b'PARTNER CONTENTAgrocer Colorants: Providing vibrant solutions in todays challenging AGRO market. 2 020 has proven to be a very challenging year. COVID-19 hasUsability and Customizationchanged the way we live and fundamentally affected thePreviously, the basic range for seed colorants consisted of global economy. The impact that the pandemic has had onred, blue, green and violet. With EPA approval of Clariants agriculture, specifically the international trade of seed, is stillAgrocer pigments Yellow 1 and Red 112, virtually any shade to be determined. The Organization for Economic Cooperationis possible. These two pigments complete the color palette, and Development (OECD) has called for the agriculture sector toallowing customers to design their seed products with the be classified as essential in all countries to ensure the continuedsafeguard of knowing they are compliant, safe, reliable, production and movement of seed1.and can be marketed internationally, says Self. Available in Todays AGRO market is more competitive than ever withliquid, granular and powdered options, in any package size AGRO companies, seed treaters and farmers alike looking for bet- required, the different handling forms provide flexibility and ter options to some of the challenges they face around identifica- compliment any level of expertise or technical capacity at a tion, value, safety, branding and inventory. This is where superiorcustomer site. Agrocer products are also formulated with a color solutions come into the picture.high pigment load, meaning that weight for weight they can Even outside of these challenging times, seeds are an expen- cost less than traditional colorants. sive component for a farmer, they continue to increase in value year-after-year. In the United States, the Environmental Protec- Taking Color Applications a Step Furthertion Agency mandates that all seeds treated with a biological orAgrocer can help grow brand recognition for seed products chemical pesticide be color treated as an identification tool. Whywith specific colors, making seeds recognizable and, more not make color work for you? asks Mark Self, market segmentimportantly, distinguishable. Companies can use color manager for Special Applications, Business Unit Pigments Northin their marketing, creating additional value by utilizing America at Clariant.a specific color to identify and brand their seeds. Safety Clariants Agrocer colorants offer the superior solutions thatand VALUE can be associated with the ability to identify the market is currently looking for, addressing questions and con- a seed treatment at a glance. Users will know right away cerns around safety, usability and customization.that the product has the traits they want. Seed coloration, once an afterthought, is now an important tool used Germination and Safety alongside packaging and marketing materials as a branding Key concerns to the seed treatment industry include the poten- opportunity, Self concludes. tial impact that seed colorants have on plant germination andThe full impact of 2020 is still unknown for the globalized growth, as well as potential dust exposure from treated seed toseed industry. What is clear, is that seeds play a fundamental humans and beneficial insects during storage, transport, han- role in our food systems and Clariants Agrocer colorants offer dling and planting. Agrocer color products go through rigorousthe next generation of products for successful coating and testing across multiple plant species and numerous combinationsplanting results, helping to contribute to food security. of polymers, colorants, and active ingredients representing a wideTo learn more about Clariant and Agrocer seed coloration, range of typical seed treatments to simulate real life. With theirvisit www.clariant.com/agrocer or contact Kevin Brost at extensive testing, Agrocer colorants are designed to take into ac- 406-204-4404 or kevin.brost@standardcolors.comcount the key concerns of the seed treatment industry.1OECD http://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/policy-responses-to-covid-19-in-the-seed-sector-1e9291db/30/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2020'