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German technology
Humic Substances Based Products
Humintech GmbH
Am Pösenberg 9-13
D-41517 Grevenbroich

Telefon: +49 2181 70 676 - 0
Fax: +49 2181 70 676 - 22
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What is Leonardite?

Leonardite is by nature a sustainable and efficient raw material that is formed by weathering from deposits of lignite and is used in many sectors and industries. Unlike normal soft lignite, Leonardite has a higher degree of oxidation and thus contains a higher proportion of humic acids and bioactive carboxyl groups. The best source of Leonardite is near-surface sedimentary layers of soft lignite, which contain humic acids in very high concentrations.

The Scientific research into lignite and its useful properties has a long tradition in Germany, beginning with the work of the chemist Franz Carl Achard (1753-1821). 

The commercial use of lignite containing humic acid, e.g. as a dye under the name "Kölner Braun" from the Cologne lignite district and "Kassler Braun", dates back to the 19th century in Germany. In the course of the last century, the use of humic acid has become established in the agricultural sector, medicine and the environmental sector, among others.

Humintech is a German technology company based in Grevenbroich that is building on this long-standing tradition. We mine the valuable raw material, which is up to 20 million years old, under licence from the world's largest lignite producer RWE/Rheinbraun. Our experienced geologists select the mining areas of the well-known excellent German lignite sources according to low pollutant content and high degree of oxidation, which is of decisive importance for the bioactivity of the raw material. Post-mining landscapes have been recultivated by RWE/Rheinbraun since the early 1970s. Since then, we have been developing and producing humus-based products for agriculture and other sectors. During production, we pay special attention to gentle processing of the raw materials in order to preserve their bioactive structures. Our many years of experience and patented processes are a guarantee for the unique quality of our products, which is repeatedly confirmed by our customers worldwide. Our products are exported to resellers and formulators in over 70 countries and we are now one of the leading producers and exporters of humic-based products.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST OPENCAST MINE

The Garzweiler opencast mine is located west of Grevenbroich. The Garzweiler open-cast mine contains around 1.2 billion tonnes of lignite at a depth of up to 210 metres and produces around 35 million tonnes of lignite per year. Navi target coordinates 51.045.919°N 6.564.381°E.

Humintech site next to the Garzweiler open-cast mine. 
Navi target coordinates: 51.05784748244179°N, 6.560639663384552°E.

Spectacular views of the Garzweiler open-cast mine.

Examination of a coalbed at the lignite mining strip site Garzweiler II, Germany.

Garzweiler II, lignite mine, Germany

Garzweiler II, lignite mine, Germany

Garzweiler II, lignite mine, Germany

Garzweiler II, lignite mine, Germany

HUMINTECH GmbH

Humintech is a biotech company based in Grevenbroich, Germany. We are primarily focused on the research, development and industrial production of humic matter and humic acids for the agricultural sector. Our products find further use in pharmaceutical, construction industry, for ecological purposes such as water purification and soil decontamination.

Contact

Humintech GmbH

Am Pösenberg 9-13
41517 Grevenbroich / Deutschland 

Phone: +49 2181 70 676 - 0
Fax: +49 2181 70 676 - 22
E-Mail

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