WHAT IS IT?
Paraffin wax is a white or colourless soft solid derived from petroleum. It consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between 20 and 40 carbon atoms. Extracted from the lubricating oil fraction during refining.
TYPES
Fully Refined Paraffin Wax (FRPW)
Oil content: <0.5%
White, odourless
Food-grade applications, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals
Higher value
Semi-Refined Paraffin Wax (SRPW)
Oil content: 0.5–2%
Slightly yellow tint
Industrial applications, candles, coatings, rubber
Lower price point
Slack Wax
Oil content: 5–30%
By-product of dewaxing process
Used as feedstock to produce fully/semi refined wax or in fibreboard, matches
KEY USES
Candle manufacturing (largest single use)
Food packaging and coating (cheese, fruits, cardboard)
Cosmetics and personal care (lip balm, creams)
Rubber and tyre manufacturing
Crayons and polishes
Emulsion in construction
TRADE CORRIDORS
Major exporters: China (dominant global supplier), India, Middle East
Major buyers: Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe
Tetra relevance: China → SEA/East Africa corridor well-established
SPECIFICATIONS
Melting point (°C) — typically 52–70°C
Oil content (%) — key quality differentiator
Colour (ASTM) — 0-1 for fully refined
Flash point
Needle penetration at 25°C
PACKAGING
Slab form (5kg or 25kg blocks), or liquid bulk in ISO tanks. Also available in cartons or drums.