A Norwegian climate-tech startup, Desert Control, has introduced an innovative material known as Liquid Natural Clay (LNC)—a technology designed to combat desertification and restore the productivity of degraded soils. The invention represents a major breakthrough for regions facing acute water scarcity and declining agricultural capacity, especially as climate change accelerates land degradation worldwide.

LNC is created through a proprietary process that converts dense, sticky clay into a liquid with a viscosity nearly as light as water. This transformation is not merely cosmetic: the liquified clay can be sprayed directly onto sandy soils using standard irrigation equipment, including sprinklers, drip systems, or water trucks. The ease of application offers a practical advantage for large-scale agricultural operations or landscape rehabilitation projects that require rapid deployment over vast areas.

Once applied to the ground, LNC works by binding to individual sand grains, forming a thin clay coating that dramatically alters the soil’s physical properties. This new soil structure behaves like a moisture-retaining sponge, slowing the fast drainage characteristic of desert sand and allowing the soil to retain both water and essential nutrients. The result is a substrate far more capable of supporting plant growth, reducing evaporation losses, and sustaining crops under harsh environmental conditions.

The technology has undergone extensive validation, most notably through field trials in the United Arab Emirates, where the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) rigorously tested LNC’s performance in arid landscapes. According to documented results, LNC treatment can convert desert sand into arable soil within hours, a stark contrast to the centuries-long natural processes that typically lead to soil formation (BBC News; National Geographic; Reuters).

One of the most significant findings from the UAE trials is the dramatic reduction in water consumption. Researchers reported that treated fields required nearly 50% less irrigation water to maintain healthy crop growth compared with untreated land. This efficiency gain is particularly critical in desert regions, where agriculture places enormous pressure on limited freshwater supplies.

The application of LNC is not limited to theoretical or experimental scenarios. It has already enabled the cultivation of crops such as wheat, watermelon, zucchini, and various vegetables in areas previously deemed unsuitable for farming. By improving the soil’s water-holding capacity and nutrient retention, farmers can reduce their reliance on heavy chemical fertilizers and costly irrigation practices.

Beyond crop production, the technology supports broader environmental goals. LNC contributes to land regeneration, soil restoration, and climate resilience, helping reverse the progression of desertification—a major global threat affecting over 40% of the world’s land surface. Its rapid deployment potential makes it a scalable and time-efficient solution for improving food security in drought-prone regions, rehabilitating degraded ecosystems, and sustaining agricultural communities facing extreme climate stresses.

As governments and environmental organizations search for sustainable strategies to protect vulnerable landscapes, Liquid Natural Clay presents a promising tool for restoring fertility to some of the world’s most challenging environments.

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Sources (reputable):

• BBC News

• Reuters

• National Geographic

• International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

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