How Is Natural Wax Made?

Natural wax is a term used to describe waxes derived from plants, animals, and insects. Unlike synthetic waxes made from petroleum derivatives, natural waxes have existed for millions of years in nature (“Candle Waxes – Sharionic Candles Co.”, n.d.). They play an important ecological role and have a wide variety of commercial uses.

Beeswax, secreted by honey bees to build their honeycomb, is the most well-known natural wax. Other common sources include soybean, bayberry, candelilla, carnauba, and paraffin waxes extracted from crude oil. Natural waxes protect plant surfaces from moisture loss, provide waterproofing, and deter insect attacks. They also strengthen cell walls in plants and insects.

Due to their unique properties, natural waxes are extensively used in cosmetics, polishes, lubricants, and candle-making. Beeswax in particular has grown in popularity for skin care, while soy wax is preferred for homemade candles. As consumers demand more natural ingredients, the market for natural waxes continues to expand (“BUSINESS POTENTIAL OF ARCTIC BERRY WAX FOR …”, 2018).

Beeswax

Beeswax is produced by honey bees to form the walls of the honeycomb in their hive. Bees convert nectar into wax using special glands in their abdomens. Worker bees consume honey to activate these wax glands, which convert the sugar into wax flakes that are secreted from pores on their abdomens.

The wax flakes are used by bees to build the familiar hexagonal honeycomb structure made up of hundreds of cells. The cells are used by bees to store honey and pollen. According to Carolina Honeybees (1), it takes about 8 pounds of honey to produce 1 pound of beeswax.

To extract beeswax from the honeycomb, beekeepers will melt the honeycomb using solar melters, steam, or hot water. The melted wax rises to the top and solidifies into cakes or blocks, while the impurities sink to the bottom. The crude wax is then filtered to remove debris. It can be further refined through bleaching and filtering to achieve its pure white appearance and remove any odors.

Plant-based Waxes

Among the most popular plant-based waxes are carnauba wax, candelilla wax, bayberry wax, and ouricury wax. Carnauba wax is derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree, which is native to northeastern Brazil (https://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/cruelty-free-and-eco-wax-alternative/). Once the leaves are dried, beaten, and refined, the wax can be extracted. Carnauba wax is very hard with a high melting point, making it useful for a variety of applications like candles, cosmetics, dental floss, and car waxes.

Candelilla wax comes from the dried stalks of the candelilla plant, native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States (https://www.thegoodboutique.com/inspiration/vegan-candles-benefits). The wax is extracted by boiling the stalks in water and skimming off the wax that floats to the surface. Candelilla wax is vegan, hard, and has a high melting point. It is commonly used for cosmetics, leather dressings, and as a glazing agent for chewing gum.

Bayberry wax is derived from the fruit of the bayberry shrub, found along coastal areas of North America. The fruits are boiled in water to extract the vegetable wax from their outer coating. Bayberry wax has been traditionally used for making candles and soaps.

Ouricury wax comes from the leaves of the palm trees Syagrus coronata and Attalea compta, native to South America. The leaves are boiled, and the wax skimmed from the surface of the water. Ouricury wax is hard, glossy, and aromatic. It is used in wax blends and eco-friendly candles.

Animal-based Waxes

Animal-based waxes come from animals and insects. Some common animal waxes include:

Lanolin (wool wax) – Lanolin is extracted from wool and sheep’s wool grease. It comes from the sebaceous glands of sheep and helps sheep stay dry and protected. Lanolin wax has emollient properties and is commonly used in skincare products, lip balms, and lubricants. (Wikipedia)

Whale wax – Whale wax comes from the oil of sperm whales and other whales. It was commonly used in candles in the 18th and 19th centuries, before crude oil became popular. Whale oil and wax were also used as lubricants for machinery. (Blended Waxes)

Chinese wax – Chinese wax is produced by the Chinese wax scale insect. It was historically used in candles, soap, polishes and sizes for paper. Chinese wax is still produced today, though petroleum-based waxes are now more common. (Wikipedia)

Extraction Methods

There are a few main methods used to extract natural wax from plants, animals, and insects:

Melting – One of the simplest extraction methods is to melt the wax off the source. Beeswax, for example, can be collected by melting the wax caps off honeycombs with heat. The melted wax drips off and is then collected. A similar process is used for extracting plant waxes, whereby the plant matter is heated to melt off the wax which can then be strained.

Solvent Extraction – This involves using a solvent to dissolve the wax from the raw source material. Common solvents include hexane, acetone, and toluene. The plant matter is soaked in the solvent, which dissolves the wax. The solvent is then evaporated off, leaving purified wax. This method is common for extracting wax from plants sources like candelilla.[1]

Pressing – Some waxes can be extracted by pressing or crushing the raw source material to squeeze out the wax. The plant matter is pressed between rollers to extract oils and waxes. This mechanical extraction method is used for waxes like carnauba that are found on palm leaves.[2]

Each extraction method has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of yield, purity, environmental impact, etc. The optimal technique depends on the source material and type of wax being extracted.

