In the hydroformylation of C5-C14 olefins with cobalt catalyst to produce C6-C15 oxygenates, where offgasses from the hydroformylation or cobalt removal step contain volatile cobalt compounds, the cobalt compounds are recovered by scrubbing the offgas with a liquid, and recycling the liquid to the cobalt removal step. Suitable scrubbing liquids are the organic cobalt-depleted hydroformylation reaction product or a downstream derivative thereof, or an aqueous solution of a Co2+ salt, preferably such salt of formic acid.