Milliken Inaugurates Bioinput Microencapsulation Laboratory in Brazil

30 January 2026, Brazil: Milliken & Company has inaugurated a research and development laboratory in Brazil as part of its expansion in agribusiness. The facility will focus on microencapsulation technologies for biological inputs and will serve as the company’s centre for microencapsulation activities in Latin America.

The laboratory is located at the Milliken Technologic Center in São Paulo and covers approximately 700 square metres. It has been established to replicate microencapsulation technologies developed in the United States and adapt them for use in Brazilian agriculture. The facility marks the transfer of Milliken’s Encapsys™ microencapsulation technology to Brazil, with the potential to support markets across Latin America.

The laboratory is currently in the implementation phase and will initially focus on validating methodologies, training teams, and establishing technical protocols in collaboration with industry partners. According to the company, the formal inauguration is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

“The inauguration represents an important step for Milliken and for technologies applied to agriculture in Brazil. We are bringing to the country knowledge developed over more than seven decades in microencapsulation and applying it to bioinputs. Our objective is to adapt these technologies to local conditions and improve the stability and performance of microorganisms used in biological products,” said Rita Siloto, Milliken Brazil.

Encapsys™ is a microencapsulation platform developed by Milliken in the United States. The technology enables the encapsulation of active ingredients to improve stability, compatibility, and controlled release. It is designed to protect microorganisms, enzymes, and other biological compounds from factors such as temperature variation, oxidation, humidity, pH changes, and ultraviolet exposure, which can affect biological formulations under tropical conditions.

Milliken has worked with microencapsulation technologies for more than 70 years across sectors including fragrances, personal care, polymers, agrochemicals, and semiochemicals. The company is now applying this experience to the development of biological formulations for agriculture, with a focus on enabling the industrial use of live microorganisms and improving the efficiency of bioinputs.

“The bioinput segment requires solutions that address stability and performance in agricultural applications. The laboratory will be used for feasibility studies, stability testing, and controlled-release evaluation of microorganisms and biological compounds, with the aim of developing formulations suitable for agricultural use,” Siloto said.

The laboratory will operate in coordination with Milliken’s microencapsulation centre in Appleton, Wisconsin, where early-stage development work is conducted. Members of the Brazilian technical team have completed training at the US facility to support knowledge transfer and process alignment. Activities in Brazil will include encapsulation of microorganisms already used in Brazilian agriculture and testing of samples provided by local partners.

In addition to research on biological inputs, the laboratory will support studies on polymers used in seed treatment and soluble fertilisers. Testing will include plantability, seed vigour, mixture compatibility, and dust analysis. The facility will also support research related to colourants, surfactants, and dispersants, focusing on formulation stability and application performance.

The inauguration aligns with Milliken’s strategy to expand its agribusiness operations in Brazil while supporting its global growth plans. The company’s approach includes strengthening regional research centres, expanding its presence in microencapsulation, soil surfactants, and seed polymers, and working with local partners in Latin America.

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