Question 1

What is Liquid Natural Clay (LNC)?

Accepted Answer

Liquid Natural Clay is a liquid suspension of natural clay particles, mechanically broken down to the nanoscale and stabilized in water. Applied to sandy or degraded soil through irrigation, it coats sand grains and creates a stable micro-structure that retains water and nutrients in the root zone. LNC is 100% natural, organic-certified, and typically effective for up to 5 years per application.

Question 2

Who developed LNC?

Accepted Answer

LNC was developed by Desert Control AS, a Norwegian technology company (listed on Euronext Growth Oslo as DSRT). The technology is patented. Saudi Desert Control is the exclusive licensed operator for Saudi Arabia.

Question 3

Is LNC the same technology featured by CNN, Reuters and National Geographic?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The soil technology covered in those features is Liquid Natural Clay (LNC). Earlier media used informal terms like "nanoclay" to describe the particle scale, but the proper product name — used by Desert Control and Saudi Desert Control — is Liquid Natural Clay (LNC).

Question 4

What makes LNC different from other soil amendments?

Accepted Answer

LNC delivers in liquid form, penetrates through irrigation, and works at the nanoscale — coating each sand grain without compacting the soil. Alternatives (gypsum, biochar, polymer hydrogels) require mechanical mixing, often compact the soil, and typically last a shorter time.

Question 5

Is LNC a fertilizer?

Accepted Answer

No. LNC does not add nutrients directly. It improves the soil's ability to retain water and the nutrients already present (or added as fertilizer). Used together with proper fertilization, LNC reduces fertilizer loss and improves nutrient uptake by plants.

Question 6

How does LNC work scientifically?

Accepted Answer

LNC consists of natural clay minerals (primarily montmorillonite-family clays) broken down to particle sizes in the sub-micron to nanometer range. When applied through water to sandy soil, the suspension infiltrates into the root zone and the clay particles bind to the surface of each sand grain. This creates a stable three-dimensional matrix with dramatically improved water and nutrient retention, without changing the soil's overall texture or causing compaction.

Question 7

What soil types can LNC treat?

Accepted Answer

LNC is most effective on sandy, coarse-textured, and degraded soils that poorly retain water. It works on coarse desert sand, loamy sand, calcareous sand, and saline-tolerant soils. On heavy clay or silt soils, the benefit is limited because those soils already retain water well.

Question 8

How deep does LNC penetrate?

Accepted Answer

LNC typically treats the top 30 to 60 centimeters of soil — the root zone for most crops, turf, and trees. The depth is controlled by the application volume and irrigation schedule.

Question 9

Can LNC handle saline water or saline soils?

Accepted Answer

LNC can improve soil behavior under moderately saline irrigation water. Custom formulations are used for saline or brackish conditions. LNC does not desalinate soil on its own but helps maintain soil structure and plant health in saline environments.

Question 10

How does LNC affect soil microbiota?

Accepted Answer

LNC creates a more stable, moisture-retentive environment in the root zone, which generally supports beneficial microbiota. Independent studies show LNC-treated soils develop healthier microbial communities compared to untreated sandy soils over time.

Question 11

How is LNC applied?

Accepted Answer

LNC is delivered through existing irrigation networks, where technically suitable — drip, pivot, or flood. It behaves hydraulically almost exactly like water and does not require new equipment.

Question 12

Will LNC clog my irrigation system?

Accepted Answer

No. LNC is formulated to remain suspended and is filtered to particle sizes that pass through standard irrigation equipment without clogging. Post-application, the system is flushed as a standard precaution.

Question 13

How long does one application take?

Accepted Answer

Application itself takes 1 to 3 days per hectare, depending on field size, irrigation infrastructure, and site access. Initial activation in the soil completes within 7 to 48 hours after application.

Question 14

When is the best time to apply LNC?

Accepted Answer

For new plantings, LNC is applied during soil preparation or right after seeding/planting. For existing fields, it can be applied at the start of a growing season. Your SDC agronomist will recommend the optimal window based on your crop cycle and irrigation schedule.

Question 15

Does LNC need to be reapplied?

Accepted Answer

One application typically remains effective for up to 5 years. After that window, a maintenance application may be recommended based on soil monitoring — not always required.

Question 16

How much water can LNC save?

Accepted Answer

Water savings typically range from 30% to 50%, depending on crop, soil type, and irrigation system. In arid conditions like those of Saudi Arabia, the higher end of that range is commonly observed.

Question 17

How much can LNC boost crop yield?

Accepted Answer

Yield increases typically range from 15% to 30%, with higher gains on previously water-stressed plots. Results vary by crop type and baseline soil condition.

Question 18

What is the ROI of LNC?

Accepted Answer

ROI depends on the crop, water cost, and baseline conditions. In high-value crops and in regions with expensive water, customers typically see payback within 12 to 24 months. For a project-specific calculation, request a pilot or consultation.

Question 19

Does LNC reduce fertilizer use?

Accepted Answer

LNC reduces fertilizer loss to leaching and runoff, which typically allows for lower application rates at equal or better plant health. Fertilizer reductions of 15% to 30% are commonly observed.

