A superabsorbent polymer is a water-absorbing polymer that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to its own mass. It is common to see this technology mixed into a tank when hydromulching to enhance the performance of the mulch. Water-absorbing polymers, which are classified as hydrogels when mixed, absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with water molecules.
Super absorbents can withstand numerous wet/dry cycles. The product releases moisture to plant root hairs and is replenished as a water reservoir whenever the soil receives rain or water irrigation. This allows plants to tap into the moisture retained within the super absorbents on demand during dry cycles.