wachse

Wachse are a broad class of lipids that are solid at room temperature and water-repellent. They consist mainly of long-chain esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, which gives them high melting points and chemical stability. They occur naturally in animals and plants and are also produced industrially for a variety of applications.

Natural waxes include beeswax, produced by honeybees to construct honeycomb, and plant waxes that coat leaves, fruits, and seeds. Notable examples are carnauba wax from the Brazilian palm Copernicia prunifera, candelilla wax from Euphorbia cerifera, and bayberry wax from Myrica species; there are also mineral-derived waxes such as montan wax from lignite. Many plant and animal waxes are refined or mixed to achieve specific hardness and melting ranges.

In addition to natural waxes, petroleum-derived waxes such as paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax are refined from crude oil. Synthetic waxes can be produced by polymerization or esterification to tailor properties for particular uses.

Uses of Wachse are diverse: candles and illumination, coatings for fruits and vegetables to extend shelf life, cosmetics and personal care products (lip balms, creams), pharmaceuticals (pediatric coatings), and industrial applications such as wood and shoe polishes, rust protection, and electrical insulation.

Interest in waxes spans traditional crafts to modern manufacturing. Major producers include countries with strong beekeeping, palm cultivation, and chemical refining industries. Sustainability concerns are associated with some natural waxes, notably palm-derived carnauba, and with the broader environmental footprint of petroleum-based waxes.