The invention relates to a coherent growth substrate product, use of a coherent growth substrate product as a substrate for growing plants, or for propagating seeds, a method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate, a method of propagating seeds in a coherent growth substrate product, and a process for making a coherent growth substrate product.

It has been known for many years to grow plants in coherent growth substrates formed from man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF). MMVF products for this purpose, which are provided as a coherent plug, block or slab, generally include a binder, usually an organic binder, in order to provide structural integrity to the product. This allows the growth substrate product to retain its structure during water irrigation. However, MMVF products which are to be used as growth substrates must have a capacity to take up and hold water, which is routinely supplied by an irrigation system to the growth substrate product, and must also have re-wetting properties. Accordingly, it has been well known for some years to include a wetting agent in MMVF products which are to be used as growth substrates.

The combination of binder and wetting agent is of the highest importance in commercial growing of plants in MMVF growth substrates, as these components determine certain chemical and physical properties of the growth substrates. For example, the binder and wetting agent can affect water retention properties, re-saturation properties (ability of the growth substrate to take up water a second time once it has been wetted and then dried), initial wetting, water distribution properties (ability of the growth substrate to hold water at a more uniform concentration throughout the height, the length and the width of the growth substrate rather than concentrating at the base), phytotoxicity and mechanical properties of the MMVF plant growth substrate.

One early example of a mineral wool product which can be used as a growth substrate is given by GB-A-1336426, which describes readily wettable mineral wool products suitable for use as growth substrates. To provide structure and shape, the fibres contain a binder such as a phenol formaldehyde resin, or urea formaldehyde resin. To provide the required water-holding characteristics the product also contains a wetting agent. General classes of wetting agents are mentioned, such as anionic, cationic and non-ionic wetting agents.

EP-A-1226749 discloses a process for the production of water-absorbing mineral fibre products, which can be used for growing plants, the products comprising binder, wetting agent and aliphatic polyol. The binder can be a conventional phenol-based resin and the wetting agent can be selected from a long list including salts of higher fatty acids, alkyl or aralkyl sulphates or sulphonates, fatty alcohol sulphates, alkyl phosphates, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl phenol ethoxylates, fatty amine ethoxylates, fatty acid ethoxylates, alkyl ammonium compounds.

Further examples of documents which disclose the use of formaldehyde- containing binders include WO2009/090053, WO2008009467, WO2008/009462, WO2008/009461 , WO2008/009460 and WO2008/009465. In these examples, the binder is phenol formaldehyde resin and the wetting agents are ionic surfactants.

EP1278410 discloses the use of a non-ionic fatty acid polyglycol ester surfactant as a wetting agent, such as Rewopal E070, in a growth substrate product which is preferably bonded with a formaldehyde resin binder.

Formaldehyde binders have found widespread use because they can be economically produced. However, the use of formaldehyde-containing binders is known to have negative effects in terms of phytotoxicity. Therefore, attempting to improve the mechanical properties of MMVF growth substrates by increasing the amount of formaldehyde-containing binder can have a negative impact on plant growth and development, as plants are sensitive to formaldehyde concentrations. Furthermore, there have been suggestions that formaldehyde compounds can be damaging to health and are therefore environmentally undesirable; this has been reflected in legislation directed to lowering or eliminating formaldehyde emissions.

Other types of binder than the standard phenol urea formaldehyde type have been disclosed for use in mineral wool growth substrates

One such example is disclosed in WO2012/028650. A mineral fibre product comprising MMVF bonded with a cured binder composition is disclosed, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises (i) a sugar component, (ii) a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an alkanolamine component and (iii) a wetting agent. Preferably the wetting agent is an anionic surfactant, comprising a linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS). Although the water handling properties of the system are good, they show room for improvement. In addition, the phytotoxicity properties of the binder disclosed in WO2012/028650 could be improved. Further, the binder composition of WO2012/028650 requires relatively high temperatures for curing, therefore it would be desirable to produce a binder composition with a reduced curing temperature.

One further example is WO2015/181323 which discloses use of alkyl ether sulphates as a wetting agent in MMVF growth substrates. This document discloses bonding the MMVF substrate with one of various binders, including formaldehyde resins and sugar-containing resins.

Although not in the field of plant growth substrates, WO2007/014236 discloses various formaldehyde-free binders to be used in the fabrication of materials such as fibreglass.

Disadvantages associated with known formaldehyde-free binders include the fact that the starting materials are often relatively expensive and derived from fossil fuels.

Whilst such systems described above are effective generally, there is room for improvement in the growth substrate product in various respects. Specifically, there is a need for an improved binder and wetting agent system for MMVF plant growth substrates.

It would be desirable to provide a binder and wetting agent system which is not deemed environmentally undesirable, and which has low phytotoxicity. It would be desirable to provide systems which show improved re-saturation properties; improved water distribution properties; improved water retention and improved initial wetting. It would be desirable to provide systems which show improved seed germination, rooting-in and plant growth with a higher proportion of plants in the required selection category and with the highest uniformity between the plants. It would be desirable to provide a system which imparts the above advantages but which maintains the mechanical properties of known MMVF substrates. It would be desirable to provide a binder and wetting agent system which shows these advantages over known systems, but which has comparable convenience and economy in terms of production, and which is at least partly derived from renewable materials.

Summary of invention

In a first aspect there is provided a coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components:

a component (i) in form of one or more carbohydrates;

a component (ii) in form of one or more compounds selected from sulfamic acid, derivatives of sulfamic acid or any salt thereof.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided use of a growth substrate product according to the first aspect of the invention as a growth substrate for growing plants or for propagating seeds.

In a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product, the method comprising: providing at least one growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent; positioning one or more plants for growth in the growth substrate product; and

irrigating the growth substrate product;

characterised in that the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components:

a component (i) in form of one or more carbohydrates;

a component (ii) in form of one or more compounds selected from sulfamic acid, derivatives of sulfamic acid or any salt thereof.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of propagating seeds in a coherent growth substrate product, the method comprising:

providing at least one growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent, positioning one or more seeds in the growth substrate product, irrigating the growth substrate product; and

allowing germination and growth of the seed to form a seedling; characterised in that the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components:

a component (i) in form of one or more carbohydrates;

a component (ii) in form of one or more compounds selected from sulfamic acid, derivatives of sulfamic acid or any salt thereof.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a process of making a coherent growth substrate product comprising the steps of:

(i) providing man-made vitreous fibres;

(ii) spraying the man-made vitreous fibres with a binder composition;

(iii) spraying the man-made vitreous fibres with a wetting agent;

(iv) collecting and consolidating the man-made vitreous fibres; and

(v) curing the binder composition;

characterised in that the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components:

a component (i) in form of one or more carbohydrates;

a component (ii) in form of one or more compounds selected from sulfamic acid, derivatives of sulfamic acid or any salt thereof.

