Insoluble Humic Acid Crystal
Natural Crystal Humic Acid — Direct to Soil, No Granulation Required
CEC 300 meq/100g
Size 2–4 mm
Code JFHA-HA-C
2–4 mm crystal · 60% humic acid · CEC 300 meq/100g · pH 4.0–6.0 · no binder, no additives
Product Overview
Insoluble Humic Acid Crystal is leonardite selected and sized into natural crystal and irregular granules, without grinding, without binders and without a chemical reaction step. It is the least-processed humic product we make: the material is mined, crushed, screened to 2–4 mm and bagged.
Two things follow from that. First, the humic acid content is high — 60% minimum — because nothing has been diluted out of it. Second, the cation exchange capacity is 300 meq/100 g minimum, which is the number that actually matters for nutrient holding in a sandy or low-organic soil.
The pH sits at 4.0–6.0, noticeably more acidic than our powder or granule grades. That is not a defect; it is the natural character of high-humic leonardite crystal, and it makes the grade a useful choice on alkaline and calcareous ground where growers are fighting high pH rather than low.
Insoluble Humic Acid Crystal suits direct soil application where a dust-free, free-flowing particle is wanted — and premium organic programmes where buyers want to see a natural, minimally processed material on the specification sheet.
Key Benefits
Highest humic content of the insoluble range
At 60% minimum humic acid, this is the most concentrated insoluble grade we produce. Nothing is added and nothing is extracted, so the analysis reflects the raw seam rather than a blend.
CEC of 300 meq/100 g — the number that holds nutrients
Cation exchange capacity is what stops potassium, ammonium and trace elements from leaching past the root zone. On sandy or heavily weathered soils, this is the property that pays, more than the humic acid percentage itself.
Dust-free and free-flowing at 2–4 mm
Sized particles mean no dust cloud on the spreader, no loss to wind, and clean handling. Far more pleasant to work with than a fine powder, particularly for manual or small-equipment application.
No binders, no additives, no reaction step
The material is crushed and screened. For organic certification and for buyers who scrutinise input lists, that is a meaningfully shorter story than a granulated product carrying a binder.
Naturally acidic — useful on alkaline ground
At pH 4.0–6.0 the crystal helps moderate the rhizosphere on calcareous and sodic soils, where a neutral or alkaline amendment would add to the problem rather than offset it.
Slow, season-long release
Being insoluble and granular, the material does not flush through with the first irrigation. It releases into the soil solution gradually, which suits perennial crops and long-season programmes.
Technical Specification
| Parameter | Specification | Test standard |
|---|---|---|
| Humic acid (dry basis) | 60.0% min | GB/T 11957-2001 |
| Organic carbon (dry basis) | 50.0% min | GB/T 11957-2001 |
| Cation exchange capacity | 300 meq/100g min | NY/T 1121 |
| Moisture | 30.0% max | GB/T 11957-2001 |
| pH (1:100) | 4.0 – 6.0 | GB/T 33804-2017 |
| Grain size | 2 – 4 mm / 1 – 6 mm | Sieve method |
| Fineness | 80 – 120 mesh | Sieve method |
| Water solubility | Nil (insoluble by design) | — |
| Appearance | Black crystal / irregular granule | Visual |
| Product code | JFHA-HA-C | — |
Specification values are guaranteed minimums on a dry basis, taken from the batch Certificate of Analysis and tested against the stated Chinese industry standards. Every shipment travels with its own COA stating the tested values.
Need the full Certificate of Analysis, MSDS, or TDS for your formulation or tender file?
Form & Solubility
Form: black crystal and irregular granules in the 2–4 mm band, with a 1–6 mm cut available. Hard, angular, with a faint sheen on the fractured faces. Essentially dust-free.
In water: insoluble. The granules soften and darken the water but do not dissolve — which is expected and correct. Not for tanks, drip lines or liquid formulations.
Handling: this is the easiest insoluble grade to work with. It flows cleanly through a spreader, does not cake in the bag under normal conditions, and generates no dust — a real advantage over powder for manual application and for bagged retail product.
In soil: the granule takes up moisture, swells slightly and begins releasing into the soil solution. Breakdown is gradual across the season rather than immediate.
Which insoluble grade fits your process?
| Grade | Form | Humic acid | Organic matter | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humic Acid Powder | 80–100 mesh powder | 40–70% | 70–82% | 80–100 mesh | Granulation feed, soil conditioner base, blending |
| Humic Acid Crystal (this product) | 2–4 mm crystal | 60% min | — | 2–4 / 1–6 mm | Direct soil application, premium organic blends |
| Humic Acid Granule | 2–4 mm round granule | 40% min | 60% min | 2–4 mm | Bulk blending, broadcasting, organic fertilizer |
| Humic Acid Prills | 2–4 mm high-hardness | 40% min | 60% min | 2–4 mm | Urea/blending, mechanical spreading, export |
| Microbial Humic Granule | 2–4 mm inoculated | 40% min | 60% min | 2–4 mm | Bio-organic fertilizer, root-zone inoculation |
All five grades come from the same leonardite seam and carry the same heavy-metal declaration (Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Cr all below detection, GB 18877). They differ in particle form and where they fit in your process — not in origin.
