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Vermiculite is a mineral resource substance (a type of rock) with various properties that contribute to the quality and application of the product. It prevents mold formation, ensures a good moisture balance in the packaging, provides aeration and space and makes a product easier to sprinkle. 

Mould can have a negative effect on biological pest control, especially on the outcome of pupae. That is why vermiculite is often chosen as carrier material; this is an inert material. This means that it contains no nutritional value on which fungi or bacteria can grow.  

The main function of vermiculite for packaging natural enemies is to regulate moisture levels during storage, transport and possibly during application (in case of pupae that have yet to hatch in the greenhouse). It also provides a drinking water supply for the organisms. Vermiculite works as follows: when heated, it pops just like popcorn. This creates a very light grain with high moisture-containing levels. This is very important for natural enemy organisms because both too high as well as too low moisture levels will affect them negatively. If moisture levels are too low, this will lead to higher mortality rates from dehydration, but if the moisture content is too high, this can lead to condensation in which the biological pest control organisms can drown. Also, too much moisture can cause clump formation (which complicates the scattering of a product) and provides more opportunity for fungal or bacterial growth.< 

Each natural enemy prefers a different ideal moisture percentage and is therefore combined with a specific type of vermiculite to match. This contributes to maintaining the quality of products during transport and storage. When other components in the product already have a naturally fairly high humidity level, dry vermiculite can act precisely to make the carrier material clump less quickly.

Another important function of vermiculite is to create an optimal environment for the natural enemies. In particular, the size of the vermiculite grains plays a role here. The correct size ensures that the organisms have enough air and space while in the packaging. A larger grain provides more air and space, but can also lead to pressure due to its weight. Therefore, different sizes of vermiculite are used.

Vermiculite also makes it easier to distribute or scatter the product. The size of the grains and the amount of vermiculite compared to other components are also important. By adding vermiculite to smaller packaging, such as a bottle of MACROcontrol, the contents can be distributed over various distribution points. With larger products, such as a bag of MONcontrol Chrysanthemum, vermiculite ensures that the product can be distributed properly across the crop with the Biospreader. 

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