Detailed description of invention

Growth substrate product

The growth substrate product of the invention is formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF). The MMVF can be of the conventional type used for formation of known MMVF growth substrates. It can be glass wool or slag wool but is usually stone wool. Stone wool generally has a content of iron oxide at least 3% and content of alkaline earth metals (calcium oxide and magnesium oxide) from 10 to 40%, along with the other usual oxide constituents of mineral wool. These are silica; alumina; alkali metals (sodium oxide and potassium oxide) which are usually present in low amounts; and can also include titania and other minor oxides. In general it can be any of the types of man-made vitreous fibre which are conventionally known for production of growth substrates. Fibre diameter is often in the range of 2 to 10 microns, in particular 3 to 8 microns, as conventional.

Preferably the growth substrate product comprises at least 90 wt% man- made vitreous fibres by weight of the total solids content of the growth substrate. An advantage of having such an amount of fibres present in the growth substrate product is that there are sufficient pores formed between the fibres to allow the growth substrate product to hold water and nutrients for the plant, whilst maintaining the ability for roots of the plants to permeate the growth substrate product. The remaining solid content is made up primarily of binder and wetting agent.

The MMVF may be made by any of the methods known to those skilled in the art for production of MMVF growth substrate products. In general, a mineral charge is provided, which is melted in a furnace to form a mineral melt. The melt is then formed into fibres by means of rotational fiberisation such as internal centrifugal fiberisation e.g. using a spinning cup, or external centrifuging e.g. using a cascade spinner, to form a cloud of fibres. These fibres are then collected and consolidated. Binder and wetting agent are usually added at the fiberisation stage by spraying into the cloud of forming fibres. These methods are well known in the art.

Preferably the growth substrate product has an average density of from

30 to 150 kg/m ³ , such as 30 to 100 kg/m ³ , more preferably 40 to 90 kg/m ³ .

The growth substrate product preferably has a volume in the range 3 to 86400 cm ³ , such as 5 to 30,000 cm ³ , preferably 8 to 20,000 cm ³ . The growth substrate product may be in the form of a product conventionally known as a plug, or in the form of a product conventionally known as a block, or in the form of a product conventionally known as a slab.

The growth substrate product may have dimensions conventional for the product type commonly known as a plug. Thus it may have height from 20 to 35 mm, often 25 to 28 mm, and length and width in the range 15 to 25 mm, often around 20 mm. In this case the substrate is often substantially cylindrical with the end surfaces of the cylinder forming the top and bottom surfaces of the growth substrate.

The volume of the growth substrate product in the form of a plug is preferably not more than 150 cm ³ . In general the volume of the growth substrate product in the form of a plug is in the range 0.6 to 40 cm ³ , preferably 3 to 150 cm ³ and preferably not more than 100 cm ³ , more preferably not more than 80 cm ³ , in particular not more than 75 cm ³ , most preferably not more than 70 cm ³ . The minimum distance between the top and bottom surfaces of a plug is preferably less than 60 mm, more preferably less than 50 mm and in particular less than 40 mm or less.

Another embodiment of a plug has height from 30 to 50 mm, often around 40 mm and length and width in the range 20 to 40 mm, often around 30 mm. The growth substrate in this case is often of cuboid form. In this first case the volume of the growth substrate is often not more than 50 cm ³ , preferably not more than 40 cm ³ .

Alternatively the growth substrate may be of the type of plug described as the first coherent MMVF growth substrate in our publication WO2010/003677. In this case the volume of the growth substrate product is most preferably in the range to 10 to 40 cm ³ .

The growth substrate product may have dimensions conventional for the product type commonly known as a block. Thus it may have height from 5 to 20 cm, often 6 to 15 cm, and length and width in the range 4 to 30 cm, often 10 to 20 cm. In this case the substrate is often substantially cuboidal. The volume of the growth substrate product in the form of a block is preferably in the range 80 to 8000 cm ³ , preferably 50 cm ³ to 5000 cm ³ , more preferably 100 cm ³ to 350 cm ³ , most preferably 250 cm ³ to 2500 cm ³ .

The growth substrate product may have dimensions conventional for the product type commonly known as a slab. Thus it may have height from 5 to 15 cm, often 7.5 to 12.5 cm, a width in the range of 5 to 30 cm, often 12 to 24 cm, and a length in the range 30 to 240 cm, often 40 to 200 cm. In this case the substrate is often substantially cuboidal. The volume of the growth substrate product in the form of a slab is preferably in the range 750 to 86,400 cm ³ , preferably 3 litres to 20 litres, more preferably 4 litres to 15 litres, most preferably 6 litres to 15 litres.

The height is the vertical height of the growth substrate product when positioned as intended to be used and is thus the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface is the surface that faces upwardly when the product is positioned as intended to be used and the bottom surface is the surface that faces downwardly (and on which the product rests) when the product is positioned as intended to be used.

In general, the growth substrate product may be of any appropriate shape including cylindrical, cuboidal and cubic. Usually the top and bottom surfaces are substantially planar.

The growth substrate product is in the form of a coherent mass. That is, the growth substrate is generally a coherent matrix of man-made vitreous fibres, which has been produced as such, but can also be formed by granulating a slab of mineral wool and consolidating the granulated material.

