TRUE HYDROGEL
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
MINI WATER RESERVOIR
What is True Hydrogel?
Water and nutrients are essential for plant
growth and development. Drought stress is
one of the major limiting factors that affect
crop and fruit growth and productivity.
Plant productivity is often also limited by
adverse physical and chemical soil
properties, such as reduced macro-pore
space, resulting in low soil aeration, low
infiltration rates as well as low water
retention.
TRUE HYDROGEL act as a water retainer
that, when incorporated into a soil or a
substrate absorbs and retains large
quantities of water and nutrients. Unlike
most products that become hydrated, TRUE
HYDROGEL has the property of easily
releasing the absorbed water and nutrients,
thereby allowing the plant to have water and
nutrients available at will as a function of the
absorption - release cycles.
TRUE HYDROGEL:
● Increases the Water Holding
Capacity of soils for several years.
Irrigation frequency may be
reduced by 50%.
● Limits losses of water and nutrient
due to leaching.
● Reduces evaporation from the soil.
● Improves the physical properties of
compact soils through good aeration.
● Enhances plant growth.
Water and nutrients are
continuously available in the
root zone for optimal
absorption by plants.
● Protects the environment against
drought and groundwater pollution.
COMPOSITION
TRUE HYDROGEL is a range of superabsorbent
anionic polyacrylamide polymers. They are
crosslinked copolymers of acrylamide and
potassium acrylate that are water soluble. It has
the property of absorbing up to 500 times their
weight in distilled water and they become gel.
1
True
Hydrogel
WATER RESERVOIR
HOW IT WORKS?
The polymer consists of a set of polymeric
chains that are parallel to each other and
regularly linked to each other by cross-linking
agents, thus forming a network. When water
comes into contact with one of these chains, it
is drawn into the molecule by osmosis. Water
rapidly migrates into the interior of the polymer
network where it is stored. As the soil dries out,
the polymer releases up to 95% of the absorbed
water into the soil.
The quantity of cross-linking agent enables
modification of the polymer network:
● The more the polymer is cross-linked, the
tighter the network. Thus absorption
capacity decreases but the polymer
remains more stable over time.
● Conversely, the less cross-linking there is,
the looser the network. Absorption
volume increases, but stability is reduced.
TRUE HYDROGEL 2

Performance and Advantages

An outstanding absorption
capacity
TRUE HYDROGEL maintains its ability to
continuously absorb and release water
over a period of several years. A particular
feature of TRUE HYDROGEL is very
quick rewetting ability, even after
complete dehydration.

The influence of salts

The presence of electrolytes in the
aqueous medium significantly diminishes
the absorption capacity of TRUE
HYDROGEL. This explains the fact that
the water holding capacity of TRUE
HYDROGEL in a substrate varies around
100-150 times its weight.

A buffering effect on the

availability of fertilizers
TRUE HYDROGEL significantly reduces
the leaching of fertilizers because they are
stored in the network. The fertilizers are
available to plants for a longer time due to
a delay effect on their release.