Question 20

How is LNC performance measured?

Accepted Answer

Through a combination of soil moisture sensors, plant health monitoring, irrigation water metering, and yield data. SDC includes monitoring as part of every engagement and provides regular performance reports.

Question 21

Has LNC been independently validated?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LNC has been studied by the University of Arizona, ICBA (International Center for Biosaline Agriculture), Masdar City, and several U.S. utilities and research centers. It has received funding and recognition from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Economic Forum, and the European Union.

Question 22

Is LNC approved for use in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LNC complies with Saudi Arabian standards and is applied under the supervision of SDC, a Saudi-based operator. We work closely with MEWA (Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture), Estidamah (the National Research & Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture), and other relevant bodies.

Question 23

How does LNC support Vision 2030?

Accepted Answer

LNC directly contributes to Vision 2030's targets on water efficiency, food security, green cover, and environmental sustainability. It supports the Saudi Green Initiative's afforestation program and helps giga-projects meet their green infrastructure and ESG commitments.

Question 24

Who can use LNC in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

LNC is delivered exclusively through Saudi Desert Control. Clients include farm owners, landscape developers, municipalities, golf course operators, reforestation initiatives, and giga-project masterplanners. The minimum pilot size is typically 1 hectare.

Question 25

Can I buy LNC and apply it myself?

Accepted Answer

No. LNC is delivered as a full-service engagement — including soil analysis, custom formulation, professional application, and monitoring. This ensures performance and protects the technology's integrity.

Question 26

How much does LNC cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on the project — soil type, hectarage, crop, irrigation system, and monitoring scope. We provide a custom quote after the Discovery phase. Contact us to start a pilot.

Question 27

Does SDC work on giga-projects like NEOM or ROSHN?

Accepted Answer

Yes. SDC engages with Saudi giga-projects at multiple phases — from landscape masterplanning consultation to hectare-scale LNC deployment and long-term monitoring. For NDA-level discussions, contact our partnerships team.

Question 28

Is LNC aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LNC materially improves the survival rate and establishment speed of trees in arid conditions, directly supporting SGI's 10-billion-tree commitment for Saudi Arabia and the 40-billion-tree regional target.

Question 29

What languages does SDC operate in?

Accepted Answer

Arabic and English. Our team is based in Riyadh and provides service in both languages across all engagement phases.

Question 30

How do I start a project with SDC?

Accepted Answer

Contact us via our website, email (office@saudidesertcontrol.com), or phone. We begin every engagement with a Discovery consultation to understand your site, soil, and objectives.

Question 31

How is LNC different from gypsum?

Accepted Answer

Gypsum chemically addresses sodic soils by replacing sodium with calcium on soil exchange sites — it improves soil chemistry but has limited effect on water-retention capacity in sandy soils. LNC physically modifies the sand-water interface via nanoclay coating, dramatically improving water retention regardless of soil chemistry. They address different problems; LNC's impact on irrigation volume is typically an order of magnitude higher.

Question 32

How does LNC compare to biochar?

Accepted Answer

Biochar adds porous carbon that improves soil organic matter, CEC, and microbial habitat — it is a soil amendment with clear agronomic benefits and long duration. However, it requires mechanical tilling to incorporate, is bulky to transport, and its water-retention impact on coarse sand is modest (typically +15 to +30%). LNC is delivered through irrigation, works at nanoscale, and delivers +40 to +60% water retention in the same soils. They can be complementary.

Question 33

Is LNC just another polymer hydrogel?

Accepted Answer

No. Polymer hydrogels are synthetic, petrochemical-derived, and degrade in 1 to 3 years. LNC is 100% natural clay minerals, organic-certified, with a 3 to 5-year effective lifespan. There is also a growing concern about microplastic release from hydrogel degradation; LNC has no such issue.

Question 34

Why not just add compost / organic matter?

Accepted Answer

Organic matter is excellent for overall soil health and should be used alongside LNC where available. But compost in desert conditions mineralizes rapidly (often within 1 year) and has large volume and logistics implications at hectare scale. LNC is a focused, long-duration hydraulic intervention — complementary to good organic matter management, not a replacement for it.

Question 35

Do I need to upgrade my irrigation equipment for LNC?

Accepted Answer

No. LNC is filtered to particle sizes compatible with standard drip emitters, pivot sprinklers, and flood irrigation infrastructure. Application takes place through your existing system, with a standard system flush afterward. No equipment upgrade is required for most sites.

Question 36

Does LNC perform in Saudi summer heat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LNC's effect is on soil structure at the sand-grain scale; it is stable across the full temperature range experienced in Saudi soils (typically 15°C to 55°C surface, moderated in the root zone). Some of Desert Control's longest reference programs are in Arizona and the UAE — climates equivalent to or harsher than central KSA.

Question 37

Can I irrigate with LNC-treated soil using saline water?

Accepted Answer

Yes, within limits. LNC stabilizes soil structure under saline water and can be formulated for brackish-water farms. It does not remove salt — that requires leaching — but it helps maintain plant health and soil behavior in moderately saline irrigation contexts. Custom formulation is advised.

