Paraffin Wax

Paraffin waxes are classified according to oil content, melting point, and the amount of processing put in. At the simplest level, Slack Wax, a byproduct of base oil refining, is the feedstock from which different grades of more sophisticated waxes are produced. Fully Refined Waxes are white, odourless and tasteless, and have less than 0.5% oil content. They are widely used for candle making and in the packaging industry as wax coatings for paper, film and foil substrates including corrugated board, cups and container. Waxes are marketed in either liquid or solid state.

Common uses are for corrugated boxes, waxed papers, frozen food cartons and wrappers, paper cups, candles, cosmetics, rubber antioxidants, lumber end seal, adhesives, protective coatings, food additives, cheese dipping, crayons, moisture barriers, polishes, modelling clay, plus many others.

ICIS pricing quotes Paraffin Wax in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the US Gulf.

Frequency:

Published weekly on Wednesdays

 

Paraffin Wax (EUROPE)

Weekly Price Assessments:

Paraffin Wax Domestic (Monthly) Prices

Melt Point 52/54C

• FD NWE (USD/MT – forex conversion from the EUR quote)
• FD NWE (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Melt Point 56/58C

• FD NWE (USD/MT – forex conversion from the EUR quote)
• FD NWE (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Melt Point 60/62C

• FD NWE (USD/MT – forex conversion from the EUR quote)
• FD NWE (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Paraffin Wax Spot Prices (European Origin)

• CIF NWE (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB))

Paraffin Wax Spot Prices (Chinese Origin)

• CIF NWE (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB))

Paraffin Wax Spot Prices (Russian Origin)

• FOB Poland/Belarus Border (EUR/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB))

 

Paraffin Wax (ASIA-PACIFIC)

Weekly Price Assessments:

Bulk Liquid Wax Spot Prices

Melt Points 54/56C to 58/60C,

• FOB CHINA MAIN PORT Fully-Refined (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Melt Points 60/62C to 64/66C

• FOB CHINA MAIN PORT Fully-Refined (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Slab (Solid) Wax Spot Prices

Melt Points 52/54C to 56/58C

• FOB CHINA MAIN PORT Fully-Refined (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• FOB CHINA MAIN PORT Semi-Refined (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Melt Points 58/60C to 62/64C

• FOB CHINA MAIN PORT Fully-Refined (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)
• FOB CHINA MAIN PORT Semi-Refined (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Spot Prices (Asia Origin)

Melt Points 54/56C to 58/60C,

• CFR SOUTH/S.E.ASIA MAIN PORT Fully-Refined Slab
• CFR SOUTH/S.E.ASIA MAIN PORT Semi-Refined Slab

Feedstock (Typical oil content 10-15%)

• FOB ASIA MAIN PORT Slackwax Bulk Liquid

 

Paraffin Wax (US GULF)

Weekly Price assessments:

Paraffin Wax Spot Prices

Melt Point 125F (52C) to 140F (60C)

• FOB USG (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

Slackwax Bulk Liquid

• FOB USG (USD/MT & conversion to US CTS/LB)

 

General Information:

Assessment window: Price assessments are based on information supplied by market participants through the week up to close of business on Wednesdays at 1800 hours in London, Singapore and Houston.

 

Specification: In the US, ICIS pricing assesses fully refined liquid paraffin wax with a 52-60ºC melting point range and an oil content below 0.5%. Domestic US spot prices for bulk liquid slackwax have an oil content range of 1.5% to 10% oil content. In Asia, fully refined wax has an oil content of 0.5% or less, while semi-refined wax has an oil content of about 1.5%.

In Europe, domestic and spot prices are for melt points 52-62ºC with an oil content of up to 0.5%. Russian origin spot prices are for melt points 52-58 ºC with an oil content of up to 0.8%, classified as P2. This product is not RAL quality.

 

Timing: Cargoes loading or delivered four-six weeks forward from the date of publication.

 

Terms: 30-60 days after bill of lading date, and in Asia L/C at sight.

 

Standard cargo size: Generally bulk liquid shipments around 3,000-5,000 tonnes; slab wax shipments up to 100 tonnes. Price assessments in the US are based on domestic bulk sales in 7,000 gallon tank trucks up to 25,000 gallon railcars. In Europe, small-to-medium shipments of liquid paraffin wax are typically 100-300 tonnes.

 

Assessment basis:

The report market commentaries detail transactions or offers/bids within the Asia-Pacific region and trade flows from Asia to Europe or the US.

In Europe, the domestic prices are assessed on a monthly basis, which is also reflected in monthly deltas. The report also includes details on Chinese imported spot material, Russian imported spot material and quotes of slack wax spot material.

Chinese refineries are the world’s largest suppliers due to the high wax content of their crude feedstock. Bulk liquid exports move from China to the US and Europe. Solid paraffin wax in the form of slabs is exported to the rest of the world. As such, the price tables and the text of the Asia-Pacific report focus on Chinese exports. However, details of transactions, bids/offers and demand and supply fundamentals of other wax origins, like Taiwanese, Japanese or Indonesian wax, are also mentioned in the text of the report.

The US report regularly includes pricing information for Latin America, particularly Asian wax being imported into the region.

Assessments published in the ICIS pricing Paraffin Wax reports are derived from weekly interaction with as broad a cross-section of the market as possible. Regular interaction is maintained with producers, consumers, distributors and traders so as to keep abreast of the latest pricing developments. While deals confirmed with both buyer and seller are the preferred source of guidance in assessing prices, partially confirmed transactions, reported deals, and rumoured business are also applied in the assessment process, at the editor’s discretion.

All regional reports offer market commentary that includes details of traced transactions, news on the supply/demand balance, export/import information, contract price negotiations and general sentiment for price direction. Where applicable there is product information, comments on up and downstream market developments and general market intelligence.

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