What are these natural waxes and what are they used for? Candelilla, Carnauba and Beeswax

Video will open in a new window

Using the mobile app? Copy this link into your browser:

Carnauba Wax
This hard yellow-brown wax comes from the Carnauba palm tree (Copernicea Cerifera) and is found only in the north east of Brazil in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Cerara and Piaui.

The wax is obtained from the film of powder that coats the sword shaped leaves protecting them from the severe climate of the region. During the harvest period (August-January) the leaves are cut, bundled together and put to dry in the sun.

The powder is then mechanically thrashed from the leaves and graded by colour the lighter powder originating from the younger leaves. Once refined, the Carnauba Wax is offered in the Prime Yellow grade which is a very pale yellow wax usually available in flake, lump, micronized or powdered form.

This wax is ideal for the Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Industries as it conforms to British European and US Pharmacopoeia specifications.