics inpromotes greater flowability and helps protects seeds against seed treatment formulations. In 2020, Kannar Earth Science, Ltd.further mechanical damage during handling. introduced SlipShine, a high-performing, dry seed finisher that is free from microplastics.Early in SlipShines development, Heather Lewis in Kannars seed lab studied many natural, microplastic-free candidates to evaluate their performance when used in a dry product.Some essential requirements were to provide lubricity on the seed sur-face, reduce dust-off and improve seed appearance and safety.One of Kannars core values is to keep theWe looked at how the ingredients come together and under- environment in mind while reaching its goals. took rigorous and extensive testing, Lewis says. We wanted to make sure that the finished product performed well and that the elimination of microplastics would not come at the expense of something else. We always want to make sure the seeds look is as enhancing as the technology itself. To accomplish all these differ-ent factors, we examined quite a few different possibilities.Meanwhile, in Kannars microbial lab, Justin KwiatkowskiSeed bridging in hoppers, boxes and tenders, wet-treated seed evaluated the products compatibility with various seed-appliednot drying and seed requiring growers to reduce planting speed microbes, whether they be gram-positive or gram-negative. Kan- because it is not flowing properly: these are real problems, says nars agronomy team studied various products effects on crop es- Sam Cloete, Kannar CEO. With SlipShine, we offer a solution that tablishment, germination safety, the impact on the rhizosphere,can be easily adopted without disruption of existing technologies. on the roots, etc.That is a real solution.The agronomic development of SlipShine was guided by oneOne of Kannars core values is to keep the environment in of Kannars core values: promote ideal agriculture. Our deci- mind while reaching its goals. Considerable work and research sions were made for us as we selected whatever was best for thewere devoted to developing ingredient ratios, Lewis says. For environment, best for the growers, best for the workers who useexample, we put our treated seed through different seed han-the product, Kwiatkowski explains. We are always looking todling and planting apparatus to make sure that dust-off was not promote safety and confidence in a seed treatment package,a problem. We made sure it would flow well through everybodys especially when combining with biologicals or additional chem- equipment from start to finish. We looked at the product from istries. quite a few different perspectives to develop a product optimal for use, performance and appearance.First-Year Success We never want to look at something we have brought to mar-Kannar was pleasantly surprised with the seed industrys initialket and consider that it is the best it could be, Cloete says.Even adoption of SlipShine 6300 dry seed-finisher. As the worlds firstif a product is something we really like, we continually wonder microplastic-free, dry seed-applied technology, SlipShine alsohow it could be improved. We never stop working to improve our promotes on-seed drying of seed treatment solutions and increas- products.JUNE 2021SEEDWORLD.COM /53'