Multi-purpose lignin-carbohydrate binding system

1 . A granule comprising (i) particles comprising an active agent and (ii) a binding agent comprising a lignosulfonate and a mixture of polyols,

wherein the mixture of polyols comprises monosaccharides, disaccharides and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, and wherein the mixture of polyols is present in an amount ranging from comprises 10-20%, by weight, based on the binding agent; wherein the mixture of polyols comprises 15% or less monosaccharides, 20% or less disaccharides, and 50% or greater hydrogenated starch hydrolysates,

wherein the active agent is an agriculturally active agent, a pharmaceutically active agent, or a food product, and

wherein the granule has a sphericity of at least 85%.

2 . The granule of claim 1 , wherein the agriculturally active agent includes fertilizers, micronutrients, pesticides, seeds, or combinations thereof.

3 . The granule of claim 1 , wherein the agriculturally active agent is a fertilizer.

4 . The granule of claim 1 , further comprising a bulk density material.

5 . The granule of claim 1 , having an aspect ratio of greater than 0.78 and a crush resistance of at least 2.0 lbs force.

6 . A binding formulation comprising a lignosulfonate; a mixture of polyols, wherein the lignosulfonate and the mixture of polyols are present in a ratio sufficient to form the granule of claim 1 ; and a fertilizer, wherein the fertilizer comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, or combinations thereof;

wherein said micronutrients include calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, chloride, magnesium, molybdenum, zinc, or combinations thereof;

wherein the mixture of polyols comprises monosaccharides, disaccharides, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, and wherein the mixture of polyols is present in an amount ranging from comprises 10-20%, by weight, based on the binding agent; wherein the mixture of polyols comprises 15% or less monosaccharides, 20% or less disaccharides, and 50% or greater hydrogenated starch hydrolysates,

wherein a crush resistance of the granule is capable of withstanding at least 2.0 lbs force; and

wherein the granule has a sphericity of at least 85%.

7 . The formulation of claim 6 , wherein said lignosulfonate comprises calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, ammonium lignosulfonate, magnesium lignosulfonate, aluminum lignosulfonate, chromium lignosulfonate, or combinations thereof.

8 . A method of making the granules of claim 1 , the method comprising admixing:

(i) particles comprising an active agent and (ii) a binding agent comprising a lignosulfonate and a mixture of polyols,

wherein each particle is at least 85% spherical, has an aspect ratio of 0.78, and is crush resistant at 2.0 lbs force;

wherein the particle includes fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, micronutrients, seeds, soil conditioners, plant growth hormones, plant growth regulators, soil moisture enhancers, and wetting agents or combinations thereof; and

wherein the lignosulfonate includes calcium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate, ammonium lignosulfonate, magnesium lignosulfonate, aluminum lignosulfonate, chromium lignosulfonate or combinations thereof;

wherein the lignosulfonate and mixture of polyols is premixed into a binder solution.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the seed includes grass, vegetable, flowers, grains, or combinations thereof.

10 . The granule of claim 1 , wherein the mixture of polyols comprises 10% or less monosaccharides, 15% or less disaccharides, and 65% or greater hydrogenated starch hydrolysates.

11 . The granule of claim 4 , wherein the bulk density material has a particle size distribution with at least 99% of the material by weight having a size less than 44 μm and 30%-70% of the material by weight having a particle size less than 5 μm and greater than 1 μm.

12 . The granule of claim 1 , further comprising a coating selected from group consisting of a sulfur-based coating, a solvent-based polymer coating, or a water-based latex coating.