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Solvent flammability regulations, solvent supply and cost
threatened the viability of the major grass control product for corn and soybeans. Dr. Beestman developed high concentration
microencapsulation making this previously dilute process a commercially
viable option for herbicides. The
pioneering patents provided a proprietary technology that resulted in annual
savings of $50M in raw material costs and formed the post-patent strategy for
this major product. Dr. Beestman
developed the commercial formulation, scaled-up the process and specified
equipment for manufacture. ·
Flow properties and chemical instability of micron-sized
sulfonylurea powders are formidable formulation challenges. Dr. Beestman utilized a coating technology
to directly encapsulate individual crystals, on a commercial scale, without
multi-crystal aggregation. Coated
sulfonylureas were then stable when formulated in ways that previously
decomposed the compounds. This
pioneering patent provides a proprietary position in fine particle coating
and allows flow properties of crystalline fine powders to be tailored. Economy of scale is gained from having a
single formulation composition for many different crystal surfaces coated
with the same material. ·
A major manufacturing cost is air purification following
forced air drying of water dispersible granules. Dr. Beestman developed a microwave-assisted process of
granulating fine particles without a drying step. Laboratory granulator was
developed and specifications for commercial-size unit were established. He
utilized this novel technology to protect a water-sensitive sulfonylurea
herbicide in large volume of water-containing glyphosate. He utilized anhydrous base salt to remove
free water resulting in a free flowing mass that could be milled to
powder. This patented technology
provided competitive advantage in the Roundup® market. ·
Dr. Beestman formulated the first dry formulation of the
herbicide glyphosate designed to be used as a plant growth regulator. He identified an emulsifier to reduce
herbicidal response and enhance plant growth regulation response, thus
creating a commercially viable product. A novel sodium salt form of
glyphosate maximized the speed of dissolving into water. His first industrial patent eliminated
corrosion of liquid Roundup®. Other achievements in
formulation problem solving include: Large wind-resistant
water-disintegrating turf growth regulator granular formulation equally
effective as conventional granules at one-tenth the particle number per
area. Ready-to-use strobilurin
fungicide formulation free of crystal development at 120X solubility limit of
the compound. Suspension Concentrate formulation that retained crystals on
foliage during rainfall. Urea clathrate of water-insoluble corrosion
inhibitor required to be effective for aqueous solutions. PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP association
of formulation chemists One
of three founding directors of this professional organization that unites
formulators from Foods, Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care, Paints and Coatings,
and Agriculture. Editor,
Formulation Science Volume I, Published by The Association of Formulation
Chemists. astm Editor,
ASTM Special Technical Publication 968, ASTM Special Technical Publication
980. Chair,
Seventh Symposium on Pesticide Formulations and Application Systems. Secretary,
ASTM Committee E35. Member,
Standing Committee on Publications. acs, astm, wssa Referee
of manuscripts submitted for publication. RECOGNITION Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Wisconsin,
River Falls, 1993 Outstanding Teaching Fellowship, University of Wisconsin,
Madison Achievement
Award
for application of novel engineering technology to agricultural formulations,
DuPont Particle Science and Technology Research Award of Recognition, Monsanto Certificate
of Appreciation, Standing Committee on Publications Award of Appreciation
for outstanding performance as Chair of seventh symposium, ASTM Distinguished Service Award
for
service in Liberia, West Africa, International Voluntary Services Dr. Beestman earned his PhD and MS
from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
His undergraduate degree is from the University of Wisconsin-River
Falls where he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Home
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