Refining Process

The raw wax collected from bees, plants, or animals undergoes an extensive refining process to make it suitable for candlemaking. This process removes impurities and modifies the properties of the wax.

The first step is filtering, which removes debris, insects, propolis, and other contaminants from the raw wax. The wax is heated and passed through a series of filters made of cotton, felt, or specialized paper. Multiple filtering stages ensure maximum purification.

Next is decolorizing, where the wax is bleached to remove pigments and achieve a clean white color. Activated charcoal or clay is added to absorb coloring compounds. Acidic chemicals like sulfuric acid may also be used. Decolorizing improves the burn properties of the wax.

Finally, additives can modify the properties of the refined wax. Stearic acid alters the melting point, making it harder or softer as needed. Fragrances, dyes, and UV inhibitors may be incorporated at this stage. The result is a refined, high-quality wax optimized for candlemaking.

Uses of Natural Wax

Natural wax has many diverse uses across various industries. Some of the most common uses of natural wax include:

Candles – One of the most well-known uses of natural wax is in candle making. Soy wax and beeswax candles, in particular, have gained popularity due to being natural, non-toxic alternatives to paraffin candles. Natural waxes like beeswax are often used for candles because they burn cleanly and have a pleasant natural aroma (Mundoabejas.com, 2023).

Cosmetics – Natural waxes like beeswax and candelilla wax are commonly used in cosmetics and skin care products as emulsifiers, thickeners, and moisturizers. They help creams glide on smoothly, provide a protective barrier for skin, and give products a thick, rich texture (Mundoabejas.com, 2023).

Polishes – Waxes like carnauba wax and beeswax give polishes and waxes their characteristic smooth, glossy finish. Carnauba wax in particular is a hard natural wax used in products like car waxes, shoe polishes, and floor waxes because it helps create a durable, water-resistant coating (Linkedin.com, 2023).

Crayons – Beeswax is a key ingredient in crayons, helping provide color vibrancy and a smooth texture that is easy to apply. The waxy nature of natural waxes like beeswax allows crayons to glide across paper without breaking.

Food – Food-grade waxes like beeswax and carnauba wax are used as coatings and glazes on fruits, candies, and some cheeses. A thin layer of wax helps seal in moisture and provides an appealing sheen.

Benefits of Natural Wax

Natural waxes offer many benefits compared to synthetic waxes. Natural waxes are biodegradable, meaning they can break down and decompose over time without harming the environment. Synthetic waxes contain chemicals and compounds that do not naturally degrade (Rural Earth Creations).

Natural waxes are also renewable resources, as they can be replenished over time. Beeswax, for example, is continually produced by honeybees. Synthetic waxes are made from non-renewable petroleum sources (Essential Med Tools).

Compared to synthetic waxes, natural waxes are generally non-toxic and safe for human use. Many synthetic waxes contain toxins, chemicals, and compounds that can be harmful if exposure is high. Natural waxes like beeswax have been used safely for centuries (Waxness).

Using natural waxes is also better for sustainability and the environment overall. Natural waxes do not rely on non-renewable resources or energy-intensive chemical processing. Supporting natural wax production also benefits small farmers and beekeepers (Rural Earth Creations).

Challenges

Natural wax production faces several challenges, many stemming from its raw materials’ reliance on seasonal harvesting from nature. Unlike petroleum-based waxes with a constant supply, the availability of beeswax, carnauba wax, and other natural waxes fluctuates with seasonal harvests and depends on climate conditions year to year. Total production volumes can swing significantly in response (The Foreseeable Challenges Of The Global Wax Industry).

Harvesting natural waxes also tends to be very labor-intensive, especially for types like carnauba wax where the raw plant materials are difficult to access. The harvesting process requires many human hands and cannot easily be automated or mechanized. Labor shortages can constrain production volumes in a given season (Strengthening Sustainability Transforms The Wax Industry).

With natural variability in the raw materials, the final quality and properties of natural waxes can fluctuate as well. Factors like weather and soil conditions affect the chemical composition from season to season. Controlling purity and ensuring consistency adds challenges for natural wax producers versus petroleum-based alternatives (Wax problems in production).

Conclusion

The extraction and production of natural wax is an intricate process that starts from the material source and undergoes various steps to become the versatile product used across many industries today. We learned that the most common types of natural wax come from beeswax and plant-based sources like carnauba wax and candelilla wax. However, other animal-based waxes like lanolin also play an important role. With methods ranging from pressed extraction, solvent extraction to sweating and filtering purification, manufacturers carefully refine raw wax into forms suitable for use in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, polishes and other products.

Overall, natural waxes provide many benefits over synthetic waxes. They impart products with qualities like shine, texture, fragrance and lubrication. Their versatility and renewable nature make them a valuable material, though sourcing can prove challenging at times. Looking ahead, natural waxes will continue to be an integral part of product formulations in these industries.