- Paraffin and Its Different Grades
- Choosing the right paraffin grade
- Which paraffin grades are most widely used in North Macedonia
- Packaging of various paraffin grades for North Macedonia
- Key North Macedonia ports for receiving paraffin grades
- Domestic and foreign Paraffin Supplier North Macedonia
- Specifications of semi-refined paraffin with oil grade 1%, 1-2% and 3-5% for Paraffin Supplier North Macedonia
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 North Macedonia
In North Macedonia, the most widely used paraffin wax grades are fully refined and semi-refined paraffin waxes. These grades are integral to various industries, including candle manufacturing, packaging, cosmetics, and rubber processing.
Key Paraffin Wax Grades in North Macedonia
- Fully Refined Paraffin Wax
This high-purity wax contains less than 0.5% oil content and is characterized by its hardness, whiteness, and odorless nature. It’s commonly utilized in applications requiring stringent quality standards, such as:
Candles: Especially for premium or decorative candles.
Cosmetics: Used in products like lipsticks and creams.
Food Packaging: Suitable for applications where purity is essential . - Semi-Refined Paraffin Wax
With an oil content ranging from 0.5% to 7%, this grade offers a balance between cost and performance. It’s widely employed in:
Candle Manufacturing: Particularly for religious and household candles, which are prevalent due to cultural practices in the region.
Rubber and Packaging Industries: Where moderate purity levels are acceptable .
Packaging of various paraffin grades for North Macedonia
Paraffin Wax Packaging for North Macedonia
- Fully Refined Paraffin Wax
Common Uses: Candles, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, packaging
Packaging Options:
5 kg slabs in carton boxes
25 kg slabs (5 slabs x 5 kg) in cartons, shrink-wrapped on pallets
PE-lined Kraft paper bags, 25 kg
Private label retail packs: 0.5 – 1 kg blocks (optional) - Semi Refined Paraffin Wax
Common Uses: Candle manufacturing, board coating, matches
Packaging Options:
5 kg slabs in shrink film or PE bags
25 kg net weight in cartons or on wooden pallets
PE-coated paper wrapping + carton for humid conditions - Slack Wax (Light & Heavy Grades)
Common Uses: Rubber, match industry, emulsions, board
Packaging Options:
180 kg galvanized iron drums
200-liter new steel drums - Granulated or Pelletized Paraffin
Common Uses: Injection molding, compounding, additives
Packaging Options:
25 kg PE bags (moisture-proof)
Jumbo bags (500–1000 kg) for bulk delivery
Key North Macedonia ports for receiving paraffin grades
North Macedonia is a landlocked country without direct access to maritime ports. Consequently, paraffin wax imports are typically routed through nearby seaports in neighboring countries, followed by overland transportation to North Macedonia. The primary entry points for paraffin wax are:
- Greece – Thessaloniki Port
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – Port of Neum
- North Macedonia – Inland Transport Infrastructure
Rail and Road Networks: North Macedonia boasts a well-developed network connecting to neighboring countries, facilitating efficient inland transportation of goods.
Key Routes: Major highways and rail lines link Thessaloniki and other regional ports to North Macedonia’s industrial centers.
Domestic and foreign Paraffin Supplier North Macedonia
- GT-Perun doo
Based in Skopje, GT-Perun doo specializes in purchasing paraffin, bitumen, and fuel oil. They process and sell these products to the local market and export to countries including Albania, Serbia, and Croatia. - Turkish Exporters
Several Turkish companies, such as Aspar Ltd, offer paraffin wax products to North Macedonian importers. These companies supply various grades of paraffin wax, including fully refined and semi-refined types.
International Suppliers Exporting to North Macedonia
- Zumrut Kimya (Turkey)
Zumrut Kimya is a prominent supplier of semi-refined paraffin wax in Eastern Europe, including North Macedonia. They provide waxes suitable for applications in packaging, rubber, cosmetics, and textiles.
Specifications of semi-refined paraffin with oil grade 1%, 1-2% and 3-5% for Paraffin Supplier North Macedonia
| 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 |
