Concentrated Emulsions

Concentrated Emulsions

Concentrated emulsions, also known as oil-in-water emulsions (EW), are formulations that create a stable emulsion of the active ingredient in an aqueous phase, and are intended for dilution in water before use. The active ingredient is normally a liquid that forms the dispersed oil phase. However, it is also possible to emulsify a solid or liquid active ingredient that is dissolved in a water-immiscible solvent. Water is incorporated into the formulation to form a stable oil-in-water emulsion through high shear. EWs are a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to emulsifiable concentrates (EC). In EW formulations, the continuous phase is water. The emulsion has already been established in the formulation and is only diluted further in the spray mixture.
EWs are thermodynamically unstable systems that are susceptible to external environment or storage conditions that may lead to phase separation issues. They need a proper emulsifier to remain stable for a desired shelf life.