Jarchem Introduces Jartherm™, a Polymer that Absorbs and Desorbs Water as the Temperature Changes

Jartherm™ improves quality of soil for healthier vegetation in arid land conditions

Newark, NJ, July 31, 2003 - Jarchem Industries, supplier of specialty ingredients for the chemical, food, cosmetics and personal care industries announces the introduction of Jartherm™, a thermo-sensitive water absorbing and desorbing hydrogel polymer. Due to their unique desorbing properties, hydrogels or "smart gels" have been the subject of academic studies conducted around the world, but this is the first time this amazing ingredient has become commercially available.

According to Jarchem, Jartherm absorbs water at temperatures lower than a pre-set thermo-sensitive point just like conventional, water-absorbing polymers. One gram of Jartherm absorbs 100 cc water and has been shown to be reusable and regenerative up to 100 times. The most notable feature of Jartherm, however, is that it also desorbs water at temperatures above the thermo-sensitive point. Jartherm is available with thermo-sensitive points of 20°C, 30°C and 40°C and can be custom designed to have thermo-sensitive points of up to 70°C.

Jartherm's properties make it especially effective as an agricultural tool that improves soil quality and plant cultivation on arid land where water resources are scarce. A vegetation test using lawn grass and cabbage in sandy soil that was irrigated once a week, showed that, after three weeks of sprouting, the soil treated with Jarchem produced more sprouting, growth and development, than the soil in which no additives were used, even after watering at low frequency.

Other applications in which Jartherm would be beneficial include as a material used in the construction of: diapers, paper towels, bandages, cosmetic formulations, water-proof sealing materials, water purification, temperature sensors, irrigation, dust control agents, chemical valves, water desalination, urethane foam, solid - liquid separation materials, sand bags, and organic R&D synthesis.

Arthur Hein, Vice President of Jarchem's Specialty Chemical Division, says, "Never before has there been a polymer with the unique ability to absorb water and then, when the temperatures rise to a certain degree, gradually desorb the water back into the soil, as well. This is a completely new type of soil water-holding agent and one that will greatly increase soil quality and therefore, vegetation in areas where the soil is typically dry and cracked. We expect Jartherm to be nothing short of revolutionary in the worlds of agriculture, horticulture and many other industries that will utilize Jartherm's absorbing and desorbing properties to improve their products."