Absorbent Rolls

Absorb and retain spills with absorbent rolls. Available in three variations, this type of spill control can be cut to size depending on the type and size of spill that you encounter. Cromwell stocks a wide range of absorbent rolls of different sizes, types and absorbent capacities to suit your needs from reputable brands, like Ecospill® and our exclusive brand, Solent®. For further information on Spill Control products, find more in our Spill Control Expert Guide.

What are absorbent rolls?

Absorbent rolls are versatile spill control products designed to efficiently absorb and contain liquid spills in various industrial, commercial, and household settings.

These rolls typically consist of layers of absorbent material, such as natural or synthetic fibers, encased in a durable outer cover. Absorbent rolls are available in different types, each with unique characteristics and intended uses.

Why absorbent pads?

Any business whose operations include pollution risks are obligated to have emergency spill kits on site. Spillages in the workplace pose a risk, not only to staff but also to the surrounding environment, including aquatic life.

Absorbent rolls are quick and easy to apply. They're versatile and can be cut or ripped to size and then folded or shaped around leaking pipes or placed under machinery to catch oil leaks before they make contact with surfaces. Extremely durable and mostly low-linting, they're an ideal choice for production and distribution settings to tackle small to medium-sized spillages.

The DEFRA Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001 and the Environment Agency's Pollution Prevention Guideline 26 (section 7: Dealing with Spillages) lays out guidance and legislation for dealing with emergency spills as part of business safety management systems. This includes the use of containment and absorption to prevent spills from spreading to other areas.

When are absorbent rolls used?

Suitable for small to medium spillages, the liquid must be either slow moving or stationary on a flat surface for absorbent rolls to be effective.

Fast moving spills that risk polluting waterways should be contained using absorbent booms alongside absorbent cushions and rolls or pads to ensure all the liquid is retained. Absorbent granules can be used after the main bulk of the spill has been tidied up to ensure complete recovery of the liquid.

Types of absorbent rolls

There are three types of absorbent rolls to suit different spillage requirements.

Chemical Rolls: These rolls are formulated to safely absorb and neutralise hazardous chemical spills, such as acids, bases, and corrosive substances. They help mitigate the risks associated with chemical spills by effectively containing and neutralising the spilled materials. They are yellow in colour.

Oil- Only Rolls: Specifically designed to absorb oils and hydrocarbons while repelling water, these rolls are ideal for cleaning up oil spills on land or water surfaces. They float on water, making them particularly useful for controlling oil spills in aquatic environments. They are white in colour to help you to easily denote the correct type of absorbent to use for each spill.

Maintenance rolls are a type of absorbent material used for ongoing maintenance tasks, such as cleaning up leaks, drips, and spills that occur during routine operations in industrial, commercial, or household settings. These absorbents are typically designed to absorb common fluids encountered during maintenance activities, such as oils, lubricants, coolants, and water-based liquids. They are colour coded as grey.

Considerations when choosing absorbent pads

• Absorbency capacity - Select absorbent rolls with a high absorbency capacity relative to the type and volume of liquids you expect to encounter. Higher absorbency allows for quicker containment and cleanup of spills.

• Compatibility - Ensure that the absorbent rolls are compatible with the types of liquids you are likely to encounter. Different absorbents may be better suited for specific types of spills, such as oils, chemicals, or water-based fluids.

• Environmental impact - Consider the environmental impact of the absorbent material, particularly if spills may occur in sensitive ecosystems or waterways. Choose environmentally friendly options that minimise ecological harm.

• Safety features - Look for absorbent rolls with safety features, such as non-slip backing or fire-retardant properties, to enhance worker safety during spill cleanup operations.

• Safety features - Choose absorbent rolls in appropriate sizes for the intended application. Larger rolls are suitable for covering larger spill areas.

Absorbent rolls jargon buster

We want to make it easy for you, so here are some key terms that will help you understand the range and applications a little better.

What does the safety standard BS 7959 mean?

BS 7959 is not as complicated to understand as it first appears and is relevant to the absorbent materials used for the control of liquid spillages.

Let's break it down...

• BS - This is the acronym for British Standards.

• 7959 - This is the assigned legislation number.

• 1 - This refers to the part of the written legislation relevant to the product, in this case, the sorbency (strength of absorption) of the materials (sorbents) used to control liquid spillages

• 2 - the determination of water repellence or buoyancy of hydrophobic (oil-only) absorbents

FAQs

What are oil absorbent rolls made of?

Oil-only absorbent rolls are made of oleophilic and hydrophobic polymers that repel water while attracting oil. They're lighter than water and can easily float on the surface of a stream or lake to absorb oil contaminants.

How do you dispose of absorbent rolls?

Used absorbent rolls must be disposed of in accordance with the absorbed liquid destruction regulation.

What does sorbent mean?

A sorbent is any ingredient used to absorb or adsorb a spillage.

What's the difference between absorb and adsorb?

To absorb is where one material soaks up another to combine. To adsorb is where one material sticks to the surface of another material, with both materials remaining separate.

How do absorbent rolls work?

When placed onto a spillage, the bonded layers of sorbent absorb the liquid and retain it to the pad's capacity. The bonding process makes the rolls extremely durable, so they don't rip when wet and make for easy clean up.