WAXES APPLICATION
Waxes have a wide scope. Used as body of a candle you will feel and smell wax; in this application waxes determine the the appearance and performance of the candle. In many other applications the effect of wax is imperceptibly, as release agent or lubricant, as adhesive or component in adhesives, as polish, glazing agent or glossy coating, as filler or binding medium. These very different and contrary effects can be achieved by only one or a few wax categories, but also and even better by more complex special wax and wax blends, which are designed for the intended application.
CANDLE
The mostly part of the candles offered today is based on raw materials, which are available in sufficent volume and at reasonable price. For a long time the main raw material was just paraffin, which is available as by-product of the mineral oil processing. At same volume the major candle manufacturers are using raw materials based on vegetable oil, e.g. stearic acid or partially or fully hardened vegtable oil. Beeswax is used for sanctuary candles and more exclusive and therefore more expensive candles. Furthermore, waxes based on vegetable oils are used for special candles; considering valence and sutainability these raw material are reviewed and examined in regrard of origin, harvest, transport and purity.
In addition to these basic materials, candle production also uses a series of special waxes, for example, to improve the burning characteristics, to obtain special effects, to adjust the burning mass for special production methods, and for decoration and ornaments to give candles a particular appearance. The product portfolio offers a wide range of formulated waxes, polymers and wax-related materials for various applications in candle manufacturing. The product range for the candle industry and the candle manufacturers contains standard products well suited for candles, but also for other wax products, such as wax foils, wax reliefs, modelling clay and plasticine. Products for special applications are available on request. Additionally, our laboratory staff will provide further information and support for specific technical solutions.
COSMETICS
The product selection for cosmetics and pharmaceutical purposes includes waxes of natural origin, paraffin, microcrystalline wax, synthetic wax and waxes obtained from vegetable oils and their derivatives. The major areas of use for these waxes are as follows:
Base materials providing consistency in emulsions, creams, ointments, sticks, decorative cosmetics, etc.
Oil binding components and consistency control
Co-emulsifier and emollient
Balancing consistency at a broad temperature range
Superfatting agents in syndet soaps, cleaning agents, surfactant preparations, hand wash pastes
Special grades and effects (e.g. as a base for lipsticks and ointments, self-emulsifying wax, depilatory waxes)
A careful selection of stable raw materials combined with systematic quality management is the precondition for the continuously excellent properties of our products. The waxes and ingredients we supply fulfill the legal purity requirements. The corresponding product documentation covering all ecological and toxicological aspects is available.
PACKAGING
Waxes are used in paper and foil finishing for the manufacturing of high-value packaging materials. These are widely used for the packaging of food and similar goods. Paper and cardboard are coated by waxes to protect against loss of humidity, spoil-age by microorganisms and loss of flavour. Lamination of paper to aluminum or plastic foil improves the stability of the foil and increases the resistance against fat and greasy products. On request our regulatory team will confirm, that the waxes follow the current food law requirements and legislation.
ADHESIVES
Hot melt adhesive is defined as a thermoplastic adhesive system that builds up cohesion after cooling down. In its molten state the hot melt adhesive has a medium to high viscosity, but is fluid and spreads on a surface. Within the formulation one part, the resin, works as a tackifier; another part, the polymers provides the necessary elasticity after congealing; the wax part controlls the properties of the formulation. In order to obtain a proper solution a complete system is required, and the selection of a suitable waxes has to be taken into account from the beginning. For the formulation of hot melt adhesives Tromm offers a range of different waxes, which are combined in product groups.
- POLARIT®
- TECERO-WACHS® soft / hard
- POLARWACHS®
- TECE-WACHS®
In the right formulation, wax influences the setting time, the crystallinity, the softening range and the viscosity. The compatibility of waxes with resin, rosin and many polymers extends the possible applications.
EMULSIONS
Waxes can easily be emulsified in water for use in water-based systems. Here, the use of a well-suited emulsifier and the right emulsifying technique is required. A selection of different waxes offers the user a choice when creating industrial emulsions, for example, when used as a care and maintenance product, as a citrus fruit coating, for the impregnation of textiles and leather, as an additive for lacquers, varnishes and colours, for protection against corrosion or for lubricants and release agents.
CARE PRODUCTS for household, automotive, building service
Waxes are widely used in cleaning and care products to maintain surfaces, provide gloss and to fulfill hygienic requirements. These products are used in living areas, for building service and maintenance, on floors and furniture, as well as for leather care and car polishes. In addition to the different wax components, the laboratory team has developed special wax blends tailored specifically for the formulation of cleaning and care products and which provide the manufacturer with a simpler working process.
other technical application
Waxes find their uses in many other technical applications. These application areas need special grades, which fulfill the requirements of these insdustries in respect of apperance, physical form, price, amount used and performance. Some of these areas are can be listed:
- component in corrosions protectives
- carrier for masterbatches an plastic concentrates
- component in pencyls, wax crayons, plastilin and toys
- lubricant and release agent within plastic processing
- additive in colours, varnishes, lacquers and dys
- several applications in the area automotive
Please ask for suggestions and recommendations.
WAXES “tailor-made”
Our customers have specialised knowledge and expertise in their particular area of application, which a supplier of raw materials cannot have. When this know-how is combined with our staff’s experience in wax materials, synergies arise that lead to the formulation of special waxes and wax products. These tailor-made products are, of course, developed exclusively for the individual customer working to a specified composition and are delivered in the required form and at the requested volume. Please ask our teams in laboratory and sales.