Securalink-G Closed Transfer System
Sotera Systems, Tuthill Corporation
Ft. Wayne, IN
Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Market Study Scope
Key Survey Results
Study Conclusions
FQPA Product Review
System Components
Grower Initial Use Step
Transfer with Securalink-G
Market Availability
Conclusion
Securalink-G is a closed transfer system developed by Sotera Systems to address an important area of concern for pesticides and other products at risk under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The system design reduces risk of exposure and spills when transferring liquid product from a 2.5-gal or other standard size container directly into the sprayer. A survey was conducted to help understand grower response to this type of technology prior to market introduction.
Sotera's parent corporation, Tuthill Corp. is a world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing systems and components to industrial, petroleum, and agricultural industries. Privately held, the corporation's business is supported by over 30 locations and 24 manufacturing plants on 5 continents. Sotera Systems is the business arm of Tuthill Corporation focused exclusively on the crop protection industry. Sotera's mission is to be a world leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of closed transfer systems and accurate measuring systems for concentrated crop protection products. In partnership with several leading agchem companies, Securalink-G technology was made available to the market in the Spring 99 season to provide safer transfer for products at risk under FQPA and for other products or markets where closed system use is required or desirable.
Link Research and Development designed and prototyped simple and effective closed system valves and adapters in 1988. Europe saw the first widespread commercial application of this technology through a program with Novartis (then Ciba-Geigy). Sotera, working closely with Link R&D and an outside consultant, Diamond Technology Partners, launched a market study to understand the viability of the Securalink technology in North American markets, as well as to assess the prevalence and satisfaction of current liquid agchem product transfer methods.
Market Study Scope(Back to Top)
Twelve locations in North America were used to field the survey, with each having a fairly representative sample of respondents. Survey respondents were primarily growers, with an average farm size of 670 acres per grower respondent. Total acreage represented in the survey group was almost 250,000 acres. The survey looked at the interest level in Securalink, usage preference, pricing, and channel choice. Growers participated in an anonymous written survey rather than a focus group in an effort to capture as many unaided responses as possible. The study also analyzed liquid agchem products (herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) used by farmers on 5 key crops, including corn, cotton, potatoes, soybeans, and wheat.
Key Survey Results(Back to Top)
Prior to the equipment demonstration, growers were asked to consider chemical transfer attributes including personal exposure, safe transfer, accuracy and others. Each of these items was defined within the survey. Almost 30% of the respondents listed personal exposure as the most important transfer method attribute. When asked to compare their attitude today versus five years ago, both personal exposure and safe transfer were ranked either much more important or somewhat more important by over 80% of the survey responses.
Current transfer methods for the survey group ranged widely from mini-bulk with pump system to pouring open jugs. Some dissatisfaction was evident with all then current transfer options, but ranked higher when growers used product currently available in jugs or when a measuring container was incorporated in the transfer. Dissatisfaction was registered with both the risk of spills and exposure when transfer involved open pour from a jug or pitcher.
Following a functional demonstration of a Securalink closed system and explanation of components, 43% of all survey respondents indicated they were extremely or very interested in the technology. When considering chemicals currently purchased in jugs, 74% of the respondents opted for some Securalink configuration, while about 25% indicated they would maintain their current transfer method.
Survey participants were also asked to provide unaided pricing responses to the Securalink system components. This included an incremental price they would be willing to pay for their chemical delivered in a 2.5-gal closed system jug. Growers valued the technology as reasonably priced at slightly over $ 5 for each 2.5-gal jug delivered with the Securalink closed transfer valve. Unaided pricing expectations for other system components, like the spray-tank adapter (permanently mounted mating component) were consistent with proposed retail pricing from Sotera.
The growers were asked to chose from a variety of farm input suppliers to show their preference on how to access this technology. Survey respondents overwhelmingly saw the Securalink system available through their local chemical dealer.
All survey results were compiled and analyzed by Diamond Technology Partners and presented to Sotera and Link R&D.
Study Conclusions(Back to Top)
Survey conclusions pointed to the viability of this product concept in the marketplace given that over 50% of the Growers would consider switching from their current methods of transfer to a closed system like Securalink. The technology offered improvements to stated grower concerns over exposure, liability, safety, convenience and ease of use. Based on the results of the survey, Sotera contracted with Link R&D to develop a family of closed systems for grower use.
FQPA Product Review(Back to Top)
With the pending threat to ban organophosphates and carbamates now under FQPA review, Bayer saw the application of this technology providing safer delivery of this important class of products. Bayer partnered on this concept with Sotera Systems, which developed the technology. It is now manufacturing the product for 2000 season use by several leading agchem manufacturers. Unlike other commercial closed systems, which are costly or focus only on the needs of the largest applicators, the G in Securalink-G designates a system for closed system delivery that is simple and effective for use by even the individual grower.
System Components(Back to Top)
What did our survey participants see? The Securalink-G system is made up of three components:
The Securalink-G closed system valve is comprised of three key parts: housing, valve and tamper-evident cap. There are no metal components in the Securalink-G valve. All three parts are constructed of the polyethylene copolymer to aid disposal and recycling under currently available programs. The Securalink-G valve replaces the standard 63mm threaded cap on a 2.5 gal (or similar) sized container and would be installed at the formulation plant when the container is filled. Jugs using Securalink-G will generally be delivered to the grower in the popular 2 x 2.5 package. The valve includes a locking mechanism to limit removal from the container and a tamper evident cap.
Grower Initial Use Step(Back to Top)
Prior to jug use, the grower installs a tank adapter on the sprayer tank or mix-fill tank. Instructions for installation are included with each tank adapter kit. Adapter installation should take about 20 minutes.
Transfer with Securalink-G(Back to Top)
When the tamper evident cap is removed, the jug is inverted and locks to the tank adapter using symmetrical tabs or ears that are keyed to openings in the tank adapter. Rotating the container counter-clockwise opens the valve and permits dispensing of product by gravity. Rotating the container clock-wise will initially slow, then shut-off the Securalink-G valve permitting full user control of the dispensing process. When empty, container can be triple rinsed using approved current technology or an optional closed system jug rinser currently in final development from Sotera (anticipated production 4th quarter 2000.
Complete user instructions will be included in each tank adapter kit. Rigorous engineering standards and testing are in place for both the complete Securalink-G valve and individual components to assure high product quality.
Market Availability(Back to Top)
The Securalink-G valve is being offered on a broad market basis to all basic manufacturers and formulators. Consistent with the results of our survey and to assure easy use of the product, tank adapters and the coming jug rinser will be widely marketed through your local fertilizer/chemical dealers, cooperatives and equipment distribution. A wide group of products from several manufacturers will be available to growers on the market.
A major survey clearly confirms the importance growers see in reducing exposure and in safe handling of all their crop protection fluids. Positive response led Sotera to further develop Securalink.
Products at risk under FQPA benefit from the technology allowing use with a standard 2.5 gal jug for safer transfer. Keeping these products available is vital and Sotera is working with key industry suppliers to be sure this technology is widely available.
For more information: John Backscheider, Sotera Systems, Tuthill Corp., 8825 Aviation D., Fort Wayne, IN 46809.
Phone: 219-747-9060. Fax: 219-747-3934.
Edited by Alan S. Brown