OROWET^® Technology: Enhancing Performance and Sustainability in Agriculture

Sustainability, innovation, and performance are at the core of agricultural advancements, and OROWET® technology is leading the charge. In this exclusive interview, Rovensa Next experts Johan Janse van Rensburg, Cédric Ernenwein, and Jared Vanderzyl discuss how their groundbreaking surfactant system, utilizing natural extracts like cold-pressed orange oil, is revolutionizing adjuvant performance. From improved absorption and uniform application to next-gen solutions for drone spraying and biocontrol, OROWET® is setting new standards for both efficacy and environmental responsibility. Learn how Rovensa Next is paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future in agriculture.

OROWET^® Technology & its impact

Can you explain what OROWET^® technology is and what makes it unique compared to other surfactant technologies in the market?

JJ: OROWET^® technology is a state-of-the-art surfactant technology that combines proprietary surfactants with natural extracts, such as cold-pressed orange oil, to boost crop protection. What makes it stand out is its ability to break down lipid barriers, which enhances the absorption of agro-chemicals. This technology also ensures that the active ingredients are evenly distributed and work more effectively, supporting modern agricultural solutions.

How does Orowet technology enhance the performance of adjuvants in agricultural applications?

JJ: OROWET^® technology improves adjuvant performance in several key ways:

1. Better penetration. It helps pesticides penetrate more effectively, reaching their targets better. The orange oil in the formulation softens and breaks down protective barriers in plants and pests.

2. Micro-delivery system. As an ultra-fine microemulsion, this technology ensures enhanced stability and increases the solubilization of orange oil, protecting it from evaporation and ensuring it spreads evenly. 

3. Enhanced efficacy. By ensuring even distribution and better penetration, the technology maximizes the effectiveness of the pesticides in the spray tank.

4. Sustainability. It improves the efficacy of partner pesticides, and thus also supports resistance management strategies.

What sustainability benefits does OROWET^® technology offer compared to conventional surfactants?

JJ: OROWET^® technology offers several sustainability benefits:

1. Biodegradability. It uses biodegradable components, which are more environmentally friendly.

2. Natural extracts. The inclusion of natural extracts such as orange oil makes the technology more sustainable than solutions based on paraffinic oils.

3. Reduced environmental impact. It minimizes the overall environmental footprint by optimizing pesticide application.

Application in the Adjuvants Portfolio

Can you explain how OROWET^® Technology is integrated into specific adjuvants within your portfolio, and what functional benefits it provides in terms of formulation performance and crop protection efficacy?

JV: OROWET^® Technology is a patented, NPE-free adjuvant delivery system composed of a blend of surfactant chemistries and cold-pressed orange oil extracted from the peel of orange fruit. Its effectiveness is largely driven by the technology’s ability to create an ultra-fine and stable emulsion, which enhances the wetting, spreading, and penetrating properties of the spray mixture. Higher application rates significantly improve overall wetting and penetration capabilities. Rovensa Next currently manufactures a range of activator and soil-wetting adjuvants incorporating OROWET^® Technology.

Phosphor-imaging of LQ leaves 15 minutes after herbicide application and herbicide with OROWET^®.

Can you share any field trial results or case studies that demonstrate the impact of OROWET^®-based adjuvants on pesticide efficacy and their environmental footprint?

JV: Several studies are available, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness and applications of this technology. I can present selected field trials we have conducted, which clearly demonstrate how OROWET^® enhances pesticide performance by improving active ingredient bioavailability, coverage, and penetration:

-Improving biofungicide performance

-Improving bioinsecticide performance

Beyond OROWET^® and orange oil, what are the key trends and innovations shaping your adjuvants portfolio today?

JV: Rovensa Next is preparing to launch a new series of next-generation adjuvants. This patented product line will introduce advanced technology across activator adjuvants, soil-wetting agents, water conditioners, and OMRI-listed adjuvants. Years of ongoing testing and development trials have demonstrated that the technology delivers exceptional performance, sustainability, and a high level of crop safety.

JJ: At Rovensa Next, we are continuously exploring emerging niches within the adjuvant space to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the evolving needs of modern agriculture. Our commitment to sustainability is at the core of our strategy, and we are proud to be leaders in the use of plant extracts, as evidenced by the success of our OROWET^® technology.

Key Trends and Innovations:

• Next-Generation OROWET^® technology. We are already working on the next generation of OROWET^® technology, which will further enhance the efficacy and sustainability of our adjuvants. 

• Biodegradable components. Our focus on biodegradable surfactants and natural extracts, such as cold-pressed orange oil, continues to drive innovation. These components not only enhance the performance of our products but also reduce environmental impact 

• Broad portfolio of solutions. Beyond OROWET^®, we also offer a wide range of adjuvants tailored to different agricultural needs.

In terms of sustainability, do you anticipate changes in adjuvant technology in the future? 

CE: Regarding adjuvant trends, we will need to face some changes in agricultural practices, governed by sustainability and regulatory restrictions.  The expansion of anti-drift adjuvants is a growing global trend, driven by increasing awareness of the environmental and bystander risks associated with pesticide use, as well as the need to minimize residue risks on organic crops close to the treated field. Another reason for the increasing popularity of anti-drift adjuvants is the growing numbers of products applied by drones in more and more regions.  They work at a higher height and greater speed, compared to other applications, with drift reduction being the first prevalent requirement but not the only one. Drones, and other methods promoting ultra-low application volumes, also need more efficient adjuvants, permitting higher active concentrations in the tank.  The second evolution is biocontrol. A new paradigm is needed to develop adjuvants for living micro-organisms applied on foliage or soil. The first objective here will be to preserve the viability and virulence of active ingredients during and after application. All these ingredients will be chosen depending on their risk of incompatibility and their capability to boost the activity of the biocontrol partner. As for conventional pesticides, each microorganism family has its constraints and sensibility and needs specific development. 

