Tackifiers

Tackifiers are a vital part of the hydroseeding process. Sometimes known as Soil Binders, these are products hydroseeding contractors add to a hydroseeding mixture to bind the seed, fertiliser and mulch to the soil surface. Tackifiers are multipurpose. Not only do they help the mixture stick together and cover the soil surface, but they also promote the longevity of the hydroseed mulch and help prevent weather erosion.

Hydroseeding UK uses high-quality Polyacrylimide products that are specially designed to re-wet slowly. This increases moisture retention and ensures greater longevity than other conventional tackifiers.

All tackifiers used in our hydroseeding operations are high-quality and biodegradable, ensuring you receive a service that is of the highest standard yet will not harm the environment.

Tackifiers Overview

There are a wide variety of tackifiers that can be used in the hydroseeding process. Hydroseeding UK is proud to use premium quality polyacrylamide (PAM) products. We believe this tackifier is the best available. Read through the list below to look at a comparison of the three most commonly used tackifiers and their properties.

Guar

Guar is derived from the seeds of cluster bean plants and was originally the most popular tackifier. Guar gum is a water-soluble paste that is slippery when wet and becomes sticky as it dries. Guar is environmentally friendly and even puts nitrogen back into the soil.

Although it is cheap compared to other tackifiers, Guar always needs to be imported and it has a relatively weak molecular structure. It is formed of long molecular chains that are easily broken when wet – this means its durability and ability to protect against adverse weather conditions is limited. Despite this, Guar can be ‘crosslinked’ – this is a process that reduces its water solubility but results in the plant having stronger bonds and therefore greater longevity.

Plantago

Used since prehistoric times as part of herbal remedies, Plantago is made from the ground protective coating of Plantago seeds, also known as psyllium. It is good at stabilising soils and is often used for dust control. It is very cheap and not harmful to the environment. Despite this, many industry professionals find little use for it as it is weaker than Guar, making it less cost-effective.

Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM)

PAM is a biodegradable chemical that is cost-effective, efficient and durable. It is particularly popular because of its hydrating properties – the chemical compound helps retain large amounts of water in the hydroseed mulch. This means that instead of glueing the mulch to the soil, as is the case in plant-based tackifiers such as Guar and Plantago, it actually causes the particles to swell and conglomerate, making them bigger and heavier instead of tacking them down. This creates a more suitable environment for the seeds to take root and grow. In comparison, Guar and Plantago both lose their tackiness relatively quickly, leading to erosion.

It is for these reasons that Hyrodseeding UK are confident in using PAM. PAM is more durable than its competitors, making it much more efficient and cost-effective. As a result of this, PAM is also better at holding slopes. Due to its hydrating properties, contractors will need to use considerably less PAM than Guar over a large application.