Abstract: A process for absorbing oil and a particulate oil-absorbing composition are provided, which composition in dust form displays a low explosion hazard and a low flammability, but which after absorption of oil is flammable and entirely consumed when burned, the particles comprising as the major component at least 50% by weight hydrophobic cellulose pulp fibers blended with at least 30% up to 50% of an inorganic cellulose paper pulp filler.

Abstract: A process is provided for the absorption of organic liquids, particularly oil, using hydrophobic fibrous material prepared by impregnating fibrous material comprising cellulose fibers with a liquid resinous material selected from the group consisting of acrylate prepolymers and polymers, alkyd prepolymers and polymers, and polyester prepolymers and polymers in an amount to provide in the impregnated fibrous material from about 0.5 to about 30% by weight polyacrylate, polyalkyd or polyester, and then heating the impregnated fibrous material to convert the polymer or prepolymer by chemical reaction into a hydrophobic polymer rendering the fibrous material hydrophobic.