Sustainable Alternatives to Synthetic Superabsorbent Polymers for Hydroseeding and Hydromulch Applications (2025-2026)
Abstract
This project aims to develop sustainable alternatives to synthetic super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) used for water retention and plant growth in land rehabilitation and revegetation. It will utilize UQ Biogel technology (TRL 4) from The University of Queensland, transforming cellulose waste into a biodegradable water-holding gel that avoids microplastics. The novelty lies in its WATER-FREE manufacturing process, which addresses high costs, scalability, and water logistics. Lab-scale biogel costs $1192/ton vs $7773/ton for SAPs. The AEA project aims to advance this technology to TRL 5, optimizing it for hydromulch/hydroseeding, testing manufacturing with Vital Chemical Pty Ltd (Vital Chemical), and validating it through plot trials.
