Technological breakthroughs

From a production line requirement, Can Tho Fertilizer and Chemical Joint Stock Company has independently researched, formulated, and manufactured its own anti-caking agent, reducing reliance on external suppliers.

In fertiliser production and storage, issues such as moisture absorption, caking, and lumping must be controlled to maintain the free-flowing state and sensory quality of granules. This is especially important for fertilisers with high nitrogen content.

Previously, the company’s anti-caking agent was largely sourced from external suppliers, raising concerns about supply, cost, delivery times, and quality control of auxiliary products.
In response, a research team led by Mr. Nguyễn Công Huân, General Director of Can Tho Fertilizer and Chemical Joint Stock Company, together with colleagues Phan Trường Tiền and Nguyễn Bá Tân, chose to pursue independent research and production of an anti-caking agent suited to the company’s raw materials, production lines, and specific fertiliser types.
Research began in July 2025 and was completed and put into use in January 2026.

From Experimentation to Formula Mastery

The research process started with identifying production requirements, formulating the agent, laboratory trials, assessing anti-caking performance, production line trials, and iterative adjustment before implementation.

The team focused on evaluating moisture absorption, film formation on granule surfaces, maintenance of granule flowability after storage, compatibility with different fertiliser types, and the influence of temperature and humidity on anti-caking effectiveness.

In terms of formulation, the anti-caking agent is based on a combination of film-forming agents and surfactants. The film-former creates a coating on the granule surface, while the surfactant aids dispersion and uniformity of the coating. The hydrophobic layer limits contact between fertiliser and environmental moisture, reducing the risk of caking and lumping.
The formula is adjusted to suit the characteristics of each fertiliser line and actual production conditions. This flexibility allows the company greater control and choice, rather than applying a single formula across all product types.

Applying Research to Production

Once tested and perfected, the anti-caking agent was applied to high-nitrogen fertiliser lines.

By developing and manufacturing the agent internally, the company has gained control over supply, production schedules, and output for this auxiliary product. When product requirements change, the formula can be further refined to meet the characteristics of each fertiliser type.

Importantly, this process has enabled the technical team to gain experience in formulation, testing, performance evaluation, and real-world application. The economic effectiveness of this initiative continues to be monitored and assessed during its use.

The company is now refining the formula, process parameters, and equipment to scale up production.

From Auxiliary Product to R&D Capability

Although an anti-caking agent is an auxiliary product, its development encompassed all aspects of R&D: identifying production problems, formulating, testing, assessment, adjustment, and production line validation.

This approach provides a foundation for the company to continue researching other auxiliary products for fertiliser production, gradually strengthening its applied research capabilities and technological mastery.

Such practice is in line with the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, which promotes increased research, application, and technological renewal in production.

From a specific challenge on the production line, Can Tho Fertilizer and Chemical Joint Stock Company has chosen to address it through research and technology. The results provide valuable experience for the technical team in solving auxiliary product challenges and create a basis for further research into new solutions for fertiliser production.