Formulation - General presentation

Formulation covers all the know-how required to develop and manufacture a commercial product characterized by its use value and meeting pre-established specifications.

A formulated product is obtained by combining and blending various raw materials of synthetic or natural origin, generally distinguishing between the active ingredients, which fulfill the main function sought, and the formulation aids, which perform secondary functions, facilitate the preparation or use of the commercial product, or extend its shelf life.

Formulation, therefore, affects all material processing industries, from the upstream industries producing raw materials to the downstream industries, directly in contact with the end user (industrial or consumer), which manufacture ready-to-use formulations.

The chemical industry is involved in formulation because it manufactures synthetic active ingredients and formulation aids. These compounds, commonly known as specialty chemicals, are marketed more on the basis of the functional properties they impart to the final mixture (coloring, thickening, filming, UV filtering, skin moisturizing, etc.) than on chemical criteria (molecular structure, purity, etc.).

The downstream industries manufacture formulations for the end consumer that are even more complex. They combine various raw materials to produce ready-to-use specialties with the properties required for specific uses (treating a patient, washing the hair, protecting and decorating a surface, etc.), while at the same time incorporating the ease of use and performance required by the end-user. The Nomenclature d'Activité Française (NAF) classifies the most typical formulation industries in the pharmaceutical (medicines) and parachemical (phytosanitary, cosmetics, perfumes, hygiene products, soaps and detergents, cleaning products, photographic products, data carriers, paints and varnishes, inks, glues and adhesives, lubricants, explosives) sectors. However, other material processing industries outside these sectors (food products, fuels, paper, textiles, plastics, rubber, cement, concrete, glass, ceramics) also formulate the products they sell to their customers.

Ultimately, formulation concerns all applications of chemical products, whether natural or synthetic. It aims to achieve the best possible compromise between performance, ease of use and safety, at minimum cost. This compromise is constantly evolving with people's lifestyles and standards of living, and is the field in which companies compete.