Beaverton, Ore.-Absorbent Technologies Inc. (ATI) has announced the recent signing of a marketing agreement in the United Kingdom for its Zeba water-saving soil amendment, which works below the soil surface to absorb and release water to plant roots as needed. ATI officials said the arrangement is with Pluvium Ltd. to market the patented starch-based hydropolymer throughout the UK. “The Pluvium distribution agreement helps to expand the global availability of Zeba and provide a chance for customers world-wide to benefit from the technology,” reported Larry Logan, chief marketing officer of the Zeba brand. “Together, we look forward to increasing the quality and playability of sports fields and courses throughout the United Kingdom, while reducing maintenance costs.” Logan noted that Zeba was recently named Turfcare Product of the Year by Turf Professional magazine in the UK, which features turf industry innovations. At the same time, ATI is claiming significant successes with large-scale growers of potatoes, tomatoes, sugar beets, and dry beans. “Zeba, which helps plants establish a stronger root system, resulting in a healthier, stronger plant using less water, pretty much can be used on anything,” boasted Southwest Sales Manager Todd Bridges. Bridges told Green Markets that ATI is also working with Fresno State and area retailer Gartootelian to improve quality and tonnage for alfalfa producers in Fresno County. Bridges explained that the starch-based hydropolymer was originally developed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and licensed to ATI by USDA. He said applications are generally blended with liquid or dry fertilizer, but also can be applied directly. He described the main ingredient as cornstarch, which attaches with the polymers to produce a 95 percent water release, whereas crosslinked polymers also absorb and hold 200 to 300 percent their weight, but only release 20 percent.
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