Binder composition

The present inventors have found that it is possible to prepare a binder composition for coherent MMVF growth substrates that uses, to a large extent, starting materials which are renewable and at the same time allow the economical production of the binder. Since a significant part of the starting materials used for the binder according to the present invention stems from biomass and at the same time the materials used are comparatively low in price, the binder according to the present invention is both economically and ecologically advantageous. The combination of these two aspects is particularly remarkable, since "biomaterials" are often more expensive than conventional materials.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the binder composition for use in coherent MMVF growth substrates can be formaldehyde- free. Formaldehyde is commonly used as a binder for MMVF plant growth substrates, as it is relatively inexpensive and results in a product with good mechanical strength. However, plants are sensitive to the concentration of formaldehyde, which can effect plant growth and development. Further, there has been recent legislation which seeks to reduce or eliminate formaldehyde emissions, as they are seen as environmentally undesirable. The binder composition of the present invention is formaldehyde-free and has low phytotoxicity. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of binder used to higher concentrations, if necessary, in order to improve the mechanical properties of the MMVF growth substrate product, without significantly impacting plant growth and development. At the same time, the binders according to the present invention show excellent properties when used for binding MMVF growth substrate products. The binder composition has mechanical properties comparable to known binders, but has the advantage of being economical to produce, and can be synthesised largely from renewable materials. An additional advantage of the binders according to the present invention is that they have a comparatively high curing speed at a low curing temperature. Further, the binders according to one embodiment of the present invention are not strongly acidic and therefore overcome corrosion problems associated with strongly acidic binders known from the prior art.

Further, when the binder composition is used in combination with a wetting agent, excellent water-handling properties are seen. For example, the present invention shows improved re-saturation properties; improved water distribution properties; improved water retention and improved initial wetting. This ultimately leads to the growth of stronger and healthier plants.

Furthermore, when the binder composition is used in combination with a wetting agent, improved seed germination, rooting-in and plant growth with a higher proportion of plants in the required selection category and with the highest uniformity between the plants is seen.

The binder composition for use in the present invention will now be described in more detail.

The binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components:

a component (i) in form of one or more carbohydrates;

- a component (ii) in form of one or more compounds selected from sulfamic acid, derivatives of sulfamic acid or any salt thereof.

We have surprisingly found that it is possible to prepare a binder composition for mineral fibres that is based on the combination of a carbohydrate component and a component selected from sulfamic acid, derivatives of sulfamic acid or any salt thereof. It is surprising that by the combination of these two components, binder compositions can be prepared which are suitable for bonding mineral fibres. Both these components have a comparatively low price and are easy to handle. At the same time, the binders used the present invention show excellent properties when used for binding mineral fibres. The mechanical strength is improved and has also an unexpected high level when subjected to ageing conditions. An additional advantage of the binders used in the present invention is that they have a comparatively high curing speed at a low curing temperature.

The higher curing speed of the binders used in the present invention when compared to previously known binders allows the increase of the production capacity of a plant producing bonded mineral fibre products. At the same time, the low curing temperatures required for the binders according to the present invention save energy in the production process and limit the emission of volatile compounds in the production process.

Preferably the binder composition is an aqueous binder composition. This allows for improved binder mixing, improved binder distribution throughout the MMVF growth substrate, and also means that a lower binder content is required. Preferably the binders have a pH of 5.1 -10, more preferably 6-9. Preferably the binders are formaldehyde-free. For the purpose of the present application, the term "formaldehyde free" is defined to characterise a mineral wool product where the emission is below 5 μg/m ² /h of formaldehyde from the mineral wool product, preferably below 3 μg/m ² /h. Preferably the test is carried out in accordance with ISO 16000 for testing aldehyde emissions.

Component (i) of the binder composition

Component (i) is in the form of one or more carbohydrates. Starch may be used as a raw material for various carbohydrates such as glucose syrups and dextrose. Depending on the reaction conditions employed in the hydrolysis of starch, a variety of mixtures of dextrose and intermediates are obtained which may be characterized by their DE number. DE is an abbreviation for Dextrose Equivalent and is defined as the content of reducing sugars, expressed as the number of grams of anhydrous D-glucose per 100 g of the dry matter in the sample, when determined by the method specified in International Standard ISO 5377-1981 (E). This method measures reducing end groups and attaches a DE of 100 to pure dextrose and a DE of 0 to pure starch.

In a preferred embodiment, the carbohydrate is selected from sucrose, reducing sugars, in particular dextrose, polycarbohydrates, and mixtures thereof, preferably dextrins and maltodextrins, more preferably glucose syrups, and more preferably glucose syrups with a dextrose equivalent value of DE = 30 to less than 100, such as DE = 60 to less than 100, such as DE = 60-99, such as DE = 85-99, such as DE = 95-99. The term "dextrose" as used in this application is defined to encompass glucose and the hydrates thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the carbohydrate is a glucose syrup having a DE value of 60 to less than 100, in particular 60 to 99, more particular 85 to 99. Glucose syrup is preferred as it is an inexpensive source of glucose.

In a further preferred embodiment, the carbohydrate is selected from hexoses, in particular allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, talose, psicose, fructose, sorbose and/or tagatose; and/or pentoses, in particular arabinose, lyxose, ribose, xylose, ribulose and/or xylulose; and/or tetroses, in particular erythrose, threose, and/or erythrulose.

In a further preferred embodiment, the carbohydrate is selected from a hexose such as fructose, and/or a pentose such as xylose.

Since the carbohydrates of component (i) are comparatively inexpensive compounds and are produced from renewable resources, the inclusion of high amounts of component (i) in the binder allows the production of a binder for MMVF which is advantageous under economic aspects and at the same time allows the production of an ecological non-toxic binder. This is of particular advantage in binders for plant growth substrates, as plants are sensitive to certain compounds, which can often negatively impact their growth and development. In the present invention, the use of starch allows for a binder composition with low phytotoxicity.

Component (ii) of the binder composition

Component (ii) is in the form of one or more compounds selected from sulfamic acid, derivatives of sulfamic acid or any salt thereof.

Sulfamic acid is a non-toxic compound having the formula;

Besides providing binders which allow the production of mineral wool products having excellent mechanical properties, the inclusion of component (ii) also in general imparts improved fire resistance and anti-punking properties for aspects according to the MMVF plant growth substrate of the present invention. Further, the use of sulfamic acid and its derivatives in a binder composition is particularly beneficial for plant growth substrates as these compounds have low phytotoxicity.

In a preferred embodiment, component (ii) is selected from the group consisting of sulfamic acid and any salt thereof, such as ammonium sulfamate, calcium sulfamate, sodium sulfamate, potassium sulfamate, magnesium sulfamate, cobalt sulfamate, nickel sulfamate, N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and any salt thereof, such as sodium N-cyclohexyl sulfamate. In a particularly preferred embodiment, component (ii) is ammonium sulfamate.

