A major use for wax in the U.S. is treating paper products. Sasol Wax North America Corporation manufactures three types of wax used in the packaging industry: curtain coating, impregnating, and saturating.
Curtain coating waxes, also known as hot melts, are blends of waxes and polymers. They typically provide high gloss, hardness, moisture resistance, grease and scuff resistance and flexibility in folding. Paraffin wax is the primary ingredient, with polymers, resins and microwax commonly used as additives. Carton and board stock treated with curtain coats are for frozen/refrigerated food containers, and for shipment of fresh produce, seafood, poultry and meat.
Saturating waxes are also paraffin-based, and contain a small amount of polymer as an additive. They are used to give wet strength to corrugated board. Fully saturated board typically contains 45–50% wax. Saturated board is used in shipping fresh iced produce, iced seafood and poultry, and for industrial packaging.
Impregnating wax has a lower melting point and viscosity than saturating wax, which gives a more rapid penetration rate plus faster draining. Impregnating wax is straight paraffin with no polymer additives. It offers protection against water and water vapor.
All Sasol Wax North America Corporation’s packaging products meet FDA requirements for food contact.
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