A hot melt desiccant matrix composition has an organic binder and an absorbent material as components thereof. The organic binder includes about 10% to 80% by weight of a propylene based poly-α-olefin polymer having a melting point or a glass transition temperature less than 180° C., a density in the range of 0.85 to 0.95 g/cc or a blend of poly-α-olefin polymers; about 5% to 70% by weight of a plasticizer having a flash point equal to or greater than 180° C.; about 0% to 50% by weight a compatible tackifier; and a stabilizer in the amount of about 0% to 5% by weight. The absorbent component may be a water/moisture absorbing material, or a VOC absorbing material, or a blend of water/moisture absorbing and VOC absorbing materials. The absorbent material is selected from absorbing materials including, but not limited to, silica gels, activated carbons, silica alumina, calcium sulfate, calcium oxide, natural zeolites and molecular sieves and the mixtures thereof. The ratios of organic binder component to absorbent component range from about 30% by weight to about 80% by weight.