Oil absorbents come in a variety of shapes, materials, and uses. Generally, they are ideal for oil spills on the road and workplace. As oils travel fast, rapid-acting absorbents are a must, which means it’s good to have an oil absorbent on hand to deal with any accidental oil spills.

Keep reading to learn more about oil absorbents and our product recommendation. 

What Are Oil Absorbents Made Of? 

Oil absorbents fall into three overall categories: natural organic, natural inorganic, and synthetic. Natural organic oil absorbents are made of materials found in nature that are carbon-based. This covers a wide range of items including feathers, and corn cobs.

Synthetic oil absorbents are human-made products that are specialized to absorb high qualities of oil while repelling water. Polyethylene nylon and other plastics are commonly used synthetic oil absorbents.

How Do Oil Absorbents Work? 

Oil absorbents work on the simple principle of absorption, taking on the liquids they are placed in. The most effective oil absorbents are both oleophilic and hydrophobic, or oil attracting and water-repelling. Natural oil absorbent materials often are not hydrophobic but can be effective in cleaning up spills in dry environments.

Which Absorbent Is The Best? 

ABC Balancing Beads is pleased to offer an absorbent made up of an organic blend that is safe for the environment with over twenty times the absorption rate of conventional absorbents. The addition of oil and hydrocarbon digesting microbes allows for the disposal of the used sorbent contaminated with oil into the environment.

ABC Absorbent can remediate a wide range of liquid spills other than oils or hydrocarbons, such as synthetic oils, fuels, coolants, paints, polymers, solvents, oils with PCBs, and herbicides.

Oil spills on land that require a fast response or in locations difficult to reach by vehicle, the absorbent should be as light and compact as possible to facilitate transfer by personnel on foot. That requires a sorbent with a high pickup-to-weight ratio plus a high oil containment capability.

ABC Absorbent can remediate a wide range of liquid spills other than oils or hydrocarbons such as:

  • Synthetic oils
  • Fuels
  • Coolants
  • Paints
  • Polymers
  • Solvents
  • Oils with PCBs
  • Cyanides
  • Sulfides
  • Insecticides
  • Herbicides. 

ABC Absorbent, The Way To Go 

When it comes to being environmentally friendly, ACB Balancing Beads strives to bring great value and provide environmentally friendly solutions. If you find yourself facing an accidental oil spill on the road or in the workplace, you’ll want to make sure you have a safe, high pick-up sorbent material that is environmentally friendly.