Microcrystalline Wax

High-Performance Microcrystalline Waxes for Industry

Engineered for consistency and versatility, IGI’s microcrystalline waxes meet strict technical and quality standards across demanding industries. We offer microcrystalline waxes in a range of colors from white to amber, hardness levels from 7 to 36 ASTM D1321 at 25°C, and melt points from 145°F/61°C to 194°F/90°C. And if none of our off-the-shelf waxes are quite right for your needs, we will work directly with you to create blends to suit your exact specifications. 

IGI microcrystalline wax can be supplied in bulk liquid, granule, pellet, or slab form. From cosmetic-grade and food-grade microcrystalline wax to those suited to industrial applications, IGI is your trusted supplier of premium bulk waxes. 

Your Microcrystalline Wax Partner

We have been in the wax business since 1949 and, in that time, served thousands of clients across countless industries. From humble beginnings, we are proud to have grown to the point of owning and operating a fully integrated supply chain including refining, blending, and terminal facilities. 

Our goal is to become the go-to supplier of wax products for manufacturers and businesses across North America, delivering quality, value, and great customer service with every shipment. Reliability and innovation are at the heart of what we do. With decades of expertise in the wax industry and robust, responsive technical support, IGI is a leader in the microcrystalline wax market. 

Grades, Technical Data and Compliance

Browse our range of microcrystalline wax grades and view our technical specifications to find the right wax for your needs. Whether you are seeking microcrystalline waxes for food, industrial, cosmetic, or specialist applications, IGI is ideally situated to provide what you need. 

Microcrystalline waxes typically offer a range of melting point, & color grades to meet specific end-product needs.

Conformance to FDA requirements as outlined in 21 CFR 178.3710

IGI Microcrystalline wax is supplied as granule, pellet, slabs or liquid bulk, all designed to fit your processing needs.

Our reputation is everything to us. That’s why each batch of IGI wax is tested for purity, performance, and compliance with industry standards, including food-grade and industrial use requirements. We believe in absolute transparency, which is why our technical data sheets, certifications, and product specifications are freely available for you to view at any time. 

Several other grades of microcrystalline wax are available from IGI, including microcrystalline wax blends that can be manufactured to suite specific applications or specifications. Please contact IGI for details.

Microcrystalline waxes are generally divided into 3 grades

Applications and Industries

 IGI microcrystalline wax is designed for diverse uses including

• Cosmetics & personal care (lipsticks, balms, creams)
• Food packaging & cheese coatings
• Hot-melt adhesives
• Rubber & tire manufacturing
• Electrical insulation
• Candle and wax blends
• Corrosion prevention
• Industrial, automotive, and specialty uses

Key Features and Benefits of Microcrystalline Wax

Microcrystalline wax delivers reliable performance across demanding applications, with properties that support both formulation control and finished-product durability:

• Excellent flexibility and elasticity to reduce brittleness and cracking
• Higher melting point than paraffin for improved heat resistance and shape retention
• Fine crystal structure that supports smooth texture, improved film formation, and consistent performance
• High tack and cohesive strength to enhance binding and adhesion in blends, coatings, and adhesives
• Superior oil retention and barrier performance to help resist moisture migration and protect surfaces
• Stable performance across temperature extremes to maintain functional properties in storage, transport, and end use
• Food-grade and technical grades available to meet application and compliance requirements
• Consistent supply and tailored solutions, including multiple melt points, hardness levels, and formats to match your process and specifications

Customization and Technical Support

Get microcrystalline wax tailored to your needs and processes: IGI offers custom blends, expert consulting services, technical guidance, and scalable supply options for any operation. No order is too large or complex for us, and we can offer flexible shipment and packaging options including private label solutions. 

Whether you need your microcrystalline wax to operate at a specific melt point or exhibit specialist properties tailored to your industry, our team of experts will work with you to engineer a solution that meets your requirements. 

When you work with IGI, you can expect a comprehensive process that includes: 

Consultation 

This is the starting point of our relationship with you. Our experts will work directly with you to assess your needs, identify any problems or pain points, and begin exploring ways that we can help. 

Prototyping

We want to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your IGI bespoke wax blend. We undergo a robust prototyping and sampling process, sending samples to you for testing and feedback and refining them until they are perfect. 

Production

From pilot testing to full volume and bulk orders, we can handle wax production runs and shipments of all sizes in our dedicated and industry-leading facilities. 

Packaging and Delivery

With flexible shipping and customizable packaging options, our packaging and delivery service ensures that your wax products are with you right on time, every time.

Customer Support 

We believe in providing not only great products, but superior customer service. Our knowledgeable support team is here to provide you with onboarding assistance, troubleshooting and problem solving, and technical guidance, ensuring a stress-free customer experience with IGI. 

Contact IGI Today

Microcrystalline Wax Storage Requirements

Microcrystalline wax stores well, but it does not tolerate poor heat management any better than other petroleum waxes. Oxidation is the main factor affecting shelf life, and oxidized wax darkens and develops an unpleasant, burnt odor, which is a visible problem in the white grades and a specification issue across all grades.

