Paraffin Wax, also referred to as Petroleum Wax, is a refined solid hydrocarbon material derived from crude oil refining, specifically from lubricating oil distillates.
During the refining process, waxy components are separated from base oils through dewaxing, followed by hydrotreating or solvent refining to achieve the desired purity, color, oil content, and odor level.
Paraffin wax primarily consists of straight-chain saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes), typically in the carbon range of C20 to C40. Its controlled crystalline structure, chemical inertness, and water-repellent nature make it an essential raw material across industrial, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, and packaging applications.
Types of Petroleum Wax
1. Fully Refined Paraffin Wax
Oil Content: ≤ 0.5%
Appearance: White, translucent, glossy
Odor: Odourless
Fully refined paraffin wax offers very high purity, excellent color stability, low volatility, and minimal smoke generation. It is food-safe and cosmetic-grade.
Common Uses: Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, food packaging and coatings, premium candle manufacturing.
2. Semi-Refined Paraffin Wax
Oil Content: 1% – 3%
Appearance: Off-white to light yellow
Semi-refined wax provides a balance between performance and cost, with good moldability and stable burning behavior.
Common Uses: Candle manufacturing, rubber and tyre industry, polishes, and general industrial coatings.
3. Microcrystalline Wax
Structure: Branched and cyclic hydrocarbons
Texture: Sticky, plastic, flexible
Microcrystalline wax offers higher viscosity, stronger adhesion, and superior flexibility compared to paraffin wax.
Common Uses: Cosmetics (lipsticks, creams), adhesives and sealants, chewing gum base, and electrical insulation.
Key Characteristics
High Purity Hydrocarbon Composition
Dominated by saturated paraffinic hydrocarbons and free from reactive functional
groups, ensuring chemical inertness and safety.
Controlled Melting Behavior
Melting range is precisely tailored through refining, enabling accurate temperature
control in candles, coatings, and hot-melt systems.
Water Repellency & Barrier Properties
Hydrophobic molecular structure provides effective moisture and vapor barrier
performance.
Surface Finish & Aesthetics
Produces smooth surfaces, glossy coatings, and uniform appearance, enhancing
visual and tactile quality.
Odourless & Non-Toxic (Refined Grades)
Fully refined grades meet food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic safety standards.
Typical Physical & Mechanical Properties
Melting Point: 48°C – 70°C
Oil Content: 0.5% – 8%
Penetration @ 25°C: 10 – 30 dmm
Density @ 15°C: 0.89 – 0.93 g/cm³
Viscosity @ 100°C: 3 – 6 cSt
Flash Point: 180°C – 250°C
Refining & Manufacturing Process
Paraffin wax is produced through vacuum distillation to separate waxy lubricating fractions, followed by solvent dewaxing to remove wax crystals from base oils.
Hydrotreating or clay treatment removes sulfur, nitrogen, and aromatics, improving color and odor, before filtration and solidification into finished wax forms.
Available Forms & Packaging
Physical Forms: Slabs or blocks (1–5 kg), granules, pastilles, pellets, and powder (on request).
Packaging Options: Carton boxes, HDPE bags, export-grade pallets, and bulk containers.
Applications
Candle Industry
Stable flame, controlled burn rate, smooth surface finish, and excellent blending
with stearic acid and additives.
Packaging Industry
Moisture-proof paper coatings, corrugated box protection, food-wrap lamination,
and cheese waxing.
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Lipsticks, lip balms, creams, lotions, emollient enhancement, and moisture barriers.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Tablet coating and polishing, ointments, medicated creams, and controlled-release
formulations.
Rubber & Tyre Industry
Anti-ozonant waxes, crack prevention, and surface bloom protection.
Adhesives & Hot-Melt Systems
Improves flexibility, controls setting time, and enhances bonding strength.
Electrical & Industrial Uses
Cable insulation, surface coatings, anti-corrosion layers, and waterproofing
compounds.
Food Industry
Fruit and vegetable coatings, food-grade paper packaging, and chewing gum base.
Advantages of Paraffin Wax
Chemically inert and safe, excellent moisture resistance, cost-effective raw material, easy to process and mold, long shelf life, and wide availability of melting point grades.