In a preferred embodiment, the binder composition used in the present invention comprises

- a component (i) in form of a glucose syrup having a DE of 60 to less than 100, in particular of 60 to 99, more particular 85 to 99;

- a component (ii) in form of sulfamic acid and/or its salts, preferably ammonium sulfamate and/or N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or its salts.

In a preferred embodiment, the proportion of components (i) and (ii) is within the range of 0.5-15 wt.-%, in particular 1 -12 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the component (ii) is in form of N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and any salt thereof and the proportion of component (i) and component (ii) in form of N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and any salt thereof is within the range of

0.5-20 wt.-%, in particular 1 -15 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i).

Accordingly, the binder composition used in the present invention can be produced with weight proportions of the components (i) and (ii) so that the major part of the binder is the carbohydrate component, which is a renewable material.

This gives the binder of the present invention the character of a product produced from biological materials.

Component (iii)

In a preferred embodiment, the binder composition according to the present invention further comprises a component (iii) in form of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of ammonia and/or amines such as piperazine, hexamethylenediamine, m-xylylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and/or triethanolamine.

In a particular preferred embodiment, component (iii) is ammonia. The ammonia may be added as an ammonium salt and/or as ammonia. Ammonia is particularly preferred as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to handle, in comparison to other amine compounds. Use of ammonia in the binder composition disclosed herein also results in a lower curing onset and endset, in comparison to use of other amines.

In a preferred embodiment, a binder including component (iii) comprises

- a component (i) in form of a glucose syrup having a DE of 60 to less than 100, in particular 60 to 99, more particular 85 to 99;

- a component (ii) in form of sulfamic acid and/or its salts, preferably ammonium sulfamate and/or N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or its salts;

- a component (iii) in form of ammonia.

In a preferred embodiment, the aqueous binder composition according to the present invention comprises components (i), (ii) and (iii), wherein the proportion of components (i), (ii) and (iii) is within the range of 0.5-15 wt.-%, in particular 1 -12 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i), and in which the component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the molar equivalents of component (ii).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, component (ii) is in form of N- cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or any salt thereof and the proportion of components (i), (ii) and (iii) is within the range of 0.5-20 wt.-%, in particular 1 -15 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i) and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the molar equivalents of component (ii).

Component (iv)

In a preferred embodiment, the binder composition used in the present invention further comprises a component (iv) in form of a carboxylic acid, in particular selected from monomeric polycarboxylic acids, polymeric polycarboxylic acids, monomeric monocarboxylic acids, and/or polymeric monocarboxylic acid, such as polyacrylic acid.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the binder composition used in the present invention further comprises a component (iv) in form of a carboxylic acid, such as a monomeric polycarboxylic acid, preferably citric acid. In a particular preferred embodiment, component (iv) is citric acid.

A preferred aqueous binder composition used in the present invention including component (iv) comprises:

a component (i) in form of a glucose syrup having a DE of 60 to less than 100, in particular 60 to 99, more particular 95 to 99;

a component (ii) in form of sulfamic acid and/or its salts, preferably ammonium sulfamate and/or N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or its salts;

a component (iii) in form of ammonia;

a component (iv) in form of citric acid.

Preferably, the proportion of components (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) is within the range of 0.5 to 15 wt.-%, in particular 1 to 12 wt.-%, more particular 2 to 10 wt.- % component (ii) based on the mass of component (i), 3 to 30 wt.-%, in particular 5 to 25 wt.-%, more particular 8 to 20 wt.-% (iv) based on the mass of component (i) and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the combined molar equivalents of component (ii) and (iv).

The ammonia and citric acid may advantageously be added as ammonium salt of citric acid, such as triammonium citrate.

Component (v)

In a preferred embodiment, the binder composition according to the present invention further comprises a component (v) in the form of one or more additives. These additives (v) are preferably catalysts for the reaction that forms the binder on curing, namely they do not get consumed in the reaction.

Preferably the additive is a mineral acid or salts thereof. It has surprisingly been found that by adding a mineral acid to the binder composition, the properties of the binder composition according to the present invention can be strongly improved. In particular, we have found that by including a mineral acid such as hypophosphorous acid or sulfuric acid in the binder composition according to the present invention, the temperature of curing onset and curing endset can be strongly reduced. Further, the reaction loss can be reduced by including a mineral acid, while at the same time the mechanical properties of the MMVF growth substrate product are retained.

Component (v) in form of an additive selected from ammonium sulfate salts, ammonium phosphate salts, ammonium nitrate salts, ammonium carbonate salts, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, boric acid, hypophosphorous acid and phosphoric acid.

In a preferred embodiment, component (v) is hypophosphorous acid. In a further preferred embodiment, component (v) is sodium hypophosphite. In a further preferred embodiment, component (v) is one or more ammonium sulfate salt, ammonium phosphate salts, ammonium nitrate salts and ammonium carbonate salts.

Ammonium sulfate salts may include (NH ₄ )2S0 ₄ , (NH ₄ )HS0 ₄ and (NH ₄ ) ₂ Fe(S0 ₄ )2-6H ₂ 0. Ammonium carbonate salts may include (NH ₄ ) ₂ C03 and NH ₄ HC0 ₃ . Ammonium phosphate salts may include H(NH ₄ ) ₂ P0 ₄ , NH ₄ H ₂ P0 ₄ and ammonium polyphosphate.

In a preferred embodiment of the aqueous binder composition according to the present invention including component (v) comprises

component (i) in form of a glucose syrup having a DE of 60 to less than 100, in particular 60 to 99, more particular 85 to 99;

component (ii) in form of sulfamic acid and/or its salts, preferably ammonium sulfamate and/or N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or its salts;

component (iii) in form of ammonia;

component (v) in form of hypophosphorous acid.

Preferably, the proportion of components (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) is within the range of 0.5-15 wt.-%, in particular 1 -12 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i), 0.5-10 wt.-%, in particular 1 -8 wt.-%, more particular 1 -5 wt.-% component (vi) based on the mass of component (i) and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the combined molar equivalents of components (ii) and (v).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, component (ii) is in form of N- cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or any salt thereof and the proportion of components (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) is within the range of 0.5-20 wt.-%, in particular 1 -15 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i), 0.5-10 wt.-%, in particular 1 -8 wt.-%, more particular 1 -5 wt.-% component (v) based on the mass of component (i) and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the combined molar equivalents of components (ii) and (v).

