Natural Bee Wax Pellet, Bees wax, Beeswax,  White Wax, Yellow Wax, 8012-89-3, 8006-40-4

Natural Bee Wax Pellet, Bees wax, Beeswax,  White Wax, Yellow Wax, 8012-89-3, 8006-40-4

BEESWAX (Cera Alba / Cera Flava)

CAS No: 8012-89-3 (Refined, White/Yellow Pellets) | 8006-40-4 (Crude, Pigmented)
EINECS: 232-383-7 | E Number (Food): E901
INCI: Cera Alba (White), Cera Flava (Yellow)
Source: Apis mellifera (Honey Bee)

1. Physical & Chemical Properties

Typical Composition (Complex Structure):

2. Comparison with Alternative Waxes

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 solid-to-liquid transition

Disadvantages:

• Animal-derived – cannot be used in vegan products

• High cost (compared to vegetable and synthetic waxes)

• High alias risk – CAS number must be fixed in ERP systems

• Adulteration risk (mixed with paraffin, stearic acid)

3. Industry Suitability by Application

4. Formulation Examples (Industry-Specific)

Generic formulation principles. No brand names used.

A. Lip Balm – Moisturizing, Protective

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

B. Natural Skin Cream (Oil-in-Water Emulsion)

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.

C. Fruit Coating (Food Grade – Apples, Pears, Citrus)

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

D. Chewing Gum Base

E. Furniture Polish (Natural)

Process: Melt waxes at 70°C, add oils, mix while cooling. At room temperature, forms a paste.

5. Refining Process and Grades

Bleaching Methods:

• Traditional: Chromic acid (H₂CrO₄) bleaching

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

6. Regulatory & Food Contact Status

Food Coating Labeling Requirement:

• Waxed fruits must be labeled as "waxed"

• Must be listed in ingredients as E901

7. Safety & Toxicology

First Aid:

8. Storage & Stability

9. Adulteration Risks & Laboratory Analysis

Signs of Adulterated Product:

• Low melting point (<60°C) – paraffin admixture

• Very high melting point (>68°C) – stearic acid or carnauba admixture

• Excessive hardness – carnauba or synthetic additive

• Low cost – paraffin is 30-50% cheaper

• Odorless or petroleum-like odor – paraffin or microcrystalline wax

Laboratory Analysis Methods:

Recommendation: Request GC or FTIR analysis report from your supplier.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is beeswax vegan?

A: No. Beeswax is an animal product derived 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. Approved by EU (E901) and FDA (GRAS). Used on fruits, confectionery, cheese, and chewing gum. However, waxed fruits must be labeled as "waxed".

Q3: What is the difference between white beeswax and yellow beeswax?

A:

• Yellow beeswax (Cera Flava): Physically refined (filtration, washing). Retains natural yellow color and mild honey odor.

• White beeswax (Cera Alba): Chemically bleached (chromic acid or hydrogen peroxide). More pure, odorless, and colorless. Preferred for high-quality cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Q4: Does beeswax cause acne?

A: Generally no. Beeswax is non-comedogenic (comedogenic rating 0-2). However, in some formulations with other oils, it may contribute to pore clogging. Patch test recommended for sensitive skin.

Q5: How much honey does a bee need to produce 1 kg of beeswax?

A: Approximately 10 kg of honey. Bees must metabolize honey sugars to produce wax from their wax glands. Therefore, beeswax is about 10 times more valuable than honey.

Q6: Does beeswax catch fire when melted? What is the safe melting method?

A: Beeswax can ignite if placed directly on an open flame. Safe melting methods:

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

• Wax melter (electric or double-walled)

• Slow cooker (low setting)

Never leave beeswax unattended on a direct stove. Melting point is 65°C – at this temperature it does not burn, but above 200°C it vaporizes and can ignite.

Q7: How do I prevent beeswax from molding during storage?

A:

• Store in a dry environment (<60% RH)

• Use airtight containers

• Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources

• Shelf life is 3-5 years – discard if color lightens or mold 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 labels. If you want pure beeswax, request melting point (DSC) and GC analysis from your supplier.

Q9: Why is beeswax used in lip balms?

A:

1. Provides structure – keeps lip balm solid

2. Protective barrier – protects lips from wind and cold

3. Not occlusive – does not trap moisture but protects from external factors

4. Natural antibacterial – due to propolis residues

Q10: What are non-food uses of beeswax?

A:

• Candle making (traditional, decorative, religious candles)

• Leather care (shoe polish, leather conditioner)

• Wood care (furniture polish, wood protectant)

• Dentistry (dental impression waxes)

• Art (wax sculptures, encaustic painting)

• Fishing line (water-repellent coating)

• Thread and sewing (thread waxing)

11. Summary Table – Pros & Cons

12. Additional Information – Critical Note

"A bee needs to consume approximately 10 kg of honey to produce 1 kg of beeswax."

This is a critical point explaining the value and production cost of the raw material. Beeswax is metabolically very expensive to produce, making it about 10 times more valuable than honey.