Our Patented Technologies
Technologies Engineered for Ingredient Protection, Controlled Release, and Sustainability
Jump to a Technology (newest patent first):
- Env. Biodegradable Compositions
- Flavor Delivery Systems
- Env. Biodegradable Microcapsules – Controlled Release
- pH-Triggered Release
- Env. Biodegradable Microcapsules – Sustainable Design
- Microcapsules Comprising Natural Materials
- Reduced-Permeability Microcapsules – Controlled Release (2023)
- Env. Biodegradable Microcapsules – Stable & Sustainable
- Env. Biodegradable Microcapsules
- Multifunctional Particle Additive
- Env. Biodegradable Microcapsules – Eco-Friendly Encapsulation
- Env. Biodegradable Microcapsules – Sustainable Solutions
- Vitamin Delivery Particle
- Reduced-Permeability Microcapsules – Controlled Release (2021)
- Polysaccharide Delivery Particle
New addition (October 2025): Spray-Tek’s latest published patent application introduces biodegradable core/shell microcapsules built with natural materials — expanding our portfolio of sustainable microencapsulation solutions.
Explore the Applications + Industry Challenges They’ve Solved
Biodegradable Core/Shell Microcapsules for Controlled Release:
This newly published patent application introduces a next-generation microencapsulation system that replaces traditional polymers with naturally derived, environmentally biodegradable materials.
The innovation leverages amino acid adducts, protein isolates, and polysaccharides to form a biodegradable core/shell structure that provides stability and controlled release without relying on persistent synthetic polymers.
The Formulation Combines:
- Natural amino acid–based adducts
- Protein isolates
- Polysaccharides and amino polysaccharides
- Isocyanate and epoxy resin reaction products
- Optionally, sugar alcohols and plasticizers for enhanced flexibility
Potential Area Applications:
- Home care and cleaning products
- Personal care and cosmetics
- Nutraceuticals and functional foods
- Agriculture and controlled nutrient release
- Fragrance and flavor systems seeking biodegradable alternatives
How it solves industry challenges:
This patent represents a major step toward fully biodegradable microencapsulation, aligning with increasing global regulations and consumer demand for eco-responsible, non-persistent materials.
It offers formulators a pathway to deliver controlled release performance using natural inputs while maintaining functional stability, scalability, and shelf life.
Encapsulated Pastilles and Prills for Controlled Release of Flavor Oils:
This patent expands Spray-Tek’s encapsulation capabilities by enabling the production of flavor oil-containing particles—specifically pastilles and prills—using plant-derived materials. It redefines the role of the spray dryer, positioning it as a versatile tool for creating encapsulated flavor systems beyond traditional powders.
The Formulation Combines:
- a flavor oil
- a plant-derived fat
- a plant-derived wax
- a plant-derived surfactant
- optionally, an antioxidant
Potential Area Applications:
- Personal care products
- Oral care products
- Powdered food products
- Fluid food products
- Powdered nutritional supplements
- Fluid nutritional supplements
- Bakery dough
- Dairy products
- Savory food products
- Noodle bowls
- Non-animal-based meat analogues
How it solves industry challenges:
This patent gives Spray-Tek the freedom to produce encapsulated flavor systems using plant-based components, addressing clean-label and sustainability demands. It also opens up new delivery formats—pastilles and prills—for formulators seeking controlled release and flavor integrity in complex matrices across food, nutrition, and personal care sectors.
Core/Shell Microcapsules with Controlled Release of Actives:
This patent allows us to meet the very high demands of our customers’ requirements – a polymer membrane that provides protection to the encapsulated active while also providing the ability for microbes found in the environment to break down the polymer. We’ve found a way to modify natural polymers in a way that allows us to make polymer membranes that can have low permeability.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
A uniquely different approach to make environmentally biodegradable capsules by modifying inert and non-reactive natural materials with functional groups that can be used to crosslink these polymers to create a low permeability shell, while still maintaining the ability of the shell to be degreaded by microbes found in the environment.
Matrix Encapsulation:
This patent allows us to seal the active material in a matrix particle under low pH conditions, but release that active material upon a change in pH of the surrounding environment.
Potential Area Applications:
- Ready-to-mix beverages
- Liquid beverages
- Yogurt compositions
How it solves industry challenges:
Microcapsules made via an economical spray drying process that retain the active in acidic conditions (e.g. acidic beverages), but release the encapsulated active when there is an increase in the pH (i.e. the gut)
Biodegradable Core/Shell Microcapsules:
Environmentally biodegradable core/shell microcapsules with a hybrid inorganic/organic membrane where the surface of the microcapsule can be modified with polymers to manipulate adhesion. The active is relased via shear/friction.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
Core/Shell capsules used in Fabric Care and Personal Care products have microplastic membranes that will not degrade in marine environments. We developed compositions of matter and method of making microcapsules that are environmentally biodegradable and can release their contents with shear/friction/enzymes using a hybrid organic/inorganic polymer membrane.
