- Paraffin and Its Different Grades
- Choosing the right paraffin grade
- Which paraffin grades are most widely used in Moldova
- Packaging of various paraffin grades for Moldova
- Key Moldova ports for receiving paraffin grades
- Domestic and foreign Paraffin Supplier Moldova
- Specifications of semi-refined paraffin with oil grade 1%, 1-2% and 3-5% for Paraffin Supplier Moldova
Paraffin and Its Different Grades
Paraffin is a white or colorless soft solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It’s composed mainly of straight-chain alkanes and is widely used in candles, cosmetics, packaging, rubber, and as a moisture barrier. Paraffin comes in various grades, each suited for specific industrial or commercial applications.
- Fully Refined Paraffin Wax
Oil content: <0.5%
Appearance: White, odorless, and highly pure
Applications: Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, candles
Features: High purity, excellent color and odor stability - Semi Refined Paraffin Wax
Oil content: 1% , 1–2%, 1-3% , 3-5%, 5-7%
Appearance: White to slightly off-white
Applications: Candle-making, polishes, waterproofing, packaging
Features: Less refined than fully refined, but more economical - Slack Wax
Oil content: 5–30%
Appearance: Yellowish or brownish, more viscous
Applications: Lubricants, matches, rust protection, paraffin production
Grades:
Light Slack Wax (lower oil content, lighter color)
Heavy Slack Wax (higher oil content, darker and more viscous) - Microcrystalline Wax
Oil content: Variable
Appearance: More elastic and tacky than paraffin wax
Applications: Cosmetics, adhesives, coatings, pharmaceuticals
Features: Smaller crystals, more flexible and sticky
Choosing the right paraffin grade
Selecting the appropriate paraffin grade is crucial to ensure optimal performance, cost-efficiency, and product safety. Here are key factors to consider when choosing a paraffin grade for your application:
- Application Purpose
Candles & Cosmetics: Use fully refined paraffin wax for its purity and consistent performance.
Packaging & Waterproofing: Semi refined paraffin wax provides good performance at a lower cost.
Industrial Lubricants & Matches: Slack wax (light or heavy) is ideal due to its higher oil content.
Pharmaceutical & Personal Care: Microcrystalline wax is preferred for its tackiness and elasticity. - Oil Content
Lower oil content (e.g., <0.5%) is better for clean-burning and high-purity applications.
Higher oil content (5–30%) offers better lubrication and is more suitable for industrial use. - Melting Point
Affects how the wax behaves under heat.
Choose lower melting points for easy application (e.g., skin creams).
Higher melting points are better for structural integrity (e.g., container candles or technical coatings). - Purity and Color
High-purity white waxes are best for visible or skin-contact products.
Lower purity grades are sufficient for technical or hidden industrial applications. - Budget Constraints
Fully refined paraffin is costlier but essential for premium or regulated products.
Semi refined and slack wax are more economical for general or bulk industrial use.
Which paraffin grades are most widely used in Moldova
In Moldova, the most widely used paraffin wax grades are semi-refined types with oil content ranging from 1% to 5%. These grades are prevalent due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility, catering to various industrial and domestic applications.
Common Paraffin Wax Grades in Moldova
- Semi-Refined Paraffin Wax (1–3% Oil Content)
– Light Grade: Features a melting point between 58–60°C, making it suitable for Moldova’s cooler climate. It’s commonly used in candle manufacturing, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
– Heavy Grade: With a higher melting point of 62–64°C, this grade is more suited for warmer environments and is less commonly used in Moldova. - Semi-Refined Paraffin Wax (3–5% Oil Content)
– Light Grade: Melting point ranges from 58–60°C. It’s utilized in applications like candle making, packaging, and industrial lubricants.
– Heavy Grade: Melting point between 62–64°C. Primarily used in warmer climates; thus, its usage in Moldova is limited. - Fully Refined Paraffin Wax (<0.75% Oil Content)
– This high-purity wax is employed in specialized applications such as food packaging, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Due to its higher cost, it’s less commonly used in general industrial applications in Moldova.
Packaging of various paraffin grades for Moldova
In Moldova, the packaging of paraffin wax varies depending on the grade and intended application. Suppliers offer diverse packaging solutions to meet the needs of industries such as candle making, cosmetics, food packaging, and pharmaceuticals.
- Semi-Refined Paraffin Wax (1–5% Oil Content)
Semi-refined paraffin wax is commonly used in Moldova due to its balance between quality and cost-effectiveness. Packaging options include:
5 kg Slabs: Typically wrapped in polyethylene bags and then packed in cardboard cartons or polypropylene (PP) bags. Each carton may contain multiple slabs, and palletizing is available for bulk shipments.
Pellets or Granules: Available in 25 kg high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or woven PP bags. This form is easier to handle, measure, and melt, reducing contamination risks.
Jumbo Bags: For large-scale industrial use, semi-refined wax can be supplied in jumbo bags ranging from 600 to 1,000 kg. - Fully Refined Paraffin Wax (<0.75% Oil Content)
Fully refined paraffin wax, known for its high purity, is used in applications requiring stringent quality standards. Packaging methods include:
5–6 kg Slabs: Packed in PP bags and then placed in 30 kg carton boxes. These cartons are often shrink-wrapped to prevent contamination and facilitate handling.
Bulk Liquid: For large-scale operations, fully refined wax can be delivered in liquid form via tank trucks or railcars.
Key Moldova ports for receiving paraffin grades
- Giurgiulești International Free Port (GIFP)
- Regional Transit Ports
Domestic and foreign Paraffin Supplier Moldova
- GlobalFashion.md (Chișinău)
- Loial-DT SRL
Locations: Operates branches in Chișinău, Bălți, and other cities.
International Paraffin Supplier Moldova
ZUMRUT International Kimya is a prominent Turkish petrochemical company supplying paraffin wax to Moldova and other Eastern European countries. With operations in Turkey and the UAE, the company is a key player in the regional paraffin wax market.
Specifications of semi-refined paraffin with oil grade 1%, 1-2% and 3-5% for Paraffin Supplier Moldova
| Property | 1% Oil Content | 1–2% Oil Content | 3–5% Oil Content |
| Oil Content | ≤ 1% | 1–2% | 3–5% |
| Melting Point (°C) | 58-60 | 58–62 | 56–60 |
| Color | White to snow white | Off-white to cream | Pale yellow to off-white |
| Odor | Odorless or very mild | Mild hydrocarbon scent | Noticeable hydrocarbon scent |
| Penetration @25°C (dmm) | ≤ 15 | 15–20 | 20–30 |
| Viscosity @100°C (cSt) | 4.0–5.5 | 4.5–6.0 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Flash Point (°C) | ≥ 240 | ≥ 230 | ≥ 220 |
| Moisture | None | None | None |
| Ash Content | ≤ 0.03% | ≤ 0.05% | ≤ 0.1% |
| Congealing Point (°C) | 58–62 | 57–61 | 55–59 |
| Applications | Cosmetics, food-grade candles, packaging | Candle making, paper coating, crayons | Matches, plywood, rubber, industrial candles |
