Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) cut coal-ash (CCR) disposal costs by 20%+ because they work at ultra-low dosage rates (often ~0.3–0.5%), solidify in 15–30 minutes, and don’t add bulk—so you save on labor, trucking, and tipping fees. Unlike lime/cement, SAPs are inert and non-corrosive, avoid high-pH waste profile changes, and keep projects compliant with EPA Method 9095B Paint Filter requirements—even in saturated ash.

Topics: SAP, SAP Applications, HDD, ZapOut, Tunneling

Managing HDD waste slurry doesn’t have to mean truckloads of sawdust, curing delays, and high disposal costs. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) from Zappa-Stewart deliver landfill-ready solids in under 30 minutes—cutting pit volumes by 90% and reducing disposal costs by more than 20%. Backed by real-world case studies, SAPs prove to be the faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional absorbents.

Topics: SAP, SAP Applications, HDD, ZapOut, Tunneling

Reducing environmental impact is a growing priority in directional drilling, tunneling, and heavy construction. One innovative solution leading the way is superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) — sustainable, high-performance materials that solidify directional drilling mud and tunnel muck while dramatically lowering greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional materials like Portland cement and quicklime.

Topics: SAP, SAP Applications, HDD, ZapOut, Tunneling

Tunneling has emerged as the least disruptive and most efficient methodology for rail and vehicle transportation, clean water and wastewater security and conservation as well as security for the movement of chemicals and hydrocarbon through sensitive environments.

Topics: SAP, SAP Applications, HDD, ZapOut, Tunneling

Clean fuel performs better than dirty fuel. Dirt, dust, and grime can get into your fuel and seriously damage your vehicle’s engine. It's fairly obvious those materials pose a risk, but did you know that water is also considered to be a very dangerous contaminant of fuel?

When water enters a vehicle’s fuel supply, the vehicle will noticeably sputter or stall. This is due to diluted fuel reaching the fuel injectors or carburetors, pumping the vehicle’s engine with a weakened power source.

This is considered to be a "best-case scenario" of water contamination. Did you know that water can do irreparable damage to your vehicle? Even a small amount of water in your fuel tank can ruin the electric fuel pump, clog up the fuel lines, rust the interior of the tank, and cause fuel injector tips to explode.

Topics: SAP Applications

Every day our team receives many questions from current customers and interested future users of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) around the world.

We have provided answers to some of the most popular questions, below.

Topics: Super Absorbent Polymers, superabsorbent polymers, SAP Applications, Sodium polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers, SAP costs, FAQ

A Step-by-Step Guide for Minimizing Reagent Quantities and Treatment Costs

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are the most efficient available technology for eliminating free liquid and stabilizing saturated coal ash.  However, without the proper planning steps, SAPs can be severely over-applied which often leads to unexpected treatment costs and/or underperformance.   

The following steps are critical for the successful stabilization of coal ash with superabsorbent polymers: 

 

Topics: SAP, Environmental Remediation, superabsorbent polymers, SAP Applications, Wastewater Treatment Sludge, SAP costs, Coal Ash

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is commonly used in the manufacturing of ice packs used in the shipping of frozen and refrigerated food packaging.

SAP conglomerates, known as fisheyes, nodules, or gel balls, are common problems in ice pack production. 

Fisheyes are denoted as globs or conglomerates of SAP gellant that do not readily hydrate when combined with water.

Topics: superabsorbent polymers, SAPs for consumer products, SAP Applications, Fisheye, Icepacks

Industrial contractors utilize superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in wastewater treatment, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), remediation, and other industrial sectors to simplify the solidification of challenging liquid waste streams. SAPs feature the highest absorbency of any solidification technology, allowing contractors to process more sludge with less reagent, minimizing the quantity of material mixed into the waste, time spent blending reagent, and the disposal weight of the solidified waste. 

Topics: SAP vs Cement, superabsorbent polymers, SAP Applications, Wastewater Treatment Sludge, Sludge removal

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, infection control within the healthcare environment is more important than ever before. Management of potentially infectious waste needs to be strictly followed in order to keep our healthcare workers, material handlers, truck drivers and others safe from potentially virulent material.  Taking full precautions and maintaining compliance with existing regulations support employees’ health and safety, which in turn benefits hospitals and other service companies that depend on said employees.

Before starting a discussion on how Zappa Stewart solidifiers allow compliance, let’s first understand the regulations with which a product/business must comply.

Topics: Medical Waste Solidification, superabsorbent polymers, SAP Applications, Covid-19, Infectious Viruses