Question 38

Is LNC compatible with standard fertigation and crop protection chemistry?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LNC is inert relative to common fertigation schedules and agrochemicals. It does not bind or sequester applied nutrients in a way that would reduce availability — in fact, it improves nutrient retention (especially nitrogen) in the root zone.

Question 39

What is the carbon footprint of LNC application?

Accepted Answer

A full life-cycle assessment has been published by Desert Control; on a per-hectare basis, LNC's carbon footprint is a small fraction of the cumulative pumping energy and fertilizer production it offsets over 5 years. Net climate impact across typical operations is strongly negative (net drawdown) when including avoided emissions.

Question 40

How long does a pilot project take?

Accepted Answer

A typical pilot follows our 4-step service: Discovery (1–2 weeks), Design (1–3 weeks), Application (1–3 days per hectare), and Monitoring (ongoing). First meaningful performance indicators emerge within one growing season; full validation typically spans two seasons.

Question 41

What is the minimum area for a pilot?

Accepted Answer

The practical minimum is 1 hectare, to ensure statistically meaningful performance measurement. For research programs (e.g., Estidamah), sub-hectare instrumented plots are possible but not the norm.

Question 42

Who within my organization should be involved in a pilot discussion?

Accepted Answer

Typically the farm or landscape manager (operations), a representative from agronomy or soil science if available, and the procurement/finance lead for budget authorization. For giga-projects and gov programs, add the ESG/sustainability officer. We conduct Discovery with whichever combination is most useful.

Question 43

What reports do I receive during monitoring?

Accepted Answer

Quarterly performance dashboards covering irrigation volumes, plant health indicators, soil moisture telemetry, and yield or growth metrics relative to pre-application baselines. Annual written reports suitable for ESG or sustainability disclosures.

Question 44

What is LNC's status with MEWA?

Accepted Answer

LNC complies with Saudi agricultural standards and is applied under the supervision of Saudi Desert Control, a KSA-based operator. We maintain active dialogue with MEWA and related bodies on technology validation and deployment pathways.

Question 45

What role does Estidamah play?

Accepted Answer

Estidamah — the National Research & Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture — operates as our scientific validation partner within the Kingdom. Our research partnership instruments representative Saudi soils and crops to quantify LNC performance under Saudi conditions, independently from SDC.

Question 46

How does SDC fit into Saudi public procurement frameworks?

Accepted Answer

As a KSA-registered operator, SDC engages public procurement via standard commercial agreements, public-private partnerships, or technology pilot frameworks depending on the institution. We routinely work with legal and procurement teams to match engagement structures to the client's internal processes.

Question 47

Where is my project data stored?

Accepted Answer

Project data — soil profiles, water metrics, yield figures — is handled under Saudi PDPL compliance, stored with Saudi or regional data residency where required, and disclosed to third parties only with your written consent.

Question 48

Is your team Saudi-based?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our headquarters is in Hittin, Riyadh, with field teams deployable across the Kingdom. We deliver in Arabic and English, with cultural and regulatory fit for the Saudi operating environment.

Question 49

Can LNC be included in corporate ESG reporting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LNC deployment produces quantifiable water savings, yield uplift, and soil restoration metrics — all of which can be referenced in sustainability disclosures (SASB, GRI, TCFD-aligned reports). SDC provides the supporting documentation.

Question 50

How does SDC relate to the public Desert Control company?

Accepted Answer

Desert Control AS (ticker: DSRT, Euronext Growth Oslo) is the Norwegian technology holder and parent. Saudi Desert Control is the exclusive licensed operator for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We apply the same patented technology, benefit from its global R&D, and deliver it locally under Saudi law and customs.

Question 51

Does LNC research have external funding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, historically from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, World Economic Forum, European Union (Horizon Europe), and other bodies. Specific grant programs are detailed on the Desert Control research page.

Question 52

What happens at the end of LNC's effective life?

Accepted Answer

After up to 5 years, the nanoclay particles remain in the soil but their water-retention effect gradually declines as soil structure evolves. A maintenance application — typically at a fraction of the original dose — restores full performance where desired. There is no hazardous residue and no disposal process.

Question 53

Can LNC be deployed at thousand-hectare scale?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Design and logistics are the main constraints, not the technology itself. Giga-project masterplans have engaged with us at hectare-to-multi-hundred-hectare zone scale, with phased deployment aligned to irrigation commissioning.

Question 54

Does LNC create vendor lock-in?

Accepted Answer

No. LNC is a long-duration soil amendment; once applied and monitored, the client retains full operational control of the land and can choose to reapply, pause, or switch approaches. There is no subscription model and no downstream equipment dependency.

Question 55

I'm new to LNC — what project should I start with?

Accepted Answer

A 1 to 5-hectare pilot on a well-instrumented plot typical of your wider operation is the ideal first project. It delivers defensible data, low capital exposure, and a clear performance signal before committing to larger-scale deployment.

Everything you want to know about LNC.

About LNC

Technical & Science

Application

Results & ROI

Saudi-specific

Still have questions?