Workability improvement
Increased slump and improved placing/finishing at the same water content, or the ability to reduce water while maintaining target slump (mix-dependent).
Product Construction Chemicals
Lignosulfonate Water Reducer
Conventional lignosulfonate-based plasticizer designed to improve workability and reduce water demand in concrete and mortar systems—cost-effective for general-purpose mix designs and routine production.
Improved slump & finishing (mix-dependent)
Conventional water reduction / plasticizing
Liquid or powder (grade-dependent)
Supports routine production & procurement programs
Packaging: bags / drums / IBC / bulk (as applicable)
Documentation: SDS / COA / TDS on request
Lead time depends on grade, lane & volume
Supply model
B2B • Quotation-based
Typical buyers
Ready-mix • Precast • Admixture blenders
Use cases
Concrete • Mortar • Screeds
Incoterms
EXW / FCA / FOB / CFR / DAP (as agreed)
Applications
Lignosulfonate water reducers are widely used as a conventional plasticizer to improve workability and/or reduce water content in general-purpose concrete. They are often selected when a reliable, cost-effective admixture is required for routine production—ready-mix, precast, and mortar systems.
Ready-mix concrete
Improve slump and finishing without increasing water demand. Common for standard strength grades where predictable production behavior is prioritized.
Routine production
Workability
Pumpability
Precast & components
Support compaction and surface finish in molds. Grade selection can be aligned to your cycle time and curing method.
Surface finish
Compaction
Cycle planning
Mortar & screeds
Improve spread, cohesion, and placing behavior in mortar systems. Useful where consistent application and reduced rework are important.
Cohesion
Workability
Finish
Why lignosulfonate grades are chosen
- Conventional water reduction and plasticizing effect (mix-dependent)
- Improved slump/workability for placing and finishing
- Cost-effective admixture option for routine programs
- Compatible with many standard cement systems (confirm per cement type)
Performance is sensitive to cement chemistry, SCMs (fly ash/slag), aggregates, temperature, and admixture sequence. Share your mix design and target slump to align the correct grade and dosage window.
Performance expectations
Conventional lignosulfonate plasticizers are typically evaluated on workability gain, water reduction, setting behavior, and finish quality. The final response depends on mix design and jobsite conditions.
Water reduction
Conventional water reduction for routine mixes. Exact reduction depends on dosage, cement fineness, aggregates, and temperature.
Set control (grade-dependent)
Some lignosulfonate grades can influence setting time. Align grade selection with your transport time, placement window, and curing approach.
Finish & cohesion
Helps improve surface finish and cohesion in mortar and concrete. Confirm performance when using high SCM content or specialty cement systems.
Strength development
Water reduction can support strength performance at equal slump. Actual strength gain depends on total water/cementitious ratio and curing.
Compatibility planning
Confirm interactions with air-entrainers, retarders/accelerators, and PCEs. Sequencing can affect results.
If you’re transitioning from another plasticizer, share current dosage and performance issues (slump loss, setting shift, finish, air content). We’ll align a comparable or improved grade.
Typical specifications & formats
Final values depend on grade and customer requirements. Request the TDS and confirm details on quotation.
| Product class | Conventional water reducer / plasticizer based on lignosulfonate chemistry (grade-dependent). |
|---|---|
| Forms | Powder or liquid (per inquiry). Grade and solids content vary by supply lane. |
| Typical applications | Ready-mix concrete, precast, mortar and screed systems; general-purpose production. |
| Dosage guidance | Dosage depends on cement type, mix design, and performance targets. Provide your cementitious content and target slump/retention. (Exact dosage range is supplied on the TDS for the chosen grade.) |
| Compatibility notes | Confirm with air entrainment targets, accelerators/retarders, and other water reducers. Trial batching is recommended for new cement sources or SCM changes. |
| Packaging | Bags (powder), drums/IBC (liquid), bulk (as applicable). Palletization and labeling can be specified for repeat programs. |
| Documentation | SDS and COA on request; TDS available for selected grades. Additional documentation can be aligned to destination needs. |
Specifications may vary depending on batch, origin, and packaging selection. Always validate against the latest TDS/SDS.
Use guidance
For consistent outcomes, control dosing accuracy and sequencing. Below is a practical approach used in concrete production. Confirm your final procedure with the selected grade’s TDS and site SOP.
Define performance targets
Set target slump and retention time, water/cementitious ratio, and any strength/finish requirements. Document temperature range and transport time.
Confirm compatibility
Confirm cement type and SCMs (if any). Note existing admixtures (air-entrainer, retarder/accelerator, PCE) and decide sequencing.
