Waxes of Vegetable Origin for Candle Making: How to Choose
Waxes of vegetable origin include different raw materials and formulations based on soy, rapeseed, sunflower, coconut and other plant-derived sources. Their properties vary depending on the individual grade and manufacturing process.
To select a suitable wax, start by identifying the type of candle you intend to make, then review the recommended application and technical specifications of each product.
What Are the Differences Between Soy, Rapeseed and Sunflower Waxes?
Soy waxes are available in different formulations, mainly for container candles, although certain grades are also intended for moulded candles.
Candelis offers several rapeseed waxes, including COL40 and R50 for container candles, and COL50 for moulded candles.
Our sunflower waxes also include grades for different manufacturing processes: T40 for container candles and T51 for moulded candles.
The range also includes coconut-based and olive-based formulations for container candles, as well as a rapeseed-copra wax intended for moulded candles.
No single wax family should automatically be considered superior to another. The right choice depends on the formulation, intended application and desired result.
Which Wax of Vegetable Origin Should You Choose for Container or Moulded Candles?
For container candles, choose a wax formulated for pouring into jars or other containers. Container adhesion, surface appearance after cooling and pouring conditions are among the factors to assess.
For moulded candles, select a grade specifically intended for moulding. Mechanical strength, shrinkage during cooling and ease of removal from the mould are particularly important.
A wax formulated for container candles should not automatically be considered suitable for moulding, or vice versa.
Which Technical Specifications Should You Compare?
When selecting a wax for professional candle production, consider:
- Recommended application: container candles, moulded candles or other manufacturing processes.
- Thermal properties: melting point, drop point or solidification point, depending on the available technical data.
- Processing conditions: working temperatures, pouring and cooling.
- Compatibility with other components: fragrances, dyes, wicks and containers.
- Packaging: product format and quantities required for your production.
The drop point should not be confused with the melting point or pouring temperature. Consult the relevant technical data sheets and carry out trials using your complete candle formulation before moving to large-scale production.
Vegetable Wax or Wax of Vegetable Origin: What's the Difference?
Both expressions are used in the candle-making industry. They refer to raw materials derived from plant-based sources, but neither term alone establishes the exact composition of a wax or the processing it has undergone.
Depending on the grade, raw materials may have undergone processes such as refining or hydrogenation. Some formulations also combine several components.
A wax of vegetable origin is therefore not necessarily a “100% natural” wax. The origin of its raw materials does not, by itself, establish how extensively they have been processed or their environmental impact.
At Candelis, we prefer the expression “wax of vegetable origin” to describe the origin of the raw materials without making assumptions about the composition or properties of individual grades.
Buying Waxes of Vegetable Origin in Bulk: Candelis as Your Supplier
A supplier and wholesaler of candle-making raw materials since 1990, Candelis supports independent candle makers, candle brands and industrial manufacturers in selecting wax grades suited to their production processes and supply requirements.
Explore our complete range of candle-making waxes.
Looking for waxes of vegetable origin for regular production or bulk purchasing? Contact Candelis for technical guidance or a personalised quotation.
