Microencapsulation ...fighting pests "scentsibly"

"Pheromones are environmentally responsible substitutes for poisonous pesticides."

For three decades, 3M has pioneered the development of microencapsulation technology, a process that allows a compound to be contained inside a tiny sphere with an average diameter of 15 - 20 microns - less than half the diameter of human hair.

In the spirit of innovation, Kent Nielsen, technical manager of Controlled Delivery Products, 3M Canada used that technology to find a way of releasing chemical pheromones (synthetic versions of insect-produced chemicals) over a prolonged period while protecting them from the sun and rain.

Through his research, Nielsen uncovered an ingenious way to control the mating habits of the Eastern Spruce Budworm (a bug that destroyed much of Canada's forests in Nielsen's childhood) without poisonous pesticides. Roving male insects become confused by the synthetic scent and are led on a false trail to the female, thereby impeding reproduction. And because of this project, known as the "Biorational Insecticide Replacement" program, Nielsen was named 3M's 1999 "Global Ambassador of Innovation."

3M's microencapsulated insect pheromones can be a critical component in effective Integrated Pest Management Program in the agricultural and forestry markets. "Growers have a real desire, and need, to get away from the traditional, harder chemical approaches in their pest management practices," says Nielsen. As pheromones are nature's substances, their use is considered to have less adverse environmental impact than the use of poisonous pesticides, the incentive to use them is great.

The microencapsulation facility in London, Ontario, Canada is one of the most recent expansions at 3M supporting this technology and will allow governments and industries to use a variety of chemicals or compounds in an environmentally responsible manner.

Because of Nielsen's innovation and the pheromones' potential to replace pesticides, 3M is optimistic for the growth of this technology. The range of possible uses for microencapsulation combined with 3M innovation is infinite.