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CGK Chemical Process Solutions is part of CGK Group

Absorbents guidelines

The right absorbents ensure safety. Absorbents are specially made to absorb oil and aggressive liquids. Absorbents help prevent, mitigate and recover from a calamity.

Collecting a spill with the spill kit
Collecting a spill with the spill kit

Why use absorbents?

Working with hazardous substances and oil involves risks due to their hazardous properties: corrosive, environmentally polluting, highly flammable, toxic, etc.
When releasing and cleaning up these substances, you have to consider the risks like exposure, damage, fire, explosions and environmental pollution.

When working with oil or hazardous substances, a spill or leak is a real risk. If a spill or leak occurs, it must be cleaned up immediately to prevent (environmental) pollution, damage and exposure. For this, you need to use the right absorbent material.

The right absorption material depends on

  • the dangerous substance or oil
  • the situation/environment (indoor, outdoor, floor, Atex, under machinery, in collection containers, etc.)
  • the amount of spillage
  • personal preferences

Absorbent types

Absorbents are available in various shapes and sizes, specifically designed to safely and effectively clean up oil and hazardous liquids.

Absorbents mandatory by law

In the Netherlands, it is mandatory for companies with staff to carry out an RI&E (Risk Inventory and Evaluation) with an additional plan of action. When using chemicals, a spill/leakage is a real risk so you also have to make provisions to clean this up safely.

In addition, in the Netherlands, PGS15 (Hazardous Substances Storage Directive) requires the presence of materials in or near a storage facility to immobilise, neutralise or absorb spills/leaks of hazardous substances (PGS15: 2016 3.4.9) Employees should receive instructions for this purpose and company management should keep them up to date (PGS15: 2016 3.4.10).

Our absorbents are in compliance with the European Directive 89/391/EEC, which mandates the implementation of measures to promote enhancements in the safety and health of workers in the workplace.

How to act in an emergency

  • Assess the situation
  • A personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Locate and dam in
  • Stop leakage at the source
  • If under control, absorb and store/dispose properly
  • Disinfect and clean
  • Evaluation of emergency
  • Replenish resources

Need absorbent materials?

Get more information or request a no-obligation quote.