Carnauba Wax

About This Product

Carnauba wax is taken from the leaves of Copernicia prunifera, a palm native to northeastern Brazil, which coats its fronds in wax to survive the dry season. The leaves are cut, dried and beaten to release the wax as a powder, which is then melted and filtered. It carries CAS number 8015-86-9 and the INCI name Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, and is graded T1, T3 and T4 by colour and refining, from pale yellow flakes to darker material. It is known in the trade as the queen of waxes, and the reason is measurable rather than sentimental. It melts at 82 to 86 degrees Celsius, the highest of any commonly used natural wax, and it is exceptionally hard, with very low needle penetration. Its structure is dominated by long-chain aliphatic esters together with esters of hydroxylated acids, which crystallise into a fine, dense, highly reflective surface. That is what produces its characteristic glass-like shine and why a very small addition raises the hardness and gloss of a softer wax substantially. It is also notably resistant to solvents, water and abrasion. It is used in car and furniture polish, in shoe and floor care, as a coating on confectionery, fruit and tablets, in mascara, lipstick and stick cosmetics, and as a hardening additive in candle and wax blends. Bio Green Wax supplies carnauba grades to specification on melting point, acid and ester value, hardness, colour and volatile matter.