Who Makes Soy 10 Wax?
Soy wax is a vegetable-based wax made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It is popular among candle makers and crafters as an alternative to paraffin wax. Soy wax is made from a renewable resource, and burns cleaner than paraffin with less soot.
Soy wax is used to create candles, soap, cosmetics, art supplies, and more. It is valued for its low melting point, making it easy to work with. Soy candles are praised for their excellent fragrance throw and clean burn.
The global soy wax market has seen steady growth, with demand driven by the handcrafted candle and cosmetics industries. The market size was valued at USD 294 million in 2021, and is projected to reach USD 522 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2022 to 2030 according to one industry report (Source). Rising disposable incomes and consumer preference for natural products are key factors in this growth.
History
Soy wax was invented in 1991 by Michael Richards, the founder of Cargill’s renewable products division. Richards developed soy wax as an alternative to paraffin wax because beeswax was too expensive and he wanted a natural, renewable resource for candle making. At the time, most candles were made from paraffin wax which is a byproduct of petroleum refining. Richards saw an opportunity to create a cleaner burning, environmentally friendly wax made from soybean oil.
The initial inspiration for soy wax came when Richards was researching alternative uses for soybean oil. He began experimenting by pouring soybean oil into molds and noticed that it solidified into a wax-like substance. After testing various formulations, Richards was able to create a vegetable-based wax that performed comparably to paraffin in candles. The renewable nature and low cost of soybeans made soy wax an attractive option for the candle industry.
Cargill debuted soy wax to the market in 1992 under the name NatureWax. It quickly grew in popularity among candle makers and consumers looking for a natural, renewable ingredient. Today, soy wax remains a key component in many candle, soap and cosmetic products. Richards’ innovation established soy wax as a mainstay in the candle industry.
Sources:
https://www.soya.be/soy-wax-history.php
Manufacturing Process
Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. The main ingredients are soybean oil, citric acid, and antioxidants (Source). To produce soy wax, the soybean oil first goes through a process called hydrogenation. This process converts the soybean oil into a solid wax through a chemical reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst (Source).
The hydrogenation process allows manufacturers to control the melting point and hardness of the final soy wax product. Tighter quality control during hydrogenation results in a wax with more consistency between batches (Source). After hydrogenation, other ingredients like citric acid and antioxidants may be added to refine the wax further.
Throughout the manufacturing process, quality control checks are in place to ensure proper hydrogenation levels, melting point, color, scent, and contaminant levels. This helps guarantee each batch of soy wax meets specifications and performs consistently.
Major Manufacturers
There are a number of leading manufacturers producing soy wax around the world.https://www.tradeindia.com/manufacturers/soy-wax.html Some of the top companies involved in soy wax production include:
Cargill, headquartered in Minnesota, is one of the largest producers of soy wax globally. The company operates soy wax production facilities in Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas among other locations.https://www.wicz.com/story/50027165/Soy- Cargill has a production capacity of over 200,000 metric tons of wax per year across North America.
Golden Brands, based in Illinois, is another leading soy wax manufacturer in the United States. The company has soy wax production capabilities in excess of 45 million pounds annually at its Illinois plant.https://www.dial4trade.com/suppliers/soy-wax.htm
Kerax Limited, headquartered in the UK, operates a large soy wax production facility in Wales. The plant has an annual capacity of over 15,000 metric tons of soy wax.
Other major global producers include Columbia Wax in Malaysia, Bom Brasil in Brazil, and HCI Wax in China among others. These companies have significant soy wax manufacturing capabilities to meet demand in their respective regions.
Applications
Soy wax is commonly used in various applications due to its beneficial properties compared to paraffin wax. Some of the major uses of soy wax include:
Candlemaking
Soy wax is a popular choice for candlemaking because it is a clean-burning, natural wax that does not release harmful toxins or smoke when burning. It has a lower melting point than paraffin, allowing candles to melt evenly and avoid issues liketunneling. Soy wax also holds fragrance oils well, resulting in strongly scented candles.
