What is carnauba wax?

Carnauba Wax

Carnauba wax, also called Brazil wax and palm wax, is a wax obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm (Copernicia prunifera), a plant native to and growing only in the northeastern Brazilian states of Piauí, Ceará, Maranhão, Bahia, and Rio Grande do Norte. It is known as the "queen of waxes" and in its pure state, it usually comes in the form of hard yellow-brown flakes.

• Source: Carnauba wax is harvested from the leaves of the Copernicia prunifera palm tree. The leaves are dried, beaten to loosen the wax, and then the wax is refined and bleached.
• Composition: It's a complex mixture of esters, fatty acids, alcohols, and resins. It contains mainly esters of fatty acids (80-85%), free fatty acids (3-6%), free fatty alcohols (8-16%), and resins (4-6%).
• Properties: Carnauba wax is exceptionally hard and has a high melting point (82-86 °C or 180-187 °F). It's known for its gloss, hardness, water resistance, and hypoallergenic properties.
• Uses: Its uses are diverse:
  • Cosmetics: Used in lipsticks, mascaras, eyeliners, and sunscreens due to its gloss and emollient properties.
  • Food Industry: Used as a coating agent for candies, fruits, and other foods to provide shine and preserve freshness (e.g., on gummy candies and some chocolates). It also used as a release agent.
  • Automotive Industry: Used in car waxes and polishes to create a protective and glossy finish.
  • Floor and Furniture Polishes: Adds shine and protection.
  • Paper Coatings: Improves gloss and durability.
  • Electrical Insulation: Because it is a good dielectric, sometimes used in electrical components.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Used as a binder and coating agent for tablets and capsules.
• Grades: It is graded according to its color and purity. The grades are typically classified as T1, T3, and T4, with T1 being the highest grade (lightest color and highest purity).
• Harvesting: The harvesting process can be labor-intensive, often involving manual removal of the leaves.
• Sustainability: The sustainability of carnauba wax production is an increasing concern, with efforts being made to ensure fair labor practices and environmentally responsible harvesting methods.