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The future of Dust Suppressant...
Surekleen Dusty
Surekleen Dusty is a bio-derived dust suppression and road stabilisation system designed for unsealed surfaces in mining, civil construction, quarrying, and industrial operations.
The product utilises Australian lignosulfonate, a naturally derived polymer extracted from lignin during the pulp and paper manufacturing process.
When applied to soil or road surfaces, lignosulfonate performs three essential functions:
• binds fine particles together
• reduces moisture loss
• stabilises the road surface
The result is a significant reduction in airborne dust generation, improved road durability, and lower operational costs.
How is Surekleen Dusty Positioned within the current market?
Surekleen Dusty is not simply a dust suppressant.
It is best understood as a road fines stabilisation technology.
Dust is not a separate problem — it is a symptom of fines leaving the road surface.
Dusty works by stabilising those fines.
This changes the entire operational conversation from:
“how do we stop dust”
to
“how do we keep the road intact”.
Why this matters:
Dust suppression is critical for:
Safety
Dust reduces operator visibility and increases accident risk.
Health
Fine particulate matter can cause respiratory issues.
Environmental compliance
Dust emissions are increasingly regulated.
Equipment longevity
Dust accelerates wear on machinery.
Community relations
Dust drift from industrial sites can create complaints and regulatory scrutiny.
Dust Science...
Understanding Unsealed Roads
An unsealed road is a carefully balanced material system.
It is not simply “dirt”.
A functioning haul road contains a mixture of particle sizes.
The fine fraction is critical.
Without fines, the aggregate becomes loose.
When fines leave the surface, the road begins to degrade.
What Creates Dust?
Dust is generated when the fine fraction becomes mobile.
Three mechanisms cause this.
Mechanical disturbance
Vehicle tyres shear the road surface and dislodge particles.
Wind erosion
Loose dry fines are lifted by air movement.
Surface drying
As moisture leaves the road, natural binding forces weaken.
Dust Science...
Why Water Alone Fails...
Water suppresses dust only temporarily.
Water adds moisture but does not create durable particle bonding.
When water evaporates:
- fines remain loose
- dust returns.
This leads to the familiar cycle of constant watering.
The Fines Retention Principle
The real objective of dust suppression is:
Retain the fines in the road surface.
Surekleen Dusty achieves this by bonding fines together.
HOW DUSTY WORKS...
Surekleen Dusty suppresses dust through three interacting mechanisms.
Mechanism 1 — Wetting
Lignosulfonate reduces the surface tension of water.
This allows the solution to spread across and penetrate the road surface.
Better wetting ensures the product reaches the fine particles that generate dust.
Mechanism 2 — Particle Binding
Lignosulfonate molecules adsorb onto soil particles.
As water evaporates, the polymer forms adhesive bridges between particles.
These bridges stabilise the fines.
The surface becomes more cohesive.
Mechanism 3 — Moisture Retention
Lignosulfonate attracts and retains atmospheric moisture.
This slows drying of the treated surface.
A slightly moist road surface produces significantly less dust.
Surface Crust Formation
After application and curing, a thin flexible crust forms at the surface.
This crust locks fines into place.
Unlike brittle synthetic polymers, lignosulfonate surfaces remain flexible under traffic.
Dusty can be applied in two primary ways.
APPLICATION MODES (SURFACE VS MIX-IN)
Surface Treatment
Surface spraying is the most common application.
Diluted product is sprayed onto the road surface using a water cart or spray truck.
The solution penetrates the upper soil layer.
As it dries, the lignosulfonate bonds the fines.
Typical Use Cases
- operational haul roads
- temporary access roads
- construction sites
- stockpile areas
- industrial yards.
Mix-In Soil Stabilisation
Dusty can also be mixed into soil prior to compaction.
This technique is used during road construction or rehabilitation.
The lignosulfonate binds soil particles throughout the road layer.
This produces longer lasting stabilisation.
Application engineering determines the effectiveness of the dust suppressant. Poor application often causes product failures.
APPLICATION ENGINEERING
Typical Application Equipment
Dusty can be applied using:
• water carts with spray bars
• spray trucks
• agricultural boom sprayers
• irrigation systems for large areas
Water carts are the most common equipment on mine sites.
Spray Distribution
Uniform spray coverage is critical.
The spray system should deliver:
- even distribution across the road
- minimal streaking
- controlled flow rate
Operators should ensure spray bars are calibrated and nozzles are clean.
Application Rate Concept
Application rates are typically described in:
litres per square metre (L/m²)
Factors affecting required rate include:
- traffic intensity
- soil composition
- climate
- road condition
- dust severity.
Curing Period
After application, the treated road should ideally remain undisturbed for a short period.
During this curing period:
- water evaporates
- lignosulfonate bonds particles
- surface stabilisation develops.
Heavy traffic immediately after application may reduce effectiveness. That being said in most instances the treatment occurs almost instantly and so there is no need for long waits for curing.
Dust suppression performance depends strongly on environmental conditions.
CLIMATE AND TRAFFIC ADJUSTMENTS
Temperature
High temperatures increase evaporation rates.
In hot climates:
- higher application rates may be required
- maintenance intervals may shorten.
Rainfall
Rainfall can temporarily reduce dust.
However, heavy rainfall may dilute or wash away surface treatments.
After significant rain events, roads should be inspected and retreated if necessary.
Traffic Volume
Higher traffic loads increase abrasion of the road surface.
High traffic roads may require:
- higher initial treatment rates
- more frequent maintenance applications.
Vehicle Speed
Higher speeds generate stronger air turbulence.
This turbulence lifts more dust.
Speed management can significantly improve dust control performance.
Environmental performance is increasingly important in industrial chemical selection.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
Biodegradability
Lignosulfonate is derived from natural lignin polymers found in wood.
These polymers are biodegradable and naturally occurring.
Environmental Compatibility
Because lignosulfonate originates from plant material, it is widely considered environmentally compatible compared to many synthetic chemical alternatives.
Reduced Chemical Footprint
Dust suppression technologies vary in environmental impact. Dusty therefore offers a favourable environmental profile.
Reduced Water Consumption
Dusty reduces the frequency of water cart operations.
This results in:
- lower water usage
- reduced fuel consumption
- lower carbon emissions from water trucks.