Trial batching & optimize dosage
Run trial batches to identify the dosage window delivering target slump and stability. Monitor air content, setting time shift, and strength development.
Standardize dosing & QC
Lock in dosing method (weighing, volumetric), ensure consistent mixing time, and build a QC checklist for daily production.
Practical tip: Changes in cement source, fineness, SCM percentage, or temperature can change the effective dosage. If you share your mix design, we can help frame a trial plan and RFQ data pack.
Compatibility considerations
Compatibility depends on cement chemistry and the full admixture package. Provide your mix details for correct grade selection.
Often compatible
Many standard Portland cement mixes, typical aggregates, common batching procedures.
Confirm with trials
High SCM content, specialty cements, strict air-entrainment requirements, extreme temperatures.
Interaction checks
Air-entrainers, retarders/accelerators, and blends with PCE—sequencing can change response.
If you want a standards-aligned solution, specify whether you target EN 934-2 or ASTM C494 classification (if applicable in your project context).
Quality & documentation
Procurement-ready support: SDS and COA are available on request; TDS can be provided for selected grades. If you have vendor onboarding requirements, include them in your RFQ.
SDS
Safety Data Sheet for handling, storage, PPE, and hazard classification.
COA
Certificate of Analysis for the supplied batch (where applicable).
TDS (on request)
Technical Data Sheet with typical properties, application guidance, and dosage notes for the selected grade.
Yes, depending on the supply lane and your performance requirements. Share your preferred form, packaging, and target application (ready-mix/precast/mortar) so we can align the correct grade.
Yes. For repeat orders, we can align packaging, labeling, and documentation bundles to your production SOPs. Provide forecast volume and delivery cadence.
Mix design basics (cement type, SCMs, cementitious content), target slump and retention time, temperature range, and your packaging/incoterms requirements. This allows a spec-aligned offer rather than a generic quote.
Packaging & logistics
Packaging selection and lane planning depend on form (powder vs liquid), volume, destination, and unloading constraints. We’ll confirm your Incoterms preference and packaging early to produce a usable quotation.
Powder packaging
Typically supplied in bags or big bags depending on grade and lane. Palletization can be specified for procurement programs.
Liquid packaging
Drums or IBC for liquid grades. Share storage temperature constraints and transfer method (pump/valves).
Trade terms
EXW / FCA / FOB / CFR / DAP (as agreed). Provide port/city, delivery date, and Incoterms in your RFQ.
To speed up quoting, include: destination, Incoterms, required packaging, expected annual volume, and any site unloading limits (forklift, pump transfer, etc.).
Request a quotation
Send your technical requirements and commercial preferences. We’ll respond with a specification-aligned offer.
RFQ checklist
Copy/paste the items below into your message for the fastest technical match.
- Form: powder or liquid
- Application: ready-mix / precast / mortar
- Cement type + SCMs
- Target slump + retention time
- Temperature range + transport time
- Current admixtures (air-entrainer, retarder/accelerator, PCE)
- Volume: one-time + monthly/annual estimate
- Packaging: bag / drum / IBC / bulk
- Destination + Incoterms
- Documents: SDS/COA/TDS + any onboarding requirements
Prefer email? Send your RFQ to contact@atlastradehouse.com. For time-critical pours, include your required delivery date.
What you receive
Typical outputs after a complete RFQ.
- Grade recommendation + TDS/SDS availability
- Packaging and logistics proposal
- Documentation bundle (SDS/COA/TDS as agreed)
- Commercial quotation aligned to Incoterms
Procurement-ready
Repeat supply options
Documentation on request
Use main RFQ form
The main RFQ form helps route your request to the correct supply lane and compliance setup.
FAQ
Common questions from production and procurement teams.
Lignosulfonate grades are typically conventional water reducers/plasticizers used for general-purpose workability. Superplasticizers (e.g., PCE) are high-range water reducers with stronger water reduction and often improved slump retention.
Setting behavior can be influenced depending on grade, dosage, cement chemistry, and temperature. If you have tight finishing windows, share your constraints so we can align grade selection and dosing guidance.
Many systems use lignosulfonate plasticizers with air-entrainers, but interactions can vary by cement and admixture brand. Trial batching is recommended when air content is tightly specified.
Mix design basics (cement type, SCMs, cementitious content), target slump and retention time, temperature/transport time, and packaging/destination/incoterms. This allows a spec-aligned offer rather than a generic quote.
If you’re moving from a PCE to lignosulfonate for cost reasons (or vice-versa for performance), share your baseline mix and pain points.