Leonardite Transformation into Humic Acid: City Max Creates High-Performance Mineral-Based Bio-Stimulant

Converting Leonardite into humic acid involves artificially accelerating the "maturation" of leonardite, breaking down its large organic molecules into smaller, more active humic acid compounds. City Max Group's core strength lies in the deep integration of premium raw materials and advanced processing technologies, achieving both high-efficiency conversion and superior product quality.

1. How DoesLeonarditeBecome Humic Acid?

Leonardite naturally contains native humic acid, but it mostly exists in high-molecular-weight polymerized forms and is complexed with ions such as calcium and magnesium. Its active functional groups are blocked, resulting in low biological availability when applied directly. Therefore, systematic processing is required to render it valuable as a fertilizer. Industrially, the primary method is alkaline dissolution followed by acid precipitation, while high-end products often incorporate oxidative depolymerization to increase the content of active components.

City Max's Complete Alkaline Dissolution and Acid Precipitation Process:

Leonardite raw ore → crushing and screening → acid washing pretreatment (removing ash and calcium/magnesium) → alkaline extraction → solid-liquid separation → oxidative depolymerization → acid precipitation → washing and purification → concentration/drying → finished humic acid/humic potassium product

2. Raw Material Pretreatment

Select young leonardite with a native humic acid content ≥40%. Crush to 60–80 mesh, then subject to acid washing to remove calcium and magnesium ions, thereby releasing bound humic acid into its free form, reducing ash content, and improving extraction efficiency.

3. Alkaline Extraction

Add KOH/NaOH, heat and stir. The carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups of humic acid react with the alkali to form soluble humate salts that enter the liquid phase, while the residue is filtered and separated.

4. Acid Precipitation

Adjust the pH of the filtrate to <2 by adding acid. Hydrogen ions displace potassium (or sodium) ions, causing the humic acid to precipitate out. Due to their strong hydrophilicity, small-molecule fulvic acids remain in solution and can be collected separately.

5. Washing, Purification, and Drying 

The precipitate undergoes multi-stage washing to remove salt impurities, followed by concentration and drying via spray drying or flash drying, producing finished liquid, powder, or granular humic potassium products.

6. Core Advantages of City Max Humic Acid Products  

City Max's strengths span the entire chain from raw material selection to product delivery:  

● Premium Raw Materials:Utilizes young, highly active weathered leonardite with high molecular activity;  

●Advanced Technology: Employs proprietary MRT (Molecular Reorganization Technology) to convert large humic acid molecules into smaller fulvic acid molecules, enhancing crop absorption and ensuring stable formulations; combined with LTG granulation technology for superior physical properties;  

● Outstanding Product Performance: Exceptional water solubility, dissolves across a wide pH range, resistant to hard water and flocculation, suitable for various application methods including drip irrigation and foliar spraying;  

● Authoritative Certifications: Core products certified by international organic standards such as OMRI and ECOCERT, and compliant with REACH regulations;  

● Market Recognition: Products exported to over 70 countries and regions worldwide, establishing a strong global market presence and excellent reputation.  

Converting leonardite into humic acid is a key technological pathway for high-value utilization of low-rank coal. Leveraging its independently developed MRT Molecular Reorganization Technology, along with rigorous raw material selection and multiple internationally recognized certifications, City Max Group ensures high product activity, safety, and quality consistency.  

Group Website: https://www.citymax-group.com/

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q: How significant is the difference in humic acid content and field performance between City Max's MRT molecular restructuring technology and conventional alkali-solubilization processes? Is there experimental data to support this?

A: The difference is substantial. Humic acid products made using conventional alkali-solubilization methods typically contain less than 10% fulvic acid, whereas City Max products processed with MRT molecular restructuring technology achieve over 25% fulvic acid content. In field applications, City Max products demonstrate more than a 40% improvement over conventional products in promoting root development and solubilizing phosphorus and potassium. They also show faster results in improving saline-alkali soils and loosening compacted soil. These advantages have been repeatedly verified through large-scale comparative trials in multiple countries, and the product has been exported to over 70 countries, with positive feedback from farmers worldwide confirming its effectiveness.

AuthorProfle PING｜Senior Plant Physiology and Nutrition solutions Architect,CITYMAX GROUP Focusing on interdisciplinary research and Technological translation at the intersection of plant Physiology and biostimulants,we are dedicated to Transforming fundamental scientific theories into Verifiable field solutions.By integrating cutting-edge Mechanisms with practical production applications, We drive the advancement of agricultural input R&D And deployment towards a new phase characterised By data-driven and mechanism-based approaches