Water for use in agriculture has become an expensive and scarce commodity. For instance, 85% of all water used by the Metropolitan Water District (largest in the USA located in southern California) is used for crop irrigation. Absorbent Technologies, Inc. (ATI), located in Albany, Oregon, developed a cornstarch based super absorbent polymer for use as a soil amendment to address the water use problem. The material absorbs 400 times its weight in water, forming a hydrogel that releases water to the plants on demand while diminishing water loss to evaporation and percolation.

When applied to crops at 1-7 pounds per acre, water use and frequency of irrigation can be lessened by making the water available as needed for plant growth. The product nets the farmer $350-$600 per acre in increased crop yields while also saving valuable water resources. Demand for the product has necessitated an increase in production capacity.