Carnauba Wax — Frequently Asked Questions

They describe colour and degree of refining, which follow from how the leaves were harvested and processed. T1 is the palest and most refined, taken from the youngest leaves, and is used where colour matters, as in cosmetics and confectionery coating. T3 and T4 are progressively darker and are used in polishes and industrial applications where appearance of the raw wax is less critical.

Because of measurable properties rather than marketing. It melts at 82 to 86 degrees Celsius, the highest of any commonly used natural wax, and it is exceptionally hard, with very low needle penetration. Its long-chain aliphatic esters and hydroxylated acid esters crystallise into a fine, dense, highly reflective surface, which is the source of its characteristic glass-like shine.

Very little. A few percent will noticeably raise the melting point and hardness of a softer wax system, and gloss improves at even lower additions. Because it is so hard and high-melting, using it as a base rather than an additive generally produces something too brittle to work with, so it is almost always a minor component in a blend.

It is plant-derived, taken from the leaves of the Brazilian palm Copernicia prunifera, so it is suitable for vegan formulation. It is also widely approved as a food glazing agent and is used to coat confectionery, fruit and pharmaceutical tablets. Food and pharmaceutical applications require the appropriate grade and documentation, which should be specified at enquiry.