The wilting point is delayed

TRUE HYDROGEL makes it possible to
increase the Water Holding Capacity of
soils and to delay the wilting point. A
sandy soil treated with 2 grams of TRUE
HYDROGEL per kg of soil holds water
twice as long as untreated soil. Irrigation
frequency can be reduced by upto 50% .
 TRUE HYDROGEL
Soil run off and erosion control
Soil run off and erosion control by TRUE
HYDROGEL, reduces soil compaction and
thereby increases the infiltration rate of
water into the soil. If rainwater infiltrates the
soil quickly, less water runs off and less top
soil will be eroded.
How to use?
True Hydrogel should be mixed with soil
before sowing plants/trees/bush seeds. 250-
300 grams/100 litres of soil (3-4 g per litre).
The soil shouldn’t be wet; True Hydrogel
needs to be well mixed with substrate or soil
before water moistening. For wider area use
(as grass or field) the dosage is 30 g/m2.
FAST FACTS
90%
Cross linked Copolymer of Acrylamide and Potassium
Acrylate Dry matter
95%
Available water at pF4.2 (near-permanent
wilting point)
5 Years Life Span
How to Apply?
Dry Application:
For large quantities of potting soil or backfill
around trees and shrubs use 2-5kg of True
Hydrogel/m3 or 1l of soil. Once applied the
soil needs to be thoroughly watered.50-150g
of True Hydrogel for square meter of potting
soil or backfill can also be used on new or
seeded turf using sower machines.
For small quantities of potting soil use 5g of
True Hydrogel for 1l of soil
Wet application:
The roots of small plants and seedlings can
be dipped directly into the prepared True
Hydrogel mixture prior to planting into pots.
Use 5g of True Hydrogel for 1 litre of potting
soil.
Note:
Since dry granules swell to many times their
original size when water is added, 15-20%
swelling room must be left in each planting
hole or flower pot to compensate.
Broadcast Application:
Incorporate into the soil at a depth of 4 – 6 in.
(10 – 15 cm) before sowing/planting or during
basal fertilizer applications. When applied
alone or when blended with dry bulk
fertilizer, broadcast TRUE HYDROGEL with a
fertilizer spreader. TRUE HYDROGEL can
also be blended with organic fertilizer using a
manure spreader. After the broad cast
application, TRUE HYDROGEL needs to be
properly mixed and incorporated into the soil
at a recommended minimum depth of 4 – 6
in.(10–15cm).
Banded Application:
Apply in crop or plant furrows alone or
blended with seed or dry bulk fertilizer by
using a starter fertilizer row bander or a grain
drill (Grain drill applications can only be used
in very low relative humidity environments).
3
TRUE HYDROGEL Powder can also be
mixed with liquid starter fertilizer (see liquid
fertilizer mixing guide). In addition to single
operation machines, TRUE HYDROGEL
can also be applied with combined planters
and tillage equipment Furthermore TRUE
HYDROGEL can be incorporated into the soil
alone or blended with fertilizer by using
starter fertilizer or side-dress application
equipment.
Greenhouse Application:
Mix into the plant media at a concentration
of 1.7 – 5.0 lbs. per cubic yards (1 – 3 g/l or
1 – 3 kg/m3) of substrate before planting.
Irrigate immediately after planting all the
containers until soil saturation.
Application at Transplant:
Mix with the soil extract or plant substrate.
The total application rate can vary from 0.11
– 1.41 oz. (3 to 40 grams) dry granules per
tree or shrub transplant, depending on the
species, root volume, transplant height and
climate conditions. 1/3 of the recommended
dosage is applied directly into the planting
hole while the remaining 2/3 is mixed with
the fill material. Leave a small part of
untreated soil for the final soil coverage.
Pack fills material firmly. Irrigate transplants
until soil saturation. Individual transplanting
situations and equipment will vary widely.
Contact your agronomic technical
representative for individual use
recommendations.
TRUE HYDROGEL
PRE-HYDRATED:
Pre-hydrated TRUE HYDROGEL is made by
adding TRUE HYDROGEL to water and
stirring it slowly. You could also add the
product to a water stream when filling the
nurse tank. After a swelling time of approx.
30 min. (subject to water temperature), the
gel is ready to be used. The recommended
water mixture ratio ranges from HC 60 (2.2
lbs. TRUE HYDROGEL for every 16 gal. of
clear water) => (1 kg TRUE HYDROGEL for
every 60 l of clear water) up to HC 300 (2.2
pounds TRUE HYDROGEL for 80 gal. of clear
water) => (1 kg TRUE HYDROGEL for every
300 l of clear water)
For transplanting
use pre-hydrated TRUE HYDROGEL mix with
the soil extract or plant substrate. The total
application rate can vary from 0.11 – 1.41 oz.
(3 g to 40 g) dry granules per tree or shrub
Agriculture
TRUE HYDROGEL has also shown its
effectiveness in large scale farming,
especially at the time of germination and
development of the root network due to
good aeration of the soil. The storage of
rainwater or irrigation water by TRUE
HYDROGEL delays the wilting point and
thus makes it possible for certain plants to
begin to be well established while waiting for
the water regime to become adequate.
TRUE HYDROGEL ensures a good
population and an even growth of plants
even in very permeable soils.
Arboriculture
TRUE HYDROGEL is effective in the planting
of trees, bushes, and samplings. It makes it
possible to reduce the mortality rate due to
transplanting shock and to enhance root
development and therefore bring about
more rapid growth and production.
transplant, depending on the species, root
volume, transplant height and climate
conditions. 1/3 of the recommended dosage
is applied directly into the planting hole
while the remaining 2/3 is mixed with the
fill material. Leave a small part of
untreated soil for the final soil coverage
Pack fill material firmly. Irrigate
transplants until soil saturation. Individual
transplanting situations and equipment
will vary widely. Contact your EVONIK
Sales Representative for individual use
recommendations.
On established trees-shrubs-vines
ornamentals
Apply pre-hydrated TRUE HYDROGEL in the
root zone with a MTM, AIRITECH or VOGT
Lance-Injector. The first two types of lances
use a single pneumatic system; the third type
of lance uses a system combining a
 Dig a hole about three times the volume of
the root system.
 Mix 1 to 2 kg of TRUE HYDROGEL per m3
into the earth fill.
 The polymer must be evenly mixed into
the excavated soil. A small amount of
untreated soil must be set aside.
 Place the root ball of the plant at the
bottom of the hole and fill in the hole with
the treated soil. Make sure that the
product is distributed evenly around the
roots. Then cover the surface with 5 cm of
untreated soil to prevent degradation of
the polymer by ultraviolet rays and
stagnation of water on the surface.
 Be especially careful not to put unmixed
dry product it will destabilize the plant
Lawns and Sod
Water retainers are very easily used
throughout the growth cycle of lawns and
sod. They ensure good germination, faster
root development, and regular and even
growth of lawns. The rooting of sod is also
faster. They are widely used in landscaping
for golf courses and grass in parks and
gardens.
 Work, break up, and level the soil to be
planted with grass.
 Spread True Hydrogel on the surface of
the soil. The polymer may be broadcast or
applied with a fertilizer spreader for a
more even distribution.
 Work True Hydrogel into the soil to a
maximum depth of 10 cm. This can be
done by hand with a spade or mechanically
with a disk plow or a rototiller.
4
pneumatic and a hydraulic device. All three
lances use the same method of operation.
First, a jack hammer mechanism enables the
lance to penetrate hard soils at precisely
targeted depths ranging from 6 – 48 in. (15 –
120 cm) without damaging the roots.
Second, the injector pulses pressurized air
into the soil in order to create cracks and free
space. Finally, the hydrogel is injected into
the newly created space.
The total application rate can vary between
2.82 – 14.11 oz. (80 – 400 g) dry granulate per
plant.
Application on Established Trees-Shrubs-
Vines-Ornamentals:
Apply as dry granule by using the MTM,
AIRITECH or VOGT Lance-Injector.
 Seed the lawn or lay the sod. Roll the soil
to compact it.
 Use fertilizers if needed.
Hydroseeding
TRUE HYDROGEL is commonly used in
hydroseeding to stabilize newly graded soils.
Mixed with or without cellulose mulch, it
makes it possible to maintain a minimum of
surface water, which permits rapid sprouting
of seedlings even in dry areas. The
vegetation cover develops uniformly and
rapidly over the whole treated surface. There
are no dry spots without grass.
Bare Root Dipping
TRUE HYDROGEL can be used for root
dipping in order to prevent the desiccation of
the roots of seedlings during transplanting or
transport over a long distance.
TRUE HYDROGEL 5

