The letters are internationally used codes that describe the physical form of a formulation. EC, SC, WP, WDG and SL are five of the most common, and each suits actives with different properties.
The codes come from the CropLife International catalogue of formulation types, which FAO and WHO specifications also use. The official code for water dispersible granules is WG, though WDG is widely used in trade.
The five common types
- EC (emulsifiable concentrate) is the active dissolved in a solvent with emulsifiers. It forms a milky emulsion when added to water. ECs are simple to make but carry solvent hazards and often a flammability class.
- SC (suspension concentrate) is fine solid particles of the active suspended in water with dispersants and thickeners. It suits actives that do not dissolve well. Poor milling or weak thickening leads to settling and caking.
- WP (wettable powder) is the active ground with a carrier and wetting agents into a powder. It is cheap to make and stable, but dusty to handle, so many markets prefer granules.
- WDG or WG (water dispersible granule) is a granule that breaks up and disperses in the spray tank. It is less dusty than a WP and easy to measure, but needs good granulation equipment.
- SL (soluble liquid concentrate) is the active dissolved in water or a water-miscible solvent. It suits salts and other water-soluble actives and gives a clear solution in the tank.
Other codes you will see
Many other formulation types exist. You will often meet these on quotes and labels:
- EW is an oil-in-water emulsion, used to cut the solvent content of an EC.
- CS is a capsule suspension, where the active is held inside small polymer capsules.
- OD is an oil dispersion, with solid active suspended in oil.
- SG is a water-soluble granule, the dry counterpart of an SL.
- GR is a granule applied directly to soil, without mixing in water.
- FS is a flowable concentrate for seed treatment.
Why the type matters when you buy
The type changes what you test, how you pack and how you ship. An EC needs emulsion stability tests and often ships as dangerous goods because of its solvent. An SC needs suspensibility and particle size checks, and must not freeze. A WDG needs dispersibility, wet sieve and dust checks. See what tests should be on an agrochemical COA for the full list.
The type is also part of your registration. A product registered as an SC cannot simply be swapped for an EC of the same active, even at the same dose. Changing type normally means new data and a new approval.
Not every plant can make every type. SC and WDG lines need wet milling, granulation and drying equipment that a simple EC or WP plant may not have. Ask to see the line during an audit rather than relying on a product list.
Next step
We check whether a plant really runs the line your formulation needs, and have batches tested against your specification. Book a free sourcing review to discuss your product.