The present invention relates to a composite material, particularly a composite material designed as a molded body and/or suited for the production of molded bodies, composed of polymer materials and a porous mineral matrix, said composite material expanding under the action of liquids, particularly aqueous liquids and/or aqueous oil emulsions, and storing said liquids, characterized in that the matrix it comprises includes crushed and/or ground, open-pored, expanded/expanded perlite in the form of sharp-edged perlite particles and at least one natural and/or synthetic cross-linked and/or partially cross-linked polymer and/or polymer forming a hydrogel.