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the aqueous composition according to the present invention comprises;

- component (i) in form of a glucose syrup having a DE of 60 to less than 100, in particular 60 to 99, more particular 85 to 99;

- component (ii) in form of sulfamic acid and/or its salts, preferably ammonium sulfamate and/or N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or its salts;

component (iii) in form of ammonia;

component (v) in form of ammonium sulfate.

Preferably, the proportion of components (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) is in within the range of 0.5-15 wt.-%, in particular 1 -12 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i), 0.5-10 wt.-%, in particular 1 -8 wt.-%, more particular 1 -5 wt.-% component (vi), based on the mass of component (i) and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the combined molar equivalents of components (ii) and (v).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, component (ii) is in the form of N- cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or any salt thereof and the proportion of components (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) is in within the range of 0.5-20 wt.-%, in particular 1 -15 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i), 0.5-10 wt.-%, in particular 1 -8 wt.-%, more particular 1 -5 wt.-% component (v), based on the mass of component (i), and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the combined molar equivalents of component (ii) and (v).

Component (vi)

Optionally, the aqueous binder composition according to the present invention further comprises a component (vi) in form of urea. Urea is preferably present in the binder composition of the present invention for prevention of punking. Preferably, an aqueous binder composition according to the present invention including component (vi) comprises

a component (i) in form of a glucose syrup having a DE of 60 to less than 100, in particular 60 to 99, more particular 85 to 99;

- a component (ii) in form of sulfamic acid and/or its salts, preferably ammonium sulfamate and/or N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or its salts;

a component (iii) in form of ammonia;

a component (vi) in form of urea.

Preferably, the proportion of components (i), (ii), (iii) and (vi) is within the range of 0.5-15 wt.-%, in particular 1 -12 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i), 0.5-40 wt.-%, in particular 1 -30 wt.-%, more particular 5-25 wt.-% component (vi), based on the mass of component (i) and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the molar equivalents of component (ii).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, component (ii) is N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or any salt thereof, wherein the proportion of components (i), (ii), (iii) and (vi) is within the range of 0.5-20 wt.-%, in particular 1 -15 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of component (i), 0.5- 40 wt.-%, in particular 1 -30 wt.-%, more particular 5-25 wt.-% component (vii), based on the mass of component (i), and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the molar equivalents of component (ii).

Component (vii)

In a preferred embodiment, the binder composition used in the present invention further comprises a component (v) in form of one or more compounds selected from;

compounds of the formula, and any salts thereof:

in which R1 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; compounds of the formula, and any salts thereof:

in which R2 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine;

Preferably, alkyl is Crdo alkyl. Preferably, monohydroxyalkyl is monohydroxy Crdo alkyl. Preferably, dihydroxyalkyl is dihydroxy Crdo alkyl. Preferably, polyhydroxyalkyl is polyhydroxy d-do alkyl. Preferably, alkylene is alkylene Ci -do alkyl. Preferably, alkoxy is alkoxy d-do alkyl.

Preferably, component (vii) is in the form of one or more components selected from ascorbic acid or isomers or salts or derivatives, preferably oxidized derivatives, thereof.

Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is a non-toxic, naturally-occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. Industrially, ascorbic acid can for example be obtained by fermentation of glucose. The core structure of ascorbic acid contains a unique five-membered ring, a γ-lactone, containing an enediol. Ascorbic acid can thus be classified as a 3,4-dihydroxy-furan-2-one. This has particular advantages when used as a binder for plant growth substrates, due to low phytotoxicity of this compound.

In a preferred embodiment, component (vii) is selected from the group of L-ascorbic acid, D-isoascorbic acid, 5,6-isopropylidene ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and/or any salt of the compounds, preferably calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium or iron salts. In a particular preferred embodiment, component (vii) is L-ascorbic acid.

A preferred binder composition including component (vii) comprises component (i) in form of a glucose syrup having a DE of 60 to less than 100, in particular 60 to 99, more particular 85 to 99; component (ii) in form of sulfamic acid and/or its salts, preferably ammonium sulfamate and/or N-cyclohexyl sulfamic acid and/or its salts;

component (iii) in form of ammonia;

component (vii) in the form of ascorbic acid.

Preferably, the proportion of components (i), (ii), (iii) and (vii) is within the range of 50 to 99 weight-% component (i) based on the mass of components (i) and (vii), 1 to 50 weight-%, preferably 1 to 30 weight-%, more preferably 1 to 20 weight-% component (v) based on the mass of components (i) and (vii), 0.5-15 wt.-%, 10 in particular 1 -12 wt.-%, more particular 2-10 wt.-% component (ii), based on the mass of components (i) and (vii), and whereby component (iii) is preferably present in the amount of 0.1 to 5 molar equivalents of component (iii) relative to the combined molar equivalents of component (ii) and (vii).

Component (viii)

In a preferred embodiment, the binder composition of the present invention further comprises a component (viii) in form of one or more fluorescent dye(s) being non-fluorescent after curing of the binder.

Preferably, the component (viii) is selected from the group consisting of; one or more xanthenes, such as rhodamine 101 inner salt, sulforhodamine B, rhodamine B, rhodamine 6G, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein, fluorescein sodium salt, rhodamine 1 10 chloride, eosin B, erythrosin B, eosin Y disodium salt;

one or more pyrenes, such as pyranine;

one or more diarylmethanes, such as auramine O;

one or more acridines, such as acridine yellow G, acridine orange base; - one or more triazenes, such as thiazole yellow G.

In a preferred embodiment, the component (viii) is in form of one or more xanthenes, in particular fluorescein sodium salt, in a concentration of 0.001 to 1 wt.-%, in particular 0.01 to 0.5, more particular 0.05 to 0.4 wt.-%, based on the binder solids.

The present inventors have found that by providing a curable binder composition comprising a fluorescent dye, the curing of the binder on the MMVF growth substrate product can be detected because the fluorescence of the binder material is influenced by the curing. Without wanting to be bound by any specific theory, it is assumed that the mechanism for the cease of fluorescence might, for example, be due to a decomposition of the dye or an incorporation of the dye into the curing binder.

