Abstract: A process and product wherein a siliceous particulate material, that has been treated at room temperature with silicone thinned with a volatile thinner, is rendered hydrophobic and capable of absorbing oil. Particle size is between 25 and 4500 microns and treatment of the particulate material with silicone is in the proportion of approximately 5 liters of the thinned silicone to 1 cubic meter of the particulate material.