Beeswax, Bee Wax, Cera Alba White, Cera Flava Yellow, Refined Beeswax, Bleached Beeswax, Natural Beeswax, E901, 8012-89-3, 8006-40-4

BEESWAX (NATURAL BEE WAX PELLET)

Beeswax / Bee Wax / Cera Alba (White) / Cera Flava (Yellow) / E901
CAS Numbers: 8012-89-3 (Refined, White/Yellow Pellet); 8006-40-4 (Crude)
EC Number: 232-383-7
E Number: E901
INCI: Cera Alba (White), Cera Flava (Yellow)
Source: Apis mellifera (Honey Bee)

SECTION 1: PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION AND CHEMICAL IDENTITY

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis. It is a complex mixture of long-chain esters, hydrocarbons, free fatty acids, and fatty alcohols. It is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food (as E901), candles, and polishes due to its excellent film-forming, emulsifying, and structuring properties.

SECTION 2: SYNONYMS AND OTHER NAMES

SECTION 3: CHEMICAL STRUCTURE

3.1. General Composition

Beeswax is a complex mixture of over 300 different compounds. The main components are:

3.2. Key Structural Features

Simplified Structural Representation (Myricyl Palmitate - Main Ester):

CH₃-(CH₂)₁₄-COO-(CH₂)₂₉-CH₃

SECTION 4: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

SECTION 5: COMPARISON WITH ALTERNATIVE WAXES

SECTION 6: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages of Beeswax:

• Natural and renewable source

• Excellent structuring and stabilizing properties

• Hypoallergenic – skin-friendly

• Natural antibacterial properties (propolis residues)

• Sharp melting point (61-65°C) – very fast transition to liquid

• Good emulsifying properties

• Compatible with other waxes

Disadvantages of Beeswax:

• Animal-derived – not suitable for vegan products

• High cost (compared to vegetable waxes and synthetics)

• High risk of adulteration – often mixed with paraffin or stearic acid

• Alias risk – CAS number must be fixed in ERP systems to avoid confusion

• Can develop mold if stored in humid conditions

• May cause allergic reactions in propolis-sensitive individuals

SECTION 7: REFINING PROCESS AND GRADES

Bleaching Methods:

• Traditional: Chromic acid (H₂CrO₄) bleaching

• Modern: Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) bleaching (more environmentally friendly)

SECTION 8: APPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL USES

8.1. Cosmetics and Personal Care

8.2. Pharmaceutical Industry

8.3. Food Industry (E901)

8.4. Candle Making

8.5. Polishes and Coatings

8.6. Other Applications

SECTION 9: FORMULATION EXAMPLES

9.1. Lip Balm (Moisturizing, Protective)

Process: Melt all ingredients at 65-70°C, mix, pour into molds.

9.2. Natural Skin Cream (Emulsion, Oil-in-Water)

Process: Heat oil phase (beeswax + oils + emulsifier) to 70°C. Heat water phase to 70°C. Slowly add water phase to oil phase with high-shear mixing. Continue mixing while cooling.

9.3. Fruit Coating (Apples, Pears, Citrus)

Process: Prepare emulsion at room temperature (or emulsify melted wax into hot water). Spray or dip fruits, dry.

9.4. Chewing Gum Base

9.5. Furniture Polish (Natural)

Process: Melt waxes at 70°C, add oils, mix while cooling. Achieve paste consistency at room temperature.

SECTION 10: PROCESSING GUIDELINES

Important Processing Notes:

• Melting point is very sharp – solid below 61°C, fully fluid above 65°C

• Do not place directly over high heat (can ignite) – use water bath or indirect heating

• Shrinkage is high upon cooling – leave allowance for mold shrinkage

• Mixes well with other waxes (carnauba, paraffin)

SECTION 11: REGULATORY STATUS AND FOOD CONTACT

Food Coating Labeling Requirement:

• Waxed fruits must be labeled as "waxed"

• Must be listed as E901 in the ingredient list

SECTION 12: TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE

SECTION 13: GHS CLASSIFICATION

GHS Classification (Not Classified as Hazardous for Food/Pharma Grade):

Signal Word: None (not classified as hazardous)

Hazard Pictograms: None

Hazard Statements (H-Codes): None

SECTION 14: PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS (P-CODES)

SECTION 15: FIRST AID MEASURES

SECTION 16: FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

SECTION 17: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

SECTION 18: STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

SECTION 19: PACKAGING OPTIONS

SECTION 20: TRANSPORT INFORMATION

SECTION 21: REGULATORY INFORMATION

SECTION 22: ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

SECTION 23: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q1: Is beeswax vegan?
A: No. Beeswax is an animal-derived product from honey bees (Apis mellifera). It cannot be used in vegan products. Alternatives: Candelilla wax, carnauba wax, soy wax.

