A process for making microcapsules of an oil which are in dispersion in water
comprises
the steps of; (i) forming an initial dispersion of the oil in water in the presence
of a surfactant, (ii) heating the initial dispersion above its phase inversion
temperature, to form a bicontinuous phase composition, (iii) allowing or causing
the composition to cool to below the phase inversion temperature so as to form
an emulsion of oil droplets in the water, and (iv) encapsulating the oil droplets.
The oil preferably has dissolved in it an oil-soluble or oil-dispersible active
ingredient selected from agrochemicals, cosmetics, fragrances, sun-screens, ink-jet
dyes, pigments, toners, biocides and pharmaceutical and veterinary products including
drug delivery systems.