TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The oxylignin comprises a modified oxylignin, which is selected from a condensation reaction product between oxylignins and a condensation product between an oxylignin and a kraft lignin. The kraft lignin comprises a modified kraft lignin, which is selected from a condensation reaction product between kraft lignins and a condensation reaction product between an oxylignin and a kraft lignin. Preferred Method: In the manufacture of the negative plate, the method may further include the step of modifying the oxylignin to form a modified oxylignin and the step of modifying the kraft lignin to form a modified kraft lignin. The step of modifying the oxylignin or kraft lignin comprises condensing the oxylignin or kraft lignin using a condensation agent, which is selected from formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde and dialdehydes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The blend further comprises water, and the blend has a pH of 10 to 11.2.Preferred Materials: The lead-containing compound comprises lead oxide. The admixture for the paste further comprises carbon black, barium sulfate or sulfuric acid. EXAMPLE - A paste was prepared in a laboratory paste mixer from lead oxide with 73 % degree of oxidation, 0.2 wt % carbon black, 0.8 wt % barium sulfate (BaSO4) and 0.2 wt % organic expander. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution was added to the mixture in a ratio of H2SO4/lead oxide (LO) equal to 4.5 wt %. Water was added in an amount to yield a paste density of 4.1 g/cm3. The paste was mixed for 20 minutes at temperature not exceeding 50 degreesC. The prepared paste was pasted onto the grids and the plates were set to curing at 45 degreesC for 48 hours. The cured plates were then subjected to formation. H2SO4 with s.g. 1.05 was used. The amount of electricity that passed through the plates during formation was 1.8 of their theoretical capacity. All plates had equal weight and their rated capacity was 11 Ah at 54 % utilization of the active material.