Q2: Is beeswax safe as a food coating?
A: Yes. It is approved by the EU (E901) and FDA (GRAS). It is used on fruits, confectionery, cheeses, and chewing gum. However, waxed fruits must be labeled as "waxed."

Q3: What is the difference between white and yellow beeswax?
A: Yellow beeswax (Cera Flava) is physically refined (filtering, washing) and retains its natural yellow color and honey-like odor. White beeswax (Cera Alba) is chemically bleached (chromic acid or hydrogen peroxide) and is more pure, odorless, and colorless. White beeswax is preferred in high-quality cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Q4: Does beeswax cause acne?
A: Generally no. Beeswax is not comedogenic (pore-clogging) (comedogenic rating 0-2). However, in some formulations with other oils, it may contribute to pore blockage. Patch testing is recommended for sensitive skin.

Q5: How much honey do bees consume to produce 1 kg of beeswax?
A: Approximately 10 kg of honey. Bees metabolize honey sugars in their bodies to secrete wax from their wax glands. This is why beeswax is about 10 times more valuable than honey.

Q6: Does beeswax burn when melted? What is the safe melting method?
A: It can ignite if placed directly over high heat. Safe melting methods:

• Water bath (double boiler): Place beeswax in a metal container, set over hot water.

• Wax melter: Electric or double-walled melter.

• Slow cooker: Low setting. Never leave directly on the stove. Melting point is 65°C – it does not ignite at this temperature, but above 200°C it may vaporize and ignite.

Q7: How can I prevent beeswax from molding during storage?
A: Store in a dry environment (below 60% RH), use airtight containers, keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Shelf life is 3-5 years – discard if color fades or moldy odor appears.

Q8: Can beeswax be mixed with paraffin wax?
A: Yes. Paraffin makes beeswax softer and cheaper. However, this is considered adulteration and is usually not declared on the label. If you want pure beeswax, request melting point (DSC) and GC analysis from your supplier.

Q9: Why is beeswax used in lip balm?
A: It provides structure (keeps lip balm solid), acts as a protective barrier against wind and cold, is not occlusive (does not trap moisture), and has natural antibacterial properties (due to propolis residues).

Q10: What are the non-food uses of beeswax?
A: Candle making (traditional, decorative, religious), leather care (shoe polish, leather cream), wood care (furniture polish, wood protector), dentistry (dental impression waxes), art (wax sculptures, encaustic painting), fishing line (water-repellent coating), thread and sewing (thread waxing).

SECTION 24: QUICK REFERENCE TABLE

SECTION 25: CRITICAL NOTICES AND BEST PRACTICES

CRITICAL NOTICES:

1. Vegan Not Suitable: Beeswax is an animal-derived product from honey bees. It is not suitable for vegan products.

2. Adulteration Risk: Pure beeswax is often adulterated with paraffin, stearic acid, or other waxes. Request GC or FTIR analysis reports from suppliers to verify purity.

3. Melting Point Sharpness: Beeswax has a very sharp melting point (61-65°C). Solid below 61°C, fully fluid above 65°C. This is a key quality indicator.

4. Mold Risk: Beeswax can develop mold if stored in humid conditions. Store in a dry environment (below 60% RH) with airtight containers.

5. Heat Sensitivity: Do not heat above 70°C unnecessarily. Prolonged heating above 70°C may cause color fading and degradation.

6. Direct Flame: Do not melt beeswax directly over an open flame – it can ignite. Use a water bath, wax melter, or slow cooker.

7. Allergic Reactions: Rare, but possible in individuals sensitive to propolis (bee products). Patch testing is recommended for topical applications.

8. Shrinkage: Beeswax shrinks significantly upon cooling (3-5%). Allow for mold shrinkage in candle and casting applications.

BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Storage: Store in a cool (10-25°C), dry place (below 60% RH), in airtight containers. Protect from direct sunlight and heat sources.

• Melting: Use a water bath (double boiler), wax melter, or slow cooker. Do not exceed 70°C unnecessarily. Never melt directly over an open flame.

• Filtering: If using crude beeswax, filter through cheesecloth or a fine mesh filter to remove debris and impurities.

• Compatibility: Beeswax mixes well with other waxes (carnauba, paraffin, candelilla). Adjust ratio based on desired hardness and melting point.

• Quality Control: Test for melting point (DSC), saponification value, acid value, and iodine value to verify purity. Request GC or FTIR analysis from suppliers.

• Labeling: For food applications, label as E901. For cosmetics, use INCI names Cera Alba (white) or Cera Flava (yellow).

• Waste Management: Dispose of waste in accordance with local regulations. Incineration is recommended for contaminated materials.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only and is prepared based on available technical data. The user is solely responsible for determining the suitability of the product for their specific application and for complying with all local, national, and international regulations. For complete safety, storage, handling, transport, waste, and regulatory compliance information, the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier must be consulted. This document does not substitute professional advice. Beeswax is a natural product and its properties may vary slightly depending on source and refining process.