Anti-caking coating

Anti-caking coating involves incorporating conditioning substances into the product or applying them as an outer layer onto the granules, so as to restrict caking during storage^[1]. These additives also help to lessen dust formation and moisture uptake throughout this period^[1]. Caking refers to the transformation of powders or granules into hard agglomerates, a phenomenon typically brought about by prolonged storage under pressure in a humid environment^[2]. Fertilisers treated in this manner remain free-flowing and dispersible throughout transport, storage and application^[3]. Under the conventional granulation process, the material undergoes drying and screening after particle formation; the marketable product is subsequently cooled and coated prior to being placed in storage, with crushed fines and oversize material being recycled back into the process^[4].