Bob Xing

Senior R&D Chemist | Agricultural Formulations, Coatings & Controlled-Release Systems

Talent

Los AngelesMember since November 13, 2026

fertilizer coatings (polymer, thermoset, bio-based)controlled-release NPKdust-control coatingsadjuvants and surfactantshumatesbiostimulantsinhibitorsliquid, SC, and granular systemsbench-to-pilot-to-plant developmentcoating equipment and tube reactor designportable in-market coating unitstechnology transfercycle-time and cost reductionproduction troubleshootinganalytical method developmentsoil-wetting surfactant evaluationpot and greenhouse growth trialsfield-trial program design and supervisionpatent strategy and filingtrademark and product registrationsupplier and distributor developmentcustomer technical supportcross-region project leadership

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fertilizer coatings (polymer, thermoset, bio-based)controlled-release NPKdust-control coatingsadjuvants and surfactantshumates

About

Senior R&D chemist and formulation scientist with 20+ years taking agricultural input products from concept through bench, pilot, plant design, and commercial launch: fertilizer coatings and controlled-release systems, dust-control coatings, adjuvants and surfactants, humates, biostimulants, and fertilizer inhibitors in liquid, suspension concentrate (SC), and solid formats. Formulations developed and commercialized under my leadership add more than $100 million in annual revenue to a business with over $1 billion in sales, including a 500,000 ton/year polymer-coated urea platform. Inventor on 14+ patents with about 20 publications, and experienced leading direct reports, contract research teams, and distributor networks across North America, China, Australia, and South America.

Experience

Senior Research Scientist – Fertilizer Coating Formulations - Arkema (ArrMaz) - Mulberry, FL

(2024-03)

Lead formulation development and process optimization for fertilizer coating products, owning projects from bench formulation through pilot scale-up to commercial launch.
Developed plant-based (bio-based) dust-control coating formulations for fertilizer and other industrial dust-suppression applications.
Developed biostimulant formulations for plant growth and fertilizer use efficiency; designed pot trials and supervised greenhouse radish trials run in China.
Developed test methods and evaluated soil-wetting surfactants to rank candidate products by performance.

Senior Principal Chemist – Formulation Development & Process Optimization - Nutrien (Nutrien Ag Solutions, retail BU)

(2020-05 - 2023-11)

Spearheaded development and commercialization of adjuvants, humates, biostimulants, and inhibitors in liquid, SC, and solid forms, in collaboration with operations teams in Australia and South America.
Invented formulation and process changes that cut batch production time from 18 hours to under 2 hours — a six-fold productivity gain.
Led production troubleshooting, process optimization, and customer technical support; resolved scale-up issues with AU and SA operations to improve efficiency and reduce production cost.
Developed and maintained supplier relationships that lowered raw-material cost and improved supply-chain efficiency.
Introduced new liquid, SC, and solid product forms that expanded the product line and strengthened the portfolio.

Formulation Chemist & IP Strategist - Nutrien (Nutrien Ag Solutions, retail BU)

(2018-01 - 2020-10)

Built formulation development and commercialization for adjuvants, ag-nutritional products, biostimulants, organic soil conditioners, and ag chemicals from scratch, with several patents filed.
Formulated and launched new products that generate more than $100 million in additional annual revenue.
Filed and secured 3 patents on novel formulations; strengthened the patent portfolio and analyzed filing and granting trends to guide R&D and commercial strategy.
Established collaborations with third parties, suppliers, and external research institutions, extending R&D capability for future formulations.
Optimized formulation processes to reduce production cost and improve margin, and provided on-time customer support to protect sales.

Senior Specialist – Special Projects, Pilot Plant & New Process Design - Agrium (wholesale BU – N, P, K fertilizer production)

(2016-08 - 2017-12)

Evaluated internal and external technologies and contributed to pilot-plant design and construction for coating granules, shortening production time and supporting scale-up of production capability.
Designed a tube reactor for thermoset polymer coating of granules.
Developed portable in-market coating facilities, increasing operational flexibility and reducing logistics cost.
Worked with engineering providers to implement eco-friendly, biodegradable coating materials, reducing environmental impact and aligning with sustainability goals.

Account Manager – International Sales, Business Development & Strategy - Agrium (wholesale BU – N, P, K fertilizer production)

(2014-04 - 2016-08)

Executed business strategy to grow international sales of polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizer, working with engineering firms to deploy portable in-market coating facilities.
Set up and managed distribution partners and channels for Polyon in China that remain in operation; reclaimed the Chinese-character trademark from the former distributor to enable direct sales.
Supported and mentored R&D, production, and QA/QC teams on coating formulation and process.

Manager, International Business & IP - Agrium (Advanced Technologies BU)

(2010-02 - 2014-04)

Managed 4 direct reports, 10+ contract research teams, and 4 regional marketing and sales teams; set the China business strategy for Agrium Advanced Technologies.
Set up and managed 4 regional distribution partners and channels; managed trademark registration ahead of sales and government relations with internal and external legal teams.
Directed field-trial programs with a budget above $2 million, registered ESN in China, and managed local controlled-release urea production projects through engineering and service providers.
Initiated new formulation concepts for coating and generated 3 patents; enforced patent protection to safeguard company IP.

President & Board Director - Agrium (China) Inc. - Beijing

(2010-11 - 2023-11)

Chief Representative, Beijing Office - Agrium (China) Inc. - Beijing

(2010-11 - 2012-09)