An antioxidant is mixed into the wax during refining to slow oxidation, and it is gradually consumed over time. The conditions described below conserve that antioxidant and, with it, the wax. Responsibility for procedures that comply with facility codes and regulations rests with each customer.

Solid Microcrystalline Wax Storage Conditions

Our microcrystalline grades ship as granules, pellets, and slabs on pallets, and standard pallet-handling procedures are suitable. Store solid wax indoors in its original packaging, at room temperature or lower, and out of direct sunlight.

Liquid Microcrystalline Wax Storage Conditions

Hold liquid wax at 15 to 20°F above the grade’s melt point. A grade melting at 145°F belongs in the 160 to 165°F range, while a 194°F hardening grade needs roughly 209 to 214°F. Every 20°F above the recommended range halves the maximum shelf life, and with all precautions in place, you should expect an approximate 100-day shelf life for liquid waxes. Other recommendations include:

• Store liquid waxes in lightproof, opaque tanks, as exposure to light, air, and reactive metals accelerates oxidation regardless of temperature.
• Minimize aeration by avoiding practices that introduce air into hot wax, such as continuous top-splashing or bubbling air through the liquid.
• Prevent contact with copper, brass, zinc, or alloys containing significant amounts of these metals; while brief exposure is typically harmless, prolonged contact should be avoided.
• Completely discard oxidized wax from the system rather than blending it back into good material, as it will trigger oxidation throughout the entire batch.

For more information, read our Wax Storage and Handling Guidelines. 

Quality Assurance and Customer Trust

Every IGI Wax product is backed by robust quality assurance, strict compliance with regulatory requirements, and reliable documentation. Our goal is to be the go-to strategic partner for all things wax, and it is essential to us that you feel able to order with confidence. Here are some of the ways we ensure quality control in every single batch. 

Quality Assurance and Customer Trust

We perform continuous quality assurance by testing every batch of IGI microcrystalline wax for factors such as purity, melting point, oil content, and performance. Our products are tested not only in-house, but also in third-party independent laboratories. 

Certifications

We work closely with industry and regulatory bodies to ensure that our waxes are safe and fit for purpose. All relevant grades of IGI wax meet FDA, REACH, and ISO standards. Our microcrystalline wax adheres to FDA requirements as outlined in 21 CFR 178.3710 for use with food. 

Traceability 

Our comprehensive documentation processes ensure that our waxes are always traceable to ensure transparency and accountability. In addition, we retain samples from every order.

Customer Guarantee

We believe in our products and are confident our customers will love them, too. That’s why, with our customer guarantee, we will replace any order that does not meet our published specifications for any reason, with no fuss and at no cost to you. 

Transparent Reporting

Transparency builds trust and has helped us to thrive for more than 75 years. We provide free access to important pieces of documentation such as Certificates of Analysis (CoA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and Technical Data Sheets (TDS) for every IGI wax product and shipment. 

Microcrystalline Wax: Frequently Asked Questions

What is microcrystalline wax? 

Microcrystalline wax is a hydrocarbon wax derived from petroleum with a fine-grained crystal structure. 

What is the melting point of IGI microcrystalline wax?

Microcrystalline wax’s melting point ranges from 140 to 200°F (60 to 93°C)

What industries use microcrystalline wax?

Microcrystalline wax finds use in a wide array of industries, from cosmetics to adhesives, coatings, tires and rubber, food and beverages, and electronics, amongst others. 

How does microcrystalline wax differ from paraffin wax?

While microcrystalline wax and paraffin wax are both derived from petroleum, they differ in both their properties and their molecular structure. Microcrystalline wax has a higher molecular weight and contains smaller and more irregular crystals than paraffin wax. It is more flexible, more viscous, and more elastic. 

Is your microcrystalline wax food-grade certified?

Yes, most of our microcrystalline waxes are certified by FDA regulation 178.3710 for use with food products. 

What packaging and delivery options are available?

We can supply microcrystalline wax in granule, pellet, slabs or liquid bulk form, to suit your needs and in whatever quantity you require. Most bulk orders ship within 1-3 business days. 

Can I request a custom formulation or technical support?

Absolutely! We are pleased to offer a comprehensive custom formulation service to provide you with the perfect wax products for your needs, as well as robust technical support to ensure you have all the information you need. Get in touch to start the conversation about how we can help.

Is it “microcrystalline” or “micro crystalline” wax?

While “micro crystalline wax” (two words) may occasionally appear in informal writing, the standard and technically correct spelling in manufacturing, specification sheets, and product labeling is microcrystalline wax.

What are the primary benefits of microcrystalline wax in formulations?

Microcrystalline wax provides flexibility, high oil retention, strong binding properties, moisture resistance, and improved texture control. Its fine crystal structure supports smooth finishes and enhanced adhesion in blends and coatings.

Can microcrystalline wax be blended with other waxes?

Yes. Microcrystalline wax is frequently blended with paraffin, plant-derived waxes, and specialty additives to modify melt point, hardness, flexibility, and surface performance.

Connect with IGI to request a quote for microcrystalline wax, review technical documentation, or speak with our team about the ideal melt point, hardness, and format for your process. We’ll help you move quickly from selection to shipment, with most orders shipping within 1-3 business days.

Request a Quote