Applications & Dosage
Direct soil application is the primary use. It also works as a visible, identifiable component in premium dry blends:
| Application | How to use | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Direct soil application | Broadcast or band before planting and incorporate. The granular form suits both mechanical spreading and manual application in orchards and vineyards. | 300–750 kg/ha |
| Orchard and vineyard | Apply under the canopy in bands or rings. Season-long release suits permanent crops where cultivation is limited. | 500 g – 2 kg per plant |
| Premium organic blends | Blend visibly into a bagged organic fertilizer. Buyers can see and identify the crystal, which supports a premium positioning. | 10–30% of formulation |
| Alkaline and calcareous soil | Use on high-pH ground where the natural acidity of the crystal helps moderate the root zone. | 500–1000 kg/ha |
| Sandy and low-CEC soil | Apply where nutrient leaching is the limiting factor — the 300 meq/100 g exchange capacity is the reason to choose this grade over others. | 500–1000 kg/ha |
| Turf and landscaping | Apply before laying or as a renovation treatment. Dust-free and easy to spread by hand or with a rotary spreader. | 300–500 kg/ha |
Packaging & Storage
| Pack size | Description |
|---|---|
| 20 kg / 25 kg | Woven PP bag with inner PE liner — standard export packing |
| 50 kg | Woven PP bag with inner liner — for high-volume programmes |
| 1000–1100 kg | Jumbo bag with discharge spout, 4 lifting loops |
| Custom | Private-label printed bag, OEM specification, retail sizes on request |
Storage: Store under cover, on pallets, in a ventilated place. Moisture is up to 30%, so keep it off bare concrete floors.
The granular form is stable and does not break down in storage. Extended exposure to rain will soften the granules and they will consolidate into a mass — this does not destroy the humic acid but makes the material unpleasant to handle. Keep it dry and it stores indefinitely. Shelf life: 24 months in original, unopened packaging.
Custom packaging, private-label printing and OEM specifications are available on request. Packaging photos are available in the product gallery.
Successful Cases
Table grape grower, Peru
Applies 2–4 mm crystal at 600 kg/ha under vine on sandy coastal ground where potassium and ammonium were leaching through the profile. Moved to this grade specifically for the 300 meq/100 g exchange capacity after two seasons of losing applied nitrogen to irrigation. Reports tighter irrigation scheduling and steadier growth between fertigations.
Explore humic acid applications →
Agriculture · Soil Conditioning
Organic fertilizer brand, EU
Includes the crystal at 15% in a bagged organic fertilizer for the retail garden market. Chose it over a granulated humic product because the visible crystal supports their ‘minimally processed input’ story, and because no binder appears on the input list their certifier reviews.
Explore humic acid applications →
Full case studies with crop data are published in our application sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ‘crystal’ mean here — is it a purified product?
No. It is naturally crystalline leonardite: sections of the seam with a dense, glassy structure that fracture into angular pieces. We select and screen it rather than synthesising anything. That is also why the analysis is high — we are sizing a rich fraction, not concentrating a poor one.
Why is the pH only 4.0–6.0?
That is the natural pH of high-humic leonardite crystal. It is not an adjustment and not a sign of contamination. It is generally an advantage on alkaline, calcareous or sodic ground. On an already acidic soil, our powder or granule grade at pH 5.0–7.0 is the safer choice, and we will say so if that is your situation.
Can I blend this with granular NPK?
Yes, and it works well where the size bands match — 2–4 mm against standard granular NPK. Because the crystal is angular and dense rather than round and light, check for segregation on your own line before committing to a large run. We can send a sample for a blending trial.
Is this suitable for organic certification?
The material is unprocessed leonardite with no synthetic additives, which is permitted under most organic standards as a soil conditioner. Certification is granted to your finished product by your own certifier, so submit our TDS, MSDS and COA to them for review. We supply those documents with every enquiry and can provide additional declarations on request.
How quickly does it break down in soil?
Gradually — that is the design. The granule softens with soil moisture and releases over weeks to months rather than days, which suits long-season and perennial crops. If you need an immediate, measurable response within days, a soluble potassium humate or fulvate is the right tool. If you are building soil across a season or more, this is.
Also Available in This Family
Insoluble Humic Acid Powder 70% – Low-Ash Grade for Oilfield & Industrial HumatesInsoluble Humic Acid Powder 50% – Humate-Salt Feedstock & General AgricultureInsoluble Humic Acid Powder 40% – Bulk Soil Amendment & Organic Fertilizer Base
Microbial Humic Granular Fertilizer – Humic Granule + Bacillus Inoculant
Insoluble Humic Acid Prills – 2–4 mm High-Hardness, 5% Max Moisture
Insoluble Humic Acid Granule – 2–4 mm Disc-Granulated, 40% Humic AcidInsoluble Humic Acid Powder 60% – Standard Grade from LeonarditeNeed a quotation or a sample?
Tell us your application, target market and packaging — we will come back with specification, price and lead time.