Biodegradable Core/Shell Microcapsules:
Environmentally biodegradable core/shell microcapsules with a hybrid inorganic/organic membrane where the surface of the microcapsule can be modified with polymers to manipulate adhesion. The active is relased via shear/friction.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
Core/Shell capsules used in Fabric Care and Personal Care products have microplastic membranes that will not degrade in marine environments. We developed compositions of matter and method of making microcapsules that are environmentally biodegradable and can release their contents with shear/friction/enzymes using a hybrid organic/inorganic polymer membrane.
Core/Shell Microcapsules with Controlled Release of Actives:
Core/shell microcapsules that can replace toxic formaldehyde capsules with non-toxic capsules that release their acive upon friction/shear.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
Industry capsules are made with toxic formaldehyde chemistry. This patent teaches non-melamine and non-formaldehyde based microcapsules that can release actives via friction or shear.
Biodegradable Core/Shell Microcapsules:
Environmentally biodegradable core/shell microcapsules with a hybrid inorganic/organic membrane where the surface of the microcapsule can be modified with polymers to manipulate adhesion. The active is relased via shear/friction.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
Core/Shell capsules used in Fabric Care and Personal Care products have microplastic membranes that will not degrade in marine environments. We developed compositions of matter and method of making microcapsules that are environmentally biodegradable and can release their contents with shear/friction/enzymes using a hybrid organic/inorganic polymer membrane.
Biodegradable Core/Shell Microcapsules:
Environmentally biodegradable core/shell microcapsules with a hybrid inorganic/organic membrane where the surface of the microcapsule can be modified with polymers to manipulate adhesion. The active is relased via shear/friction.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
Core/Shell capsules used in Fabric Care and Personal Care products have microplastic membranes that will not degrade in marine environments. We developed compositions of matter and method of making microcapsules that are environmentally biodegradable and can release their contents with shear/friction/enzymes using a hybrid organic/inorganic polymer membrane.
PLA – Biodegradable Plastics:
Engineered particles incorporated into PLA processing can improve the mechanical propertIes of a compostable polymer that can then be used to replace plastic goods.
Potential Area Applications:
- PLA Masterbatch Resin used in extrusion, thermoforming, and other plastics processing
How it solves industry challenges:
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a compostable, biodegradable polymer that can be used to eliminate plastics. However, PLA is brittle in nature. We discovered that incorporation of multifunctional particles during PLA processing can improve the mechanical properties (elongation) of the polymer to facilitate manufacturing.
Biodegradable Core/Shell Microcapsules:
Environmentally biodegradable core/shell microcapsules with a hybrid inorganic/organic membrane where the surface of the microcapsule can be modified with polymers to manipulate adhesion. The active is relased via shear/friction.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
Core/Shell capsules used in Fabric Care and Personal Care products have microplastic membranes that will not degrade in marine environments. We developed compositions of matter and method of making microcapsules that are environmentally biodegradable and can release their contents with shear/friction/enzymes using a hybrid organic/inorganic polymer membrane.
Biodegradable Core/Shell Microcapsules:
Environmentally biodegradable core/shell microcapsules with a hybrid inorganic/organic membrane where the surface of the microcapsule can be modified with polymers to manipulate adhesion. The active is relased via shear/friction.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
Core/Shell capsules used in Fabric Care and Personal Care products have microplastic membranes that will not degrade in marine environments. We developed compositions of matter and method of making microcapsules that are environmentally biodegradable and can release their contents with shear/friction/enzymes using a hybrid organic/inorganic polymer membrane.
Matrix Encapsulation:
Matrix microcapsules that can improve the stability of active materials that are easily oxidized.
Potential Area Applications:
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Beta Carotene
- Natural Vitamin oils
How it solves industry challenges:
Oxygen and water migration into vitamin premixes and vitamin tablets lead to degradation of vitamins, and generation of toxic by-products. Expensive processing (fluid bed drying, multiple coatings) are required to prevent degradation. We identified compositions of matter that can be used in concert with an economical spray drying process to improve the chemical stability of vitamins.
Core/Shell Microcapsules with Controlled Release of Actives:
Core/shell microcapsules that can replace toxic formaldehyde capsules with non-toxic capsules that release their acive upon friction/shear.
Potential Area Applications:
- Liquid Fabric Softener
- Liquid Detergent
- Dry Laundry Powder
- Laundry Additives
- Shampoo
- Rinse-off and Leave-on Conditioners
- Agrochemicals
How it solves industry challenges:
Industry capsules are made with toxic formaldehyde chemistry. This patent teaches non-melamine and non-formaldehyde based microcapsules that can release actives via friction or shear.
Matrix Encapsulation:
Environmentally biodegradable capsules that can survive highly acidic conditions and release their content upon swelling in water.
Potential Area Applications:
- Antiperspirants
- Deodorants
- Bar Soap
- Powder Baked Goods
- Lip Balm / Lipstick
How it solves industry challenges:
Low pH and high temperatures during product manufacturing lead to chemical degradation of perfume materials and result in off-odor. Premature leakage of perfume from capsules negatively impacts finished product odor. We’ve developed environmentally biodegradable capsules that survive highly acidic conditions.
