{
    "version": "2.0.0",
    "generated_at": "2026-05-13T17:19:59+00:00",
    "site": "https://www.serpro.co.uk",
    "type": "absorbent-type-guide",
    "description": "Structured SERPRO guide to oil-only, general-purpose, chemical and format-specific absorbents.",
    "total": 8,
    "items": [
        {
            "id": "oil-only-absorbents",
            "absorbent_type": "Oil-only absorbents",
            "best_for": [
                "Oil",
                "Fuel",
                "Diesel",
                "Petrol",
                "Hydraulic oil",
                "Lubricating oil"
            ],
            "not_best_for": [
                "Water-based coolants",
                "Aqueous chemicals",
                "General mixed water-based spills"
            ],
            "formats": [
                "Pads",
                "Rolls",
                "Socks",
                "Pillows",
                "Booms"
            ],
            "selection_notes": "Oil-only absorbents are normally selected where hydrocarbon liquids must be absorbed while water is rejected or ignored.",
            "supporting_pages": [
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/oil-only-absorbents",
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/can-i-use-oil-only-absorbents-on-water"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "general-purpose-absorbents",
            "absorbent_type": "General-purpose absorbents",
            "best_for": [
                "Coolants",
                "Mild oils",
                "Water-based fluids",
                "General workshop liquids",
                "Maintenance leaks"
            ],
            "not_best_for": [
                "Aggressive acids",
                "Aggressive alkalis",
                "Unknown hazardous chemicals",
                "Oil recovery from water"
            ],
            "formats": [
                "Pads",
                "Rolls",
                "Socks",
                "Granules"
            ],
            "selection_notes": "General-purpose absorbents are a practical everyday choice for workshops, stores, maintenance areas and mixed non-aggressive spills.",
            "supporting_pages": [
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/general-purpose-absorbents-KB",
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/which-absorbents-should-i-use-for-coolant"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "chemical-absorbents",
            "absorbent_type": "Chemical absorbents",
            "best_for": [
                "Acids",
                "Alkalis",
                "Solvents",
                "Cleaning chemicals",
                "Unknown chemicals subject to assessment"
            ],
            "not_best_for": [
                "Routine oil-only work where water rejection is needed",
                "Low-risk water-only clean-up"
            ],
            "formats": [
                "Pads",
                "Rolls",
                "Socks",
                "Pillows",
                "Chemical spill kits"
            ],
            "selection_notes": "Chemical absorbents should be selected with reference to the SDS, COSHH assessment and site emergency procedure.",
            "supporting_pages": [
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/chemical-spill-control",
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/chemical-absorbent-pads-rolls"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "absorbent-pads",
            "absorbent_type": "Absorbent pads",
            "best_for": [
                "Small spills",
                "Final clean-up",
                "Wiping flat surfaces",
                "Benches",
                "Floors"
            ],
            "not_best_for": [
                "Fast-spreading spills needing containment first",
                "Large perimeter control"
            ],
            "formats": [
                "Lightweight pads",
                "Medium weight pads",
                "Heavyweight pads"
            ],
            "selection_notes": "Pads are usually best after the spill has been contained or where the liquid is already localised.",
            "supporting_pages": [
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/spill-pads-vs-spill-rolls",
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/pads-rolls"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "absorbent-rolls",
            "absorbent_type": "Absorbent rolls",
            "best_for": [
                "Walkways",
                "Production lines",
                "Under machinery",
                "Longer runs of absorbent coverage"
            ],
            "not_best_for": [
                "Tight corners where socks are easier",
                "Floating oil containment"
            ],
            "formats": [
                "Oil-only rolls",
                "General-purpose rolls",
                "Chemical rolls"
            ],
            "selection_notes": "Rolls are useful where absorbent needs to be cut to length or laid across a larger working area.",
            "supporting_pages": [
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/spill-pads-vs-spill-rolls",
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/pads-rolls"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "absorbent-socks",
            "absorbent_type": "Absorbent socks",
            "best_for": [
                "Surrounding leaks",
                "Doorways",
                "Machine bases",
                "Drip paths",
                "Containment before clean-up"
            ],
            "not_best_for": [
                "Large open-water oil containment where booms are required"
            ],
            "formats": [
                "Oil-only socks",
                "General-purpose socks",
                "Chemical socks"
            ],
            "selection_notes": "Socks are primarily containment products; they are often used before pads to stop the spill spreading.",
            "supporting_pages": [
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/absorbent-socks-vs-booms",
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/absorbent-socks"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "absorbent-booms",
            "absorbent_type": "Absorbent booms",
            "best_for": [
                "Larger perimeter control",
                "Outdoor spill control",
                "Marine or yard oil containment",
                "Drain and boundary protection"
            ],
            "not_best_for": [
                "Small bench-top spills",
                "Routine wiping"
            ],
            "formats": [
                "Oil-only booms",
                "Linked booms"
            ],
            "selection_notes": "Booms provide wider containment and are normally selected where liquid movement needs to be intercepted over a larger distance.",
            "supporting_pages": [
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/absorbent-socks-vs-booms",
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/oil-spill-response-checklist"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "loose-granules",
            "absorbent_type": "Loose absorbent granules",
            "best_for": [
                "Rough floors",
                "Outdoor hardstanding",
                "Small localised spills",
                "Residual wetness"
            ],
            "not_best_for": [
                "Windy areas without control",
                "Chemical hazards without compatibility checks"
            ],
            "formats": [
                "Clay granules",
                "Wood fibre granules"
            ],
            "selection_notes": "Granules can be useful on uneven surfaces but may need careful sweeping, collection and disposal after use.",
            "supporting_pages": [
                "https://www.serpro.co.uk/absorbents-granules"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "content_hash": "201754307ed8cf98d977fb94210fb0f59c23ecdcf2a08b648856048b35829e91"
}