Oil spill clean-up

Use and approval of liquid oil binders

Here’s what you need to bear in mind when using öFix liquid oil binders – from the legal framework to correct application.

Mitarbeiter trägt Ölbindemittel manuell auf der Straße auf

In short

Liquid oil binders may be used provided that the method is suitable for the oil spill in question. The DWA Information Sheets 715/716 and VDI 4089 serve as a basis for action. There is no central approval body – it is best to coordinate the manual application with the local environmental authority in advance.

Is the use of liquid oil binders permitted?

The use of liquid oil binders to remove oil traces is permitted, provided that the specific circumstances of the oil residues to be removed warrant it. The appropriate method must be assessed on a case-by-case basis – depending on the type, location and extent of the oil trace. Users generally refer to the legally valid guidelines set out in the technical data sheets DWA 715/716-1-9 or VDI 4089, which also cover the use of liquid cleaning concentrates such as öFix FMO Road & FMO water bodies recommend. In practice, there are frequently instances where hard-to-reach areas are not adequately covered by Cleaning vehicles or Granules can be cleaned – in this case, we recommend using liquid oil binders manually.

When is it advisable to use liquid oil binders?

Liquid oil binders should always be used when this promises to be the safest method and the one with the least environmental impact. This is the case, for example, when the oil spill has occurred on open-pored asphalt – where granules do not usually penetrate into the deeper layers. Heavily overgrown banks also make it difficult to use oil booms; in such cases, too, liquid oil binders should be used.

Are liquid oil binders suitable for manual use?

Yes, liquid oil binders are suitable for the manual removal of oil stains. They are applied in a single step, whereby the oil binders are applied to the oil stain either undiluted or mixed with water using a standard garden sprayer (pressure pump sprayer).

Are liquid oil binders hazardous to water?

The liquid oil binders from öFix FMO Road and FMO Water are not hazardous to water and are therefore not harmful to the environment. Their properties accelerate the breakdown of oil contamination and help to restore the natural balance.

Is there a central approval body for liquid oil binders?

There is no central authority responsible for authorising the use of liquid oil binders. We therefore recommend that you consult the local environmental authority in advance regarding their manual use. We can assist you with the relevant documentation and evidence.

Legal basis and regulatory frameworks

DWA Technical Guidelines 715/716 · VDI 4089 · AwSV

Reviewed by öFix GmbH on 6 October 2026

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