Making good use of lignin

Lignin: a raw material with a future

RETENTIS® consists of processed lignin, a natural component of wood that is produced as a by-product of the pulp industry. The material can store water and dissolved nutrients. This turns a residue that has so far mostly been burned into a product for the soil.

Material use instead of incineration

• Upgrading a residue: lignin from pulp production is used as a material instead of for energy.
• Conserving resources: irrigation water is used more efficiently.
• Renewable raw material: lignin is a natural wood component and grows back with every tree.

Benefits for agriculture, forestry and municipalities

1. Water management: water is stored in the root zone and released gradually.
2. Nutrients in the root zone: dissolved nutrients can be buffered and leaching losses reduced.
3. No synthetic polymers: no microplastics entering the site.
4. Long-lasting effect: active for 3–5 years, depending on conditions.

Examples of use

• Vegetable growing: in the greenhouse trial in Almería, tomatoes yielded more with 20% less water than the fully irrigated control (to the trial report).
• Orchards: a more even water supply during dry phases.
• Forestry projects: a water reserve directly at the root ball of the seedlings.
• Municipal green spaces: longer intervals between waterings.

How RETENTIS® is made from lignin