A method of manufacturing an expanded granular material comprises: forming a mixture comprising a silicate material, an alkali compound and water; curing the mixture to form a solid precursor; crushing and/or milling the solid precursor to form an expandable granular material; and heating the granular material to form an expanded granular material.

A method of manufacturing an expanded granular material comprises: forming a mixture comprising a silicate material, an alkali compound and water; curing the mixture to form a solid precursor; crushing and/or milling the solid precursor to form an expandable granular material; and heating the granular material to form an expanded granular material.

A synthetic growing media, such as for a hydroponic growing system, includes a plastic body having multiple legs pointing in different directions. One or more of the legs has a bulbous tip. A synthetic growing medium comprising an aggregate of synthetic growing media and hydroponic system for plant cultivation are also disclosed.

A synthetic growing media, such as for a hydroponic growing system, includes a plastic body having multiple legs pointing in different directions. One or more of the legs has a bulbous tip. A synthetic growing medium comprising an aggregate of synthetic growing media and hydroponic system for plant cultivation are also disclosed.

A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

Disclosed herein are feedstock materials which can be used for the manufacture of industrial products and consumer goods. The feedstock materials comprise particles of a comminuted paper product having fibrous portions on an outer surface thereof distributed throughout a diagenetically formed mineral aggregate comprising gypsum, syngenite and magnesium hydroxide and/or magnesium sulphate. The feedstock material, and products produced therefrom, is adapted to degrade when buried. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing the feedstock materials, and products produced from the feedstock materials.

The present disclosure relates to a floatable island and to the use of a floatable island, the floatable island comprising at least one layer, and the layer has a structure containing grains, the grains consisting of an expanded mineral material.

The present disclosure relates to a floatable island and to the use of a floatable island, the floatable island comprising at least one layer, and the layer has a structure containing grains, the grains consisting of an expanded mineral material.

Provided is a class of functional soil amendment a C:N ratio that does require a cascading effect to produce solid organic matter and improve porosity. This results in superior carbon capture.