Buyer tool
Lignosulfonate grade selector
Pick your application and the form you need. You get the products we suggest for it and the key specification of each grade, taken from our product tables and TDS.
1 · Application
2 · Form
These are starting points, not a guarantee of performance. Confirm the grade and dosage in your own trial; we send the TDS, SDS and a sample.
Sodium vs calcium vs magnesium lignosulfonate
The three main salts side by side, from our current grade tables.
| Sodium | Calcium | Magnesium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lignosulfonate (dry basis) | 55–60% min | 50–55% min | 50–55% min |
| Calcium and magnesium | 0.5% max (one grade Ca/Mg-free) | Calcium is the counter-ion (Ca & Mg 5–8%) | Mg & Ca 5–8% min |
| pH range across grades | 4 – 13 (acidic, neutral and alkaline grades) | Around 6 to 9 | 4–7 or around 10 |
| Forms | Powder (4 grades) · liquid (5 grades) | Powder (3 grades) · liquid (2 grades) | Powder (2 grades + feed grade) · liquid |
| When it is chosen | Where low calcium and magnesium are specified | General binder and dispersant; the widest grade range | Magnesium wanted, or calcium unwanted, as the counter-ion |
Liquid or powder?
How the two forms compare in handling, freight and storage.
| Liquid | Powder | |
|---|---|---|
| Handling | Pumped and dosed directly; no dissolving or dust | Must be dissolved for liquid use; dusty when handled |
| Transport cost | About half the shipped weight is water | Around 95% solids; cheaper per tonne of active material over long distances |
| Storage | Protect from freezing; shelf life typically 12 months | Keep dry; shelf life typically 24 months |
| Best fit | Large, regular volumes near the user; liquid formulations; spraying | Export, dry blending, small or irregular volumes |