05 / Custom Formula Development
Start with the surface, equipment and procedure. Florida Biotech develops or refines the formulation; Plant-42 reviews how it can be made, packaged and supplied.
An equipment-specific consumable, a formula for several uses and a targeted cleaning product each start with a different brief. Tell us the task, current formula and delivery format so we can identify what needs engineering and what can move into production planning.
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05.1 / Product definition
Define the surface, the soil, the application equipment and the procedure. Include the water specification, whether the product will be supplied as a concentrate, and what results the reviewer needs to see.
For an existing product, explain what should stay the same and what needs to improve. For a new concept, separate essential performance requirements from preferences. That distinction helps the team assess tradeoffs, plan relevant evaluations, and avoid making changes without a clear reason.
05.2 / Development balance
Performance
Define what the product needs to do in its intended use environment. Identify the evidence that will support a decision about the formulation rather than relying on a broad claim such as “better.”
Product experience
Describe the appearance, handling, and other physical characteristics relevant to the application. These requirements should be considered alongside performance, not added after the formula is treated as complete.
Production fit
Raise mixing, transfer, filling, and packaging considerations during development. A change that improves one characteristic may affect another part of the manufacturing workflow.
05.3 / Development process
Development is iterative. Define the objective for each stage and use the findings to determine whether to refine, investigate further, or prepare for the next handoff.
Review the starting point
Share the current formula or concept, intended use, existing results, and known issues. Establish what information is available and what the team needs before work can be scoped.
Define the development work
Agree the priorities, candidate changes, relevant observations, and testing questions. Document the decision criteria so samples can be reviewed against the same expectations.
Evaluate and refine
Review development samples and findings. Record the formula revision behind each sample so a promising result can be connected to the conditions that produced it.
Prepare the manufacturing discussion
Bring the preferred direction, material information, proposed specifications, and open questions into production planning. Confirm the next scope before treating development as a production release.
05.4 / Working specifications
A useful specification describes the characteristic, the assessment approach, and the criteria for the decision.
Intended function
What outcome must the product support?
Use case, performance target, and relevant evaluation.
Physical characteristics
What should remain consistent?
Agreed observations or measurements appropriate to the liquid.
Storage and packaging
What conditions will the product encounter?
Proposed container, closure, handling, and stability questions.
Manufacturing context
How will the formula enter production?
Material information, process considerations, and review points.
Final specifications and test scope are project-specific.
05.5 / Formula meets packaging
A liquid does not reach its customer in isolation. Its container, closure, dispensing method, label, and shipping configuration all affect the finished product system. Bring proposed packaging into the development conversation early enough to identify the questions that need evaluation.
Plant-42’s broader services include filling and packaging, providing a practical connection between formulation work and finished-goods planning. Discuss chemistry, package format, intended fill, and handling requirements together so development decisions reflect the proposed commercial presentation.
Explore filling and packaging05.6 / Prepare the brief
Share the information you already have. If a requirement is still undecided, identify it as an open question so the team can account for it when discussing scope.
- Product application and intended customer.
- Current formula, concept, or reference sample information.
- Required performance and preferred physical characteristics.
- Ingredient restrictions and known handling considerations.
- Proposed bottle, closure, dispensing method, and fill format.
- Existing test results, unresolved issues, and desired next stage.
- Expected commercial timing and production-planning context.
05.7 / Development questions
Can you review a formula we already use?
Start by sharing the current product and the change you are considering. The team can discuss the existing information, the issue to address, and what evaluation may be needed before proposing a development scope.
Can we begin before selecting the packaging?
You can begin the conversation while packaging decisions are open. Explain the formats under consideration, because the proposed bottle, closure, and dispensing method may introduce questions that belong in the development plan.
When is a formula ready for production?
A preferred development sample is one part of readiness. The formula revision, materials, proposed specifications, manufacturing requirements, packaging decisions, and necessary approvals should be reviewed together before a production program is agreed.
How are formula ownership and confidentiality handled?
Raise ownership, confidentiality, and permitted use at the start of the project. Those terms need to be established in the relevant agreement rather than assumed from a general development description.
05.8 / Define the next formulation challenge
Bring the concept, the existing formula, or the problem you need to solve. Build the development conversation around a clear objective.
Start your formula developmentContinue through the product lifecycle
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The next stage / Contract Engineering
Take the technical brief into engineering.
Florida Biotech develops or refines the formulation around your surfaces, equipment and procedures. Plant-42 can then review the formula, water specifications, packaging and supply needs for manufacturing.
Project scope, technical information, responsibilities and commercial terms are agreed for the next stage.