For the purpose of the present invention, the term "cured or partly cured binder" refers to a binder which has at least been cured to a certain degree, e.g. by thermally treating in a curing apparatus, but has not necessarily been treated to achieve full curing in all regions of the product. Accordingly, the term "cured or partly cured binder" for the purpose of the present invention includes binders containing cured and uncured regions.

The binder composition used in the present invention including component (viii) allows for a surprisingly easy detection of the distribution of uncured binder by merely observing the presence or absence and/or the pattern of fluorescence on the surface of the MMVF growth substrate product and/or detecting a colour change on the surface of the MMVF product, e.g. by visual inspection. The distribution of uncured binder in or on the product can be detected within a wide time range after the production of the MMVF product and it is possible to detect the distribution of uncured binder on a MMVF product freshly made and just leaving the curing oven after cooling. Irregularities in the curing or anomalies of the binder distribution like the agglomeration of large amounts of binder in a single part of the mineral fibre product (called "chewing gums") can therefore immediately be detected and the production process can therefore be re-adjusted quickly, thereby minimizing the wastage of inadequate products. As a further advantage, the aqueous binder compositions according to the present invention including component (viii) allow such a detection in a nondestructive way.

Wetting Agent

The coherent growth substrate of the present invention comprises a wetting agent. A wetting agent will increase the amount of water that the growth substrate product can absorb. The use of a wetting agent in combination with a hydrophobic binder results in a hydrophilic growth substrate product.

The wetting agent may be any of the wetting agents known for use in

MMVF substrates that are used as growth substrates.

The wetting agent may be a non-ionic wetting agent such as Triton X-100 or Rewopal. Rewopal is an oleic acid polyethoxylate wherein the number of ethoxy groups n=70. Some non-ionic wetting agents may be washed out of the MMVF substrate over time. It may therefore be preferable to use an ionic wetting agent, especially an anionic wetting agent, such as linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS). These do not wash out of the MMVF substrate to the same extent. A preferred example is the sodium salt of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate.

In a preferred embodiment, the wetting agent is an alkyl ether sulphate surfactant. The wetting agent may be an alkali metal alkyl ether sulphate or an ammonium alkyl ether sulphate. Preferably the wetting agent is a sodium alkyl ether sulphate.

Preferably the alkyl in the alkyl ether sulphate has a chain length of 8 to 18 carbons, preferably 12 to 15 carbons, preferably 12 to 14 carbons. Such alkyl ether sulphates have a preferred molecular size which means that they are less likely to be washed out of the growth substrate product.

Preferably the wetting agent has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range 1 to 5, more preferably in the range 2 to 4. Use of such alkyl ether sulphates in growth substrate products allows the products to show enhanced wetting properties. This is believed to be due to the larger surface-tension- lowering effect of such alkyl ether sulphates, which results in lower contact angles and therefore efficient and uniform spreading of water over the fibre surface (relative to more highly ethoxylated alkyl ether sulphates).

Preferably the wetting agent has the formula;

wherein R is a C8-18 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group, preferably wherein R is a C12-15 linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic alkyl group, more preferably wherein R is a C12-14 linear or branched, cyclic or non- cyclic alkyl group; and wherein n is in the range 1 to 10, preferably wherein n is in the range 2 to 3. Such wetting agents display a large surface tension lowering effect, which results in low contact angles and therefore efficient and uniform spreading of water over the fibre surface.

A particularly preferred wetting agent is sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES), preferably wherein the wetting agent has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range 2 to 3. Such average degrees of ethoxylation are preferred as this equates to a low surface tension of sodium lauryl ether sulphate, which results in large surface-tension-lowering effect and therefore efficient and uniform spreading of water over the fibre surface. Levels of wetting agent are preferably in the range 0.05 to 3 wt%, based on the weight of the growth substrate product, in particular in the range 0.05 to 0.8 wt%, based on the weight of the growth substrate product.

Particular advantages of an alkyl ether sulphate wetting agent are that it is not easily washed out of growth substrate products. Alkyl ether sulphates improve the initial wetting of the growth substrate product compared to known wetting agents. Growth substrate products using the wetting agent of the invention are stable and maintain their initial wetting and resaturation properties in use over time.

Alkyl ether sulphates are particularly preferred as they are low toxicity wetting agents that do not adversely affect plant growth, compared to more commonly used wetting agents such as LAS. Furthermore, alkyl ether sulphates can be applied in the manufacture of a growth substrate product without the need for an additional processing agent, unlike wetting agents such as LAS.

The present inventors found that when wetting agents as defined above, including LAS and alkyl ether sulphates, are used in combination with the binder composition of the present invention, excellent water-handling properties are seen. For example, the present invention shows improved re-saturation properties; improved water distribution properties; improved water retention and improved initial wetting. This ultimately leads to the growth of stronger and healthier plants.

Furthermore, when a wetting agent is used in combination with the binder composition of the present invention, improved seed retention and propagation, rooting-in and plant growth with a higher proportion of plants in the required selection category and with the highest uniformity between the plants is seen.

Furthermore, when a wetting agent is used in combination with the binder composition of the present invention, reduced foam formation is seen. Foaming is an undesirable side effect which can result when growth substrates are subjected to wetting in a wetting line in which a spray of water droplets is applied to the substrate. Excess water and water which passes through the product is collected and recycled to the spraying system.

The growth substrate product may contain other types of conventional additives in addition to binder and wetting agents, for instance salts such as ammonium sulphate and adhesion promoters such as silanes. Use of the growth substrate product

The present invention provides the use of a growth substrate product as a growth substrate for growing plants, or for propagating seeds. It is intended that the growth substrate product of the invention is used for growing plants and for propagating seeds.

Method of growing plants

The present invention provides a method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product, the method comprising:

providing at least one growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent; positioning one or more plants for growth in the growth substrate product; and

irrigating the growth substrate product;

characterised in that the binder composition prior to curing is as described above in the present invention.

Irrigation may occur by direct irrigation of the growth substrate product, that is, water is supplied directly to the growth substrate product, such as by a wetting line, tidal flooding, a dripper, sprinkler or other irrigation system.

The growth substrate product used in the method of growing plants is preferably as described above.