Soil Mixes Animal Litter TRUE HYDROGEL IN ROOTS

TRUE HYDROGEL products can also be used
as an additive in drying feed litters used in
breeding farms to replace the old generation
of phosphate based-litters. This new
generation of animal drying litter has many
benefits:
 A better comfort for the animals due to a
dryer bedding environment.
 A reduction of the odors.
 An improvement of the fertilizing value of
manure due to a better fixation of
ammonia.
 A better respect of the environment as it is
Mixed into a substrate, TRUE HYDROGEL a phosphate-free product.
Environmental consequences:
provides a reduction in water stress. It
ensures that cuttings and transplants take Biodegradation
Transporting Cut Flowers The polymer is sensitive to the action of
root better and that seedlings grow faster.
Irrigation frequencies are spread out. It is an ultraviolet rays that, by breaking bonds,
ideal solution in substrates for containers, degrade the polymer into oligomers
hanging plants, and houseplants. (molecules of much smaller size). It thus
becomes much more sensitive to the aerobic
and anaerobic processes of microbiological
Watering frequencies are degradation. TRUE HYDROGEL therefore
commonly reduced by 30% to degrades naturally in soils (upto 10% - 15%
50%, which likewise reduces per year) in CO2, H20 and nitrogen
labor costs and the amount of compounds.

water used. TRUE HYDROGEL in the form of hydrogel

may be placed in sealed plastic pouches. TRUE HYDROGEL therefore degrades
 Evenly mix TRUE HYDROGEL into the Once frozen, the pouches are often used in naturally in soils (upto 10% - 15% per year) in
substrate. The amount must be adapted to the transport of heat-sensitive plant CO2, H20 and nitrogen compounds.
each type of substrate based on water products such as cut flowers. The hydrogel
requirements and characteristics of the has excellent resistance to heat shock and
plants and cultivation and weather does not leak after thawing.
conditions. As a general rule, the more
permeable the substrate, the greater the
need for TRUE HYDROGEL.
 In permeable substrates made of bark,
wood fiber or coconut-residue, the
recommended amount is 2 - 3 kg/m3.
 In less permeable substrates, such as peat
or composts, the recommended amount
ranges from 1 to 2 kg/m3.