Developments in new Adjuvants

What challenges are you facing in developing sustainable alternatives?

JV: Formulating adjuvants from naturally derived materials can sometimes require additional screening steps. Maintaining a steady supply of high-quality raw materials is essential to ensuring a premium product. Every batch of Rovensa Next orange oil undergoes rigorous analytical testing, guaranteeing that our finished products consistently meet all specification requirements.  

CE: The main difficulties in using alternatives, i.e., replacing synthetic, non-renewable solutions with vegetable-based, renewable materials, will be the robustness (reliability, reproductivity, quality) of the source and the cost.  In some cases, robustness is totally achieved, with the availability on the market of identical molecules with two different environmental footprints. Here, it will be more a question of how to assess the most sustainable adjuvants on the market.  Replacing synthetic, and potentially more toxic and persistent molecules with a more  biodegradable, low-toxic natural-based material means renewing the formulation. This new formulation will then have to be tested against the standard to ensure at least the same efficacy. More natural doesn’t necessarily mean less effective. 

What new technologies or bio-based solutions are being developed in your adjuvant formulations?

JV: New formulation developments at Rovensa Next have been progressing rapidly over the last several years, with many now in their fourth or fifth year of field trial testing. Several of these innovations focus on the use of essential oils, fatty acids, and a blend of diverse surfactants. Upon application, these adjuvants generate ultra-fine emulsions, enhancing wetting, spreading, and penetration to maximize bioefficacy. Additionally, our inert material selection undergoes rigorous screening to ensure that the final products are both superior in performance and environmentally sustainable.

CE: Biocontrol is a growing trend in the agrochemical market, making the development of a specific range of adjuvants for biocontrol both necessary and evident.  These new adjuvants  promote wetting and adhesion but have also been developed to protect micro-organisms from environmental stress such as sunlight and dehydration.  Copper and other minerals are also widely used to protect crops against fungus causing plant disease. In many cases, the proliferation of fungus is caused by rain, and copper is applied preventively. Unfortunately, contact fungicides are sensible to leaching by rain and need to be reapplied during the season. Loss by rain also brings a higher risk of soil contamination. A new adjuvant has been developed, which is 100% based on renewable raw materials, to increase the rainfastness of minerals. This adjuvant uses a smart formulation which has also been adapted to systemic and translaminar fungicides.  This new adjuvant will bring faster penetration of systemic active ingredients and in the meantime will retain contact fungicides on plant surfaces, even under rainy conditions. 

An R&D program named FAUVE (formulation of adjuvants for ultra-low volumes applied by new equipment), in cooperation with the University of Applied Science of Compiegne (France), aims to develop innovative solutions for drone applications. 

How do these new solutions compare in terms of performance, biodegradability, and regulatory compliance?

CE: All the new solutions developed by our R&D team undergo a series of trials in the lab, in greenhouses and finally in the field in different regions. All our trials are designed to validate adjuvant claims and efficacy with partners (biocontrol and/or plant protection products) in diverse situations (crops, targets, region, application methods).  

Future Outlook & Innovation

What are the next steps in the evolution of OROWET^® technology, and how do you see it shaping the future of sustainable agrochemical solutions?

JV: The Rovensa Next OROWET^® brand has become a widely recognized and respected adjuvant technology, highly sought after due to its continued innovation and growing global demand.  Our goal at Rovensa Next is to continue providing growers with highly reliable and efficient products that minimize environmental impact.

JJ: I am proud to say that the evolution of OROWET^® technology is a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability. We are actively working on the next generation of OROWET^® technology, which will leverage advanced surfactant chemistry and natural extracts to further enhance the efficacy and sustainability of our products.

Aligned with Rovensa Next's strategy and goals, our focus remains on driving biotransformation in agriculture. This involves developing solutions that not only improve crop protection and yield but also reduce environmental impact. Our efforts are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting responsible consumption and production, and taking climate action 

Key areas of focus:

• Advanced surfactant chemistry. We are exploring new surfactant molecules that offer superior performance and environmental benefits. These advancements will ensure that our products remain at the forefront of agricultural innovation. 

• Natural extracts. Building on the success of our cold-pressed orange oil, we are investigating other natural extracts that can enhance the penetration and effectiveness of active ingredients. This aligns with our commitment to using renewable resources and reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals. 

• Global trials and research. Our experienced specialists and researchers are conducting global trials to validate the efficacy and sustainability of our new formulations. This ongoing research ensures that we continue to meet the evolving needs of growers worldwide. 

• Shaping the future. The next steps in the evolution of OROWET^® technology will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable agrochemical solutions. By combining cutting-edge science with a strong focus on sustainability, we aim to provide growers with innovative tools that enhance crop protection, improve yield, and minimize environmental impact. Our vision is to lead the way in sustainable agriculture, ensuring that our products contribute to a healthier planet and a more secure food supply for future generations.

This article will be published in the magazine of 2025  Formulation&Adjuvant Technology. Follow this magazine to read more articles/stories.

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