How does PRISTINE SEA™ work?
PRISTINE SEA™ uses amine-substituted, water-swelling clays to congeal and agglomerate spilled oil into cohesive, floating clumps — jelling a liquid slick into semi-solid cakes strong enough to be recovered as if they were solid.
Unlike dispersants that scatter a slick out of sight and leave the oil in the water column, PRISTINE SEA™ keeps oil on the surface and turns it solid for true recovery — captured oil won't desorb back into the water or onto the beach. It can "herd" a spill into islands of oil, reopening clear water so sunlight reaches the marine life below.
- Apply — dry powder, from aircraft, vessel, shore, or pier
- Bond — the clay sets the slick into floating cakes in under 1 hour
- Recover — collect with nets, floating fences, paddle collectors, or skimmers; reclaim or bioremediate
Technical specifications
| Product type | Modified clay sorbent (amine-substituted, water-swelling clays), powdered |
|---|---|
| Set time | Under 1 hour |
| Solidified duration | Stays solid for months |
| Effective temperature range | 0 °C – 37 °C |
| Buoyancy | Solidified cakes stay afloat for recovery |
| Leaching | Bonded oil won't desorb into water or onto the beach |
| Packaging | 15 lb and 35 lb bags; 35 lb bags also by the pallet (42 bags per pallet) |
| SKUs | PS-035 (small bag) · PS-SS1 (Super Sack) |
| Deployment | Aircraft (CD-3 · C-54 · C-130), vessel, shore or pier |
Is it recognized by regulators and responders?
The U.S. EPA confirmed PRISTINE SEA™ meets the definition of a "sorbent" under 40 CFR §§300.5 and 300.915(g) (2009)* — and it has been used and validated by major response organizations:
- U.S. Coast Guard & BP — approved for use in the Deepwater Horizon response
- Philippine Coast Guard — accredited
- VTT Finland — evaluated in the Barents Sea
- PDVSA — field-validated
*A regulatory classification — not an EPA endorsement or NCP Product Schedule listing.
Where does it work?
- Offshore platforms
- Pipelines & terminals
- Ports & harbors
- Shorelines & beaches
- Open sea
- Shallow & coastal waters
- Marshlands
- Remote areas
All-weather response: PRISTINE SEA™ holds up through high seas and rough conditions, effective from 0 °C to 37 °C.
How is it sold?
PRISTINE SEA™ is sold by quote in 15 lb and 35 lb bags — the 35 lb bag also by the pallet (42 bags per pallet). SKUs: PS-035 (small bag) and PS-SS1 (Super Sack). Made in the USA, assembled in Tennessee.
Frequently asked questions
Is PRISTINE SEA™ approved by the EPA?
The U.S. EPA confirmed in 2009 that it meets the definition of a sorbent under 40 CFR §§300.5 and 300.915(g) — a regulatory classification, not an endorsement or NCP Product Schedule listing. Separately, it was approved for use by the U.S. Coast Guard and BP during Deepwater Horizon, and it is accredited by the Philippine Coast Guard.
How fast does PRISTINE SEA™ solidify an oil spill?
Usually in less than one hour — and the solidified cakes stay solid for months, allowing an efficient collection operation.
Does PRISTINE SEA™ sink or disperse the oil?
No. The cakes stay afloat — and unlike dispersants, which scatter a slick out of sight and leave the oil in the water column, PRISTINE SEA™ keeps the oil on the surface and turns it solid for true recovery.
How is the solidified oil recovered?
With nets, floating fences, paddle collectors, or skimmers. Recovered material can be reclaimed or bioremediated, and bonded oil won't leach back into the water.
How is PRISTINE SEA™ sold and deployed?
As a dry powder, by quote, in 15 lb and 35 lb bags — the 35 lb bag also by the pallet (SKUs PS-035 small bag, PS-SS1 Super Sack) — applied directly by aircraft (CD-3, C-54, C-130), vessel, shore, or pier. Call (423) 271-6505 for response and distributor inquiries.
Planning spill response capability?
Tell us about your operation and our team will help scope deployment and stocking.
Content reviewed July 2026 · FT-PSEA · *U.S. EPA confirmed PRISTINE SEA™ meets the definition of a "sorbent" under 40 CFR §§300.5 & 300.915(g) (2009) — not an EPA endorsement or NCP Product Schedule listing.