BioFuels Journal

Beaverton OR (June 10, 2009) -- Absorbent Technologies, Incorporated (ATI), the developer, producer and marketer of Zeba® brand superabsorbent grass seed coating technology, is helping homeowners be more successful at growing grass by using water more efficiently.

The starch-based Zeba coating allows grass seed to absorb more water than ordinary seed. As a result, the seed can still germinate even if consumers miss a day of watering. Zeba’s biodegradable starch base is important to consumers interested in sustainable gardening practices.

As the exclusive Zeba licensee for consumer grass seed in the United States, The Scotts Company LLC, has incorporated Zeba seed coating into its newly introduced Turf Builder® Grass Seed with Water Smart™.

“We’re very happy that Zeba can add significant water retention to Scotts new Water Smart formula,” said Milan Savich, ATI CEO and president. “Licensing our proprietary superabsorbent, exclusively to Scotts, is an important step in our Zeba brand-building efforts.”

ATI began working with Scotts more than three years ago to give the industry leader an in-depth look at the positive effects Zeba’s water absorption and release capabilities can produce for consumers who maintain their own lawns and gardens.

“With our previous success in production agriculture and commercial turf, we knew that Zeba could make a positive impact on the success rate of growing grass from seed,” said Savich. “Scotts extensive research further proved that consumers would see the value of Zeba in helping to successfully establish lawns. Scotts believes in our technology and has included the Zeba logo on Water Smart grass seed packaging.”

Worldwide, Zeba is used as a coating for a variety of seeds, as well as granulated products for use in production agriculture, landscaping and nursery applications. Zeba absorbs as much as 500 times its weight in water, creating a readily accessible moisture supply for germinating seeds and for plants during critical growing periods.

Based in Beaverton, OR Absorbent Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is a privately-held, science-based company dedicated to the development, manufacture and marketing of starch-based superabsorbent products and ingredients to increase productivity in agriculture and industry. ATI offers ingredients for agriculture under the Zeba® brand and for industrial uses under the Reon® brand. Formed in 2003, the Company operates two production plants in Albany, Oregon and markets products in more than 60 countries. Visit www.Zeba.com for more details on ATI and Zeba.

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