Mixing with Fertilizers Horticulture

To reduce leaching of nutrients in the soil, With TRUE HYDROGEL, field capacity of
TRUE HYDROGEL may be mixed dry into substrate increases and so stretches out period True Hydrogel
fertilizer preparations. The behavior of plants before to reach the permanent wilting point
fertilized with this mixture makes it possible (dry). Thus, free water is easily available,
to maintain or even increase yield while at watering frequencies are commonly reduced
the same time protecting the environment by 30 to 50 %, which likewise reduces labor
from leaching. Manufacturers' test results costs and the amount of water used.
also show better root development of the
plants. Savings on the order of 15% to 30%
are observed in the amount of fertilizers.
The polymer is added dry when the fertilizers
are manufactured.
TRUE HYDROGEL 6

True Hydrogel - Cross linked Copolymer of Acrylamide and

Potassium Acrylate
Dry matter 85% - 90%
Apparent density 0.85
3
Specific weight 1.10 g/cm

pH 8.10
Appearance of the product
Dry = white powder

True
Hydrated = transparent gel

Particle size Powders, micro granules, granules

Maximum absorption (in w/w)*
500 in deionized water Hydrogel
150 in soil

Dosage Substrate: 1 to 2 gram per liter l: 20 to 50 gram

2
per m

Effectiveness in soil Up to 5 years

Toxicity in soil None under normal conditions of use
Packaging 25-kg plastic bag
50-Lbs paper bag
Storage temperature 0° - 35°C
Shelf life of the dry product 5 years

ADVANTAGE OF TRUE HYDROGEL

Is a polymer with high water absorption capacity
Has a long lasting performance
also under soil pressure
Improves soil structure
Reduces surface runoff and soil erosion
Increases the plant available water of most soils
and reduces fertilizer leaching into ground water
Activates sustainable root growth
Enhances crop water use efficiency and allows the
reduction of the standard irrigation frequency as
well as the corresponding water costs
Improves seedling survival and establishment as
well as early plant growth
Improves yield quantity and yield quality
Is non-toxic, environmentally safe
and degradable
TRUE HYDROGEL quickly absorbs and stores tap water (1.3 mmol/l CaCO3) equivalent to more than 180 times
its own weight.
TRUE HYDROGEL performs its wetting/drying cycles over a long period of time, maintaining its very high
water swelling and releasing capacity even against soil pressure.
Due to the volume reduction as water is released to the plant, the TRUE HYDROGEL creates within the soil,
free pore volume offering additional space for air and water infiltration, storage and root growth.
TRUE HYDROGEL reduces surface runoff by increasing soil porosity and soil permeability. This achieved
higher water infiltration rate will enhance the ability of the top soil to resist erosion and improve water supply
to the lower soil layers.
TRUE HYDROGEL enhances plant available water (PAW) and nutrients (PAN) by absorbing and retaining
water and water soluble nutrients in the root zone. Water loss due to excessive percolation and
evapotranspiration, as well as nutrient loss due to fertilizer leaching can therefore be minimized.
The fast growth of the root mass to moist areas leads to an increased ability for water and nutrient uptake.
With TRUE HYDROGEL the plant will survive dry spells for a longer period of time without stress or irreversible
damage.
By applying TRUE HYDROGEL, water is stored in the macro-pore area. Water and nutrients which normally
drain away are retained in the root zone and are now readily available to plants for a longer period of time so
that irrigation intervals can be extended, generating substantial water cost savings.
TRUE HYDROGEL provides optimal and constant moisture conditions to the young seedling during
transplanting and establishment. High survival rates followed by enhanced early growth after establishment
are the result.
TRUE HYDROGEL provides a continuously available water reservoir, just where the plant needs it – in the root
zone. With a more consistent moisture supply, constant and balanced plant growth will be achieved so that the
yield potential of soils and potting mixes can be fully exploited. In rain-fed agriculture this can lead to faster
plant growth and thus faster maturity. Earlier market access ensures the best price for seasonal crops,
vegetables and fruits.
TRUE HYDROGEL is safe for humans and the environment, is not persistent and will not pollute soil, surface
and ground water. After a period of time, the polymer is susceptible to natural degradation processes in the
soil by physical and microbial activities. After solubilisation and mineralization the polymer will break down
into nonhazardous compounds, such as potassium salts, carbon dioxide and water. The polymer will be fully
integrated into soil biosphere without any negative effects of residuals on the plants, soil and soil borne
microorganisms or on groundwater.