Role of paraffin wax in industries

Paraffin wax due to its unique properties is a material which has many applications in various industries.

Paraffin wax is used in a variety of industries including:

Agriculture – Paraffin wax and special mixtures are used in the fertilizer industries as anti-caking additives so as to ease their dosing, handling and transportation.
Food – Paraffin wax forms an important coating for foods such as cheese, citrus fruits, etc. Its also used in the production of gum base which is an important ingredient for chewing gums.

Rubber – Paraffin wax is used in the production of tyres helping insulate them from ozone and protect them from chipping and cracking.
Electrical appliances – Paraffin wax is used to insulate electric nodes and appliances wirings.
Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics – Paraffin wax is used to coat tablets to protect their surfaces and also forms an important ingredient in a wide variety of lipsticks, creams, pastes, and lotions.

Matches – Although minimal in quantity but the application of paraffin wax in the matchstick box lightening strips, helps regulate their burning.
Fabric – All fabrics contain waxy coating that gives it softness, elasticity and flexibility. However, environmental exposure and repeated usage robs its of the waxy texture and needs to be recoated.

Paper – Paper is used to insulate many kinds of food. However, because paper in itself is not able to provide good insulation properties, it needs to be coated with paraffin wax to prevent passage of odors, micro-organisms and moisture.
Besides the above, paraffin wax is used in other industries such as in the manufacture of candles, paints and varnishes, chipboard, skiing and surfing material etc.
In Adhesive industry, waxes in specific paraffin wax and microcrystalline waxes are key components in wide variety of adhesive applications. Role of paraffin waxes is much more than optimizing viscosity, flow and set time. Paraffin waxes produced by Khavaran Paraffin Co impact the increasing bond strength and improve the temperature resistance of hot melt adhesive products.

In agricultural sector also waxes are widely used. Paraffin waxes and other kind of waxes provide many benefits. As regulations get tougher each year in regards to addition of fertilizers to crop and soil, they only economical solution to address these regulations is time release coating for fertilizers. Paraffin waxes are only material can be formulated to provide a hard, non-cracking, water resistant coating that breaks down over time allowing for the controlled release of active ingredients.

Other benefits paraffin waxes can bring to agriculture section are providing non-reactive, moisture free carrier system for active ingredients in agricultural applications. Water proofing properties of paraffin wax and microcrystalline waxes makes this material be used in dynamite wrappers as a moisture barrier.

Also this property has vast application in ink industry. In addition, paraffin waxes are added to everyday paper products. Select paraffin wax and paraffin wax blends are used to impart properties such as moisture and grease barriers, gloss, and freshness seals.

In all packaging applications, the package must contain and protect its products or contents. Depending on the product, these two major functions can take on a wide range of meanings.

For example, paper and paperboard can be of greater value in their ability to contribute strength and stiffness or rigidity to a container. Plastics, glass and metals may also offer strength and stiffness, but paper is more resilient than glass and can be more resilient than plastic over a wider temperature range. Paper and paperboard can also be lighter and far more easily printed on than the other materials.

The only difficulty you run into with paper and paperboard is their inherently poor barrier properties. In most cases, paper and paperboard must be coated with paraffin waxes or plastics, or laminated to plastic films or foil to develop barrier capabilities to water, vapor, gases or odors.