#$%^&*AU2017201426A120170323.pdf#####ABSTRACT An absorbent material (10) including a fibrous material (12) having a plurality of individual fibers (14) forming a fiber matrix (16), a plurality of absorbent fibers (18), wherein the plurality of absorbent fibers are impregnated within the fiber matrix by means of a needlepunch process. Fig. 11/8 16 Id Al/ y