WHAT IS IT?
Petroleum jelly (also known as petrolatum or Vaseline, the Unilever brand) is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining. It is produced by dewaxing heavy mineral oil fractions and is available in white (refined, bleached) and yellow (semi-refined) grades.
GRADES
White Petroleum Jelly (USP/BP grade):
Fully refined and bleached
Odourless, white or translucent
Pharmaceutical and cosmetic grade
Meets USP (US Pharmacopoeia) or BP (British Pharmacopoeia) specifications
Yellow Petroleum Jelly:
Semi-refined, natural yellow colour
Industrial applications, technical grade
Lower cost than white grade
KEY USES
Cosmetics: Lip balm, moisturiser, baby products, skin protectant
Pharmaceutical: Ointment base for topical medications, wound dressing
Industrial: Corrosion inhibitor, lubricant for cables and connectors, anti-seize compound
Food-grade: Release agent and coating (FDA approved)
Leather care products
TRADE CORRIDORS
Major producers: India (major exporter), China, Pakistan, Middle East
Major buyers: Southeast Asia, Africa, Middle East
Tetra relevance: India and China → East Africa corridor.
SPECIFICATIONS (White Petroleum Jelly USP)
Melting point: 38–60°C
Colour: white to off-white
Odour: odourless
Consistency: soft, unctuous
Acidity/alkalinity: neutral
Sulphur compounds: absent
Fixed oils, fats, resins: absent
Polycyclic aromatics (PAH): meets stringent limits for cosmetic grade
PACKAGING
25kg or 50kg drums (metal or plastic), or jumbo drums (200kg). Must be kept sealed to avoid contamination. Stable in long-term storage.