Method of propagating seeds

The present invention provides a method of propagating seeds in a coherent growth substrate product, the method comprising:

providing at least one growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent, positioning one or more seeds in the growth substrate product, irrigating the growth substrate product; and

allowing germination and growth of the seed to form a seedling;

characterised in that the binder composition prior to curing is as described above in the present invention.

Irrigation may occur by direct irrigation of the growth substrate product, that is, water is supplied directly to the growth substrate product, such as by a wetting line, tidal flooding, a dripper, sprinkler or other irrigation system. The growth substrate product used in the method of propagating seeds is preferably as described above.

Process of making a coherent growth substrate

A process of making a coherent growth substrate product comprising the steps of:

i. providing man-made vitreous fibres;

ii. spraying the man-made vitreous fibres with a binder composition; iii. spraying the man-made vitreous fibres with a wetting agent;

iv. collecting and consolidating the man-made vitreous fibres; and v. curing the binder composition;

characterised in that the binder composition prior to curing is as described above in the present invention.

Preferably, steps ii and iii occur substantially simultaneously. This means that the binder composition and the wetting agent may be sprayed from separate spraying devices. Alternatively, the wetting agent and the binder may be mixed and sprayed from the same spraying device. An advantage of the binder and the wetting agent being sprayed substantially simultaneously is that the man- made vitreous fibres receive a consistent amount of both the binder and the wetting agent.

Examples

Example 1

The synthesis of binders according to the present invention and known binder compositions was carried out as follows;

Binder A (reference binder)

A phenol-formaldehyde resin modified with urea, a PUF-resol, was prepared. This binder is similar to known formaldehyde binder compositions from the prior art. A phenol-formaldehyde resin was prepared by reacting 37% aq. formaldehyde (606 g) and phenol (189 g) in the presence of 46% aq. potassium hydroxide (25.5 g) at a reaction temperature of 84°C preceded by a heating rate of approximately 1 °C per minute. The reaction was continued at 84°C until the acid tolerance of the resin was 4 and most of the phenol was converted. Urea (241 g) was then added and the mixture was cooled. Using the urea-modified phenol-formaldehyde resin obtained, a binder was made by addition of 25% aq. ammonia (90 mL) and ammonium sulfate (13.2 g) followed by water (1.30 kg).

For binder mixes containing a wetting agent, the required amount of wetting agent was then be added (for example, Rewopal, SLES, LAS).

A final binder mixture with a desired binder solids was then produced by diluting with the required amount of water and 10% aq. silane (15% binder solids solution; 0.5% silane of binder solids).

Binder B (reference binder)

A binder was prepared based on alkanolamine-polycarboxylic acid anhydride reaction products. This binder is in accordance with the binder composition disclosed in WO2012/028650.

Diethanolamine (DEA, 231.4 g) was placed in a 5-litre glass reactor provided with a stirrer and a heating/cooling jacket. The temperature of the diethanolamine was raised to 60°C where after tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (THPA, 128.9 g) was added. After raising the temperature and keeping it at 130°C, a second portion of tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (64.5 g) was added followed by trimellitic anhydride (TMA, 128.9 g). After reacting at 130°C for 1 hour, the mixture was cooled to 95°C. Water (190.8 g) was added and stirring was continued for 1 hour. After cooling to ambient temperature, the mixture was poured into water (3.40 kg) and 50% aq. hypophosphorous acid (9.6 g) and 25% aq. ammonia (107.9 g) were added under stirring. Glucose syrup (1.1 1 kg) was heated to 60°C and then added under stirring followed by 50% aq. silane (5.0 g, Momentive VS-142).

For binder mixes containing a wetting agent, the required amount of wetting agent was then added (for example, Rewopal, SLES, LAS).

A final binder mixture with a desired binder solids was then produced by diluting with the required amount of water (15% binder solids solution).

Binder C (binder according to the invention)

A binder composition for use in the present invention was prepared. A mixture of 75.1 % aq. glucose syrup (40.0 g; thus efficiently 30.0 g glucose syrup) and ammonium sulfamate (1.50 g, 13.1 mmol) in water (70.0 g) was stirred at room temperature until a clear solution was obtained. 28% aq. ammonia (0.07 g; thus efficiently 0.02 g, 1.15 mmol ammonia) was then added dropwise until pH = 7.8.

The wetting agent can be incorporated into Binder C as follows. 27% aq. SLES (0.038 g / g binder mixture) was added at the end of the above procedure, and the mixture was stirred until homogeneous.

Example 2

Various properties of the above described binder compositions were investigated, including curing onset, curing endset, reaction loss and water absorption. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. In Table 1 , Reference Binders A1 -A4 were prepared as described above for Binder A, and Reference Binders B1 -B4 were prepared as described for Binder B. In Table 2, New Binders C1 -C4 were prepared as described above for Binder C.

Table 1 Reference Binders

^[al Of binder solids. ^{[ l} Silane (Momentive VS-142) was supplied by Momentive and was calculated as 100% for simplicity. Table 2 Binders according to the invention

^[aI Of component (i). ^[bI Molar equivalents relative to component (ii). ^[cl Of binder solids.

Binder solids

The content of a binder after curing is termed "binder solids". It is measured as follows.

Disc-shaped stone wool samples (diameter: 5 cm; height 1 cm) were cut out of stone wool and heat-treated at 580 °C for at least 30 minutes to remove all organics. The solids of the binder mixture was measured by distributing a sample of the binder mixture (lumini. 2 g) onto a heat treated stone wool disc in a tin foil container. The weight of the tin foil container containing the stone wool disc was weighed before and directly after addition of the binder mixture. Two such binder mixture loaded stone wool discs in tin foil containers were produced and they were then heated at 200 °C for 1 hour. After cooling and storing at room temperature for 10 minutes, the samples were weighed and the binder solids was calculated as an average of the two results.

Binder component solids content The content of each of the components in a given binder solution before curing is based on the anhydrous mass of the components.

Reaction loss

The reaction loss is defined as the difference between the binder component solids content and the binder solids.

Curing onset and endset

The method of determining the curing onset and endset involves DMA (dynamic mechanical analysis) measurements.

