The present invention teaches an absorbent material with powdered activated carbon which is substantially light-colored without using color masking agents or hiding. This invention addresses the need in the field for an absorbent material with improved odor-controlling properties, that maintains such properties for longer periods of time and where the absorbent material maintains a light-colored appearance without the addition of color-masking agents. Suitable methods for creating the absorbent materials include a pan agglomeration process, a high shear agglomeration process, a low shear agglomeration process, a high pressure agglomeration process, a low pressure agglomeration process, a rotary drum agglomeration process, a pan agglomeration process, a roll press compaction process, a pin mixer process, a dry blending process, a spray coating process, an extrusion process, a pelletizing process and a fluid bed process.