Cosmetics
In cosmetics, soy wax is often used to create lip balms, lotions, creams, and other beauty products. It has emollient properties that help moisturize skin, and it allows products to glide on smoothly. Soy wax is also hypoallergenic, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
Art Supplies
Soy wax can be used to make crayons, colored pencils, and modeling clay. It has a smooth texture that allows it to be molded easily. The wax helps bind pigments and allows them to adhere to surfaces. Soy wax art supplies are popular because they are non-toxic and safe for children.
Benefits
Soy wax offers several key benefits that make it an appealing alternative to paraffin wax for candle making. First, soy wax is a natural and renewable resource, as it is made from soybean oil. Soybeans can be grown year after year, providing an sustainable and environmentally-friendly raw material for candle wax. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is a byproduct of petroleum refining.
Additionally, the properties of soy wax can be easily customized by altering the blend of hydrogenated soybean oils. Varying the oil composition allows manufacturers to control important candle qualities like burn time, fragrance retention, and texture. This level of customization isn’t possible with paraffin wax.
Finally, soy wax is biodegradable, meaning it will break down through natural processes over time. Paraffin wax buildup can persist in the environment. The biodegradability of soy wax makes it a greener choice for candle enthusiasts and manufacturers.
Drawbacks
While soy wax has numerous benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider as well:
Higher cost – Soy wax tends to be more expensive than paraffin wax. The cost of soy wax fluctuates but it is generally 20-30% higher than paraffin wax. This is because soy wax is made from soybeans, which are agricultural products with variable pricing.
Limited availability – Compared to paraffin wax which is widely available, soy wax can be harder to source, especially for small businesses and crafters. Soy wax may need to be special ordered from certain distributors.[1]
Soy wax is not necessarily the best choice for all applications, especially when cost and availability are primary concerns. However, many candle makers and artisans find the benefits of soy wax worth the additional cost.
[1] https://www.everythingdawn.com/blogs/news/34785665-the-pros-and-cons-of-soy-wax
The Future
The future of soy wax looks promising as market trends point to continued growth and innovation in sustainable candle making. According to industry analysis, the global soy wax market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2022 to 2028, reaching $336.6 million by 2028.
Several factors are contributing to the positive outlook for soy wax. As consumers become more concerned about their health and the environment, demand for natural, non-toxic candles made from soy wax is rising (Source). Brands are responding by creating new soy wax blends and testing product innovations like soy-coconut wax.
In addition, manufacturers are focused on making soy wax production and soy-based candles more sustainable. Some companies like Cargill are prioritizing partnerships with soybean farmers to ensure traceability and environmentally responsible sourcing. Brands are also reducing plastic packaging and experimenting with compostable containers.
Looking ahead, the future of soy wax in the candle industry appears bright. As consumers continue to prioritize sustainability and health, the demand for natural soy wax candles will likely keep growing. With innovations in blends and production methods, soy wax seems poised to remain the wax of choice for eco-conscious candle brands.
Conclusion
In summary, soy wax has become an increasingly popular alternative to paraffin wax for candle making and other applications. It is made from soybean oil and offers several advantages over paraffin wax.
The key benefits of soy wax include its renewable and sustainable nature, biodegradability, and clean-burning properties. Soy wax candles produce less soot and burn longer than paraffin candles. Soy wax is also easier to clean up if spilled and melts at a lower temperature, reducing the risk of burns.
Major manufacturers of soy wax include Cargill, Golden Brands, and NatureWax. These companies have helped drive demand for soy wax due to its eco-friendly reputation and high-quality performance.
While more expensive than paraffin wax, soy wax is preferred by many candle makers and consumers for its natural ingredients and versatility. As demand for eco-conscious products continues to grow, the use of renewable resources like soy wax will likely keep increasing as well.
In conclusion, soy wax delivers an effective, environmentally responsible alternative to traditional candle waxes. With responsible sourcing and manufacturing, it provides a sustainable option that burns clean and performs well in candles and other wax products.
References
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