A 15% binder solids binder solution was obtained by dilution of the above described binder compositions A to E with the required amount of water. Cut and weighed glass Whatman™ glass microfiber filters (GF/B, 150 mm 0, cat. No. 1821 150) (2.5x 1 cm) were submerged into the 15% binder solution for 10 seconds. The resulting binder-soaked filter was then dried in a "sandwich" consisting of (1 ) a 0.60 kg 8x8x 1 cm metal plate, (2) four layers of standard filter papers, (3) the binder soaked glass microfiber filter, (4) four layers of standard filter papers, and (5) a 0.60 kg 8x8x 1 cm metal plate for approximately 2x2 minutes by applying a weight of 3.21 kg on top of the "sandwich". In a typical experiment, the cut Whatman™ glass microfiber filter would weigh 0.035 g before application of the binder and 0.125 g after application and drying which corresponds to a binder solution loading of 72%. All DMA measurements were performed with 72±1 % binder solution loadings.

The DMA measurements were acquired on a Mettler Toledo DMA 1 calibrated against a certified thermometer at ambient temperature and the melting points of certified indium and tin. The apparatus was operated in single cantilever bending mode; titanium clamps; clamp distance 1 .0 cm; temperature segment type; temperature range 40-280°C; heating rate 3°C/min; displacement 20 μιη; frequency 1 Hz; single frequency oscillation mode. Curing onset and endset were evaluated using STARe software Version 12.00.

Water absorption studies

The water absorption characteristics of the binders were studied in a tablet test. For each binder, two tablets were manufactured from a mixture of the binder and stone wool shots from the stone wool spinning production.

For each of the binder compositions A to E, a 15% binder solids solution containing the required amounts of silane (Momentive VS-142)was obtained. A sample of this binder solution (4.0 g) was mixed well with shots (20.0 g). Shots are particles which have the same melt composition as the stone wool fibers, and the shots are normally considered a waste product from the spinning process. The shots used for the tablet composition have a size of 0.25-0.50 mm.

The resulting mixture was then transferred into a round aluminium foil container (bottom 0 = 4.5 cm, top 0 = 7.5 cm, height = 1.5 cm). The mixture was then pressed hard with a suitably sized flat bottom glass or plastic beaker to generate an even tablet surface. Two tablets from each binder were made in this fashion. The resulting tablets were then dried at 95 °C for 1 h followed by curing at 250°C for 1 h. After cooling to room temperature, the tablets were carefully taken out of the containers.

The tablets were weighed and were then dipped vertically into 2 cm deep water in a 250 mL glass beaker with inner 0 = 5.5 cm for 30 seconds, lifted up vertically and held in this position until there was >10 seconds between each drop, followed by weighing. The tablets were then completely submerged horizontally in water for 1 minute, lifted up and held horizontally until there was >10 seconds between each drop and then turned gently vertical and held in this position until there was >10 seconds between each drop. The tablets were then weighed. Finally, the tablets were left submerged horizontally in water for 24 h at room temperature followed by the same dripping off procedure as above and then weighing.

Acid tolerance

The acid tolerance (AT) expresses the number of times a given volume of a binder can be diluted with acid without the mixture becoming cloudy (the binder precipitates). Sulfuric acid is used to determine the stop criterion in a binder production and an acid tolerance lower than 4 indicates the end of the binder reaction.

To measure the AT, a titrant is produced from diluting 2.5 ml cone, sulfuric acid (>99 %) with 1 L ion exchanged water. 5 mL of the binder to be investigated is then titrated at room temperature with this titrant while keeping the binder in motion by manually shaking it; if preferred, a magnetic stirrer and a magnetic stick can be used. Titration is continued until a slight cloud appears in the binder, which does not disappear when the binder is shaken. The acid tolerance (AT) is calculated by dividing the amount of acid used for the titration (mL) with the amount of sample (ml_):

AT = (Used titration volume (mL)) / (Sample volume (mL))

Conclusions

From Tables 1 and 2, the following conclusion can be drawn;

The inclusion of wetting agents has only a minor (if any) impact on the curing characteristics. This can be seen, for example, with comparison of the curing onset and endset of C1 with C2/C3/C4 in Table 2. This is advantageous as a negative impact would have been a drawback.

Similarly, the reaction losses also remain unchanged upon addition of a wetting agent; a significant increase would have been undesirable.

The water absorption data clearly demonstrates that the addition of SLES or LAS to the new binders does increase the water absorption compared to the wetting-agent-free binders.

From comparison of the curing onset and endset temperatures between reference binders and new binders, it can be seen that the binders used in the present invention have curing conditions which are comparable to Binder A formaldehyde binders and lower than known formaldehyde-free binders, Binder B.

From comparison of the water absorption properties between reference binders and new binders, it can be seen that water absorption is improved for binders of the present invention when SLES is used.

Example 3

A plant phytotoxicity test was undertaken in order to investigate the effect of binders as defined according to the present invention on plant growth (Binder C). Known binders, phenol urea formaldehyde (Binder A) and the sugar-based binder composition as defined in WO2012/028650 (Binder B) were also investigated for comparison.

All binders were diluted to 3-4 solutions with nutrient solution, having the following concentrations;

- A 0.04%, 0.4%, 4%, 6%

- B 0.04%, 0.4%, 4%

- C 0.04%, 0.4%, 4%, 6% Virgin stone wool was submerged with 160 ml of a solution, 3 seeds were planted and covered with vermiculite per pot. The pots were then transferred to a growing chamber for a week. Afterwards the length of the first leaf (cotyledon leaf) and the total amount of germination per pot (1 , 2 or 3 seeds germinated) were measured. Flamingo seeds (cucumber) were used.

The bar chart in Figure 1 shows the leaf length per concentration and per binder.

It can be seen from the Figure 1 that the binder of the present invention generally has a better influence on the growth of the plant in relation to the current binders.

When Reference Binder A is used at high concentrations of 4/6%, no growth is observed.

The above test was repeated on cucumber seeds, but this time including a sodium alkyl ether sulphate as a wetting agent (SLES). The binders in combination with the SLES wetting agent had the following concentrations (with a ratio of 1 SLES : 40 binder)

- Binder 0.04% 0.4% 4%

- Wetting agent (SLES) 0.001 % 0.01 % 0.1 %

The results are shown in Figure 2.

It can be seen from the Figure 2 that the binder of the present invention shows better growth in relation to binders A and B. When Reference Binder A is used at high concentrations of 4%, no growth is observed.