HP wax is a hard paraffin wax grade solid at room temperature that melts above roughly 40°C, used in candle making, wax blending and cosmetics formulation. Buyers should verify congealing point (ASTM D938), oil content (ASTM D721) and melting point (ASTM D87) before ordering, and match the grade to their process. BHD Group supplies paraffin wax as part of its wax range alongside petroleum jelly and slack wax, through its BHD Chemical and BHD Sourcing divisions.
HP wax is a hard paraffin wax grade used across candle making, wax blending and industrial coating. It is solid at room temperature and melts above roughly 40°C without decomposing, per the European Wax Federation. Buyers researching HP wax usually want three things: the right grade, a clear price driver, and a supplier who can deliver on spec.
Who this hp wax guide is for
This page serves three readers. Candle manufacturers need a grade that pours, sets and burns predictably. Wax distributors and blenders need consistent congealing points batch to batch. Procurement teams need to know what to check before signing a purchase order. Each section below answers one of these questions directly.
What is HP wax?
Paraffin waxes, including HP-type grades, are composed mainly of straight-chain saturated hydrocarbons with 18 to 36 carbon atoms, according to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. This chain length is what gives paraffin wax its melting behavior and hardness. Waxes of this type fall under Harmonized System code HS 3404 for customs and trade purposes (European Wax Federation, undated).
HP wax applications: candles
The waxes family is used to make pillar candles, serving the candles industry. This covers economy and utility candles, container candles, and grave, church and mourning candles. Buyers in this segment usually specify paraffin grades such as HP3, M3 or UL2 by their melt-point and hardness profile, and match the grade to their pour method and mold type.
HP wax applications: cosmetics and blending
The waxes family is also used to make cosmetic creams and balms, serving the cosmetics and personal care industry. Formulators here care about consistent congealing point and oil content, since both affect texture and stability. Distributors buying for resale often blend paraffin with slack wax for packaging wax or textile-yarn paraffin, adjusting the blend to the end use.
How HP wax varieties differ
Wax varieties differ mainly in melting point, oil content and hardness. A higher melting point suits hot climates and thicker pours. Lower oil content generally means a harder, more opaque wax, which candle makers prize for container candles. None of these differences are marketing claims — they are measurable properties, tested against recognized standards.
Standards buyers should recognize
| Standard | What it measures | Why a buyer checks it |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D938 | Congealing point of petroleum waxes, including petrolatum (ASTM International, 2025) | Confirms the wax sets at the temperature the application needs |
| ASTM D721 | Oil content of petroleum waxes with a congealing point at or above 30°C (ASTM International, 2017) | Oil content under 15% affects hardness and clarity |
| ASTM D87 | Melting point of petroleum wax by cooling curve (ASTM International, undated) | Confirms the wax matches its stated melt-point grade |
| ISO 12524 | Melting characteristics of petrolatums and high viscosity waxes (ISO, undated) | Useful cross-check alongside ISO 3841 and ISO 2207 |
How to apply HP wax correctly
Correct application starts with matching the grade to the process. Container candle makers generally want a lower congealing point for a smooth top; pillar candle makers want higher hardness to hold shape unmolded. Wax should be melted gradually and handled with heat-insulating gloves and safety goggles, since molten paraffin wax is combustible (IPCS INCHEM, 2003). Blenders should verify congealing point per batch using ASTM D938 before committing wax to a production run.
What factors influence the price of HP wax
Wax pricing tracks feedstock costs, refining depth and demand from candle and blending markets. A harder, lower-oil-content grade typically costs more to produce than a softer grade with higher oil content. Buyers comparing hp wax pricing across suppliers should also weigh freight, minimum order volumes and lead time, not price per ton alone. This page makes no specific price claim, since pricing is quote-specific and changes with feedstock markets.
Where to source HP wax reliably
Reliable sourcing means a supplier who names the grade, states origin, and can produce test data against ASTM or ISO methods on request. Turkish-origin paraffin wax is one origin buyers evaluate for candle and blending supply chains. BHD Group supplies paraffin wax, petroleum jelly and slack wax as part of its wax range, alongside carbon black, rubber process oils and other industrial materials through BHD Chemical and BHD Sourcing.
What to check before you order
- Confirm the specific grade name (for example HP3, M3 or UL2) matches your process
- Ask for congealing point data tested to ASTM D938
- Ask for oil content data tested to ASTM D721, especially for grades near 15% oil
- Confirm melting point by ASTM D87 or an equivalent cooling-curve method
- Check the safety data sheet for combustibility and handling guidance
- Clarify minimum order quantity, packaging and lead time against your production schedule
- Confirm the origin of the wax and ask for a certificate of analysis per batch
- Compare hp wax vs other grades on total delivered cost, not price per ton alone
Quick facts
- Paraffin waxes are solid at 20°C and melt above roughly 40°C without decomposing (European Wax Federation)
- Paraffin wax molecules typically contain 18 to 36 carbon atoms in a straight chain (BSEE)
- ASTM D721 applies to waxes containing no more than 15% oil
- Long-term studies found petroleum-derived paraffin and microcrystalline waxes non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, supporting a group ADI "not specified" (WHO/FAO JECFA)
- Molten paraffin wax is combustible and requires heat-insulating gloves and safety goggles when handled (IPCS INCHEM)
HP wax comparison: what to weigh
An hp wax comparison across suppliers or grades should weigh four things together: melting point, oil content, hardness and delivered cost. A candle maker choosing between paraffin grades for container candles versus pillar candles will land on different specifications for each. A cosmetics formulator will weigh congealing-point consistency over hardness. There is no single "best" grade — only the grade that fits the application.
Working with BHD Group
BHD Group operates two divisions, BHD Chemical and BHD Sourcing, as one accountable house. We supply paraffin wax, petroleum jelly and slack wax as part of our wax range, and carbon black, rubber process oils, polymers and industrial chemicals across our wider catalogue. We state grade, origin and lead time plainly, and we work to be dependable by nature — on spec and on time, delivered at scale. If you are evaluating HP wax for a candle, blending or industrial application, contact BHD Group to discuss your specification.
Sources
- European Wax Federation (undated) — Definition/Type — What is Wax? — wax.org
- US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (undated) — Petroleum wax types — bsee.gov
- ASTM International (2025) — ASTM D938-25 — astm.org
- ASTM International (2017) — ASTM D721-17 — astm.org
- ASTM International (undated) — ASTM D87 — astm.org
- ISO (undated) — ISO standard on melting characteristics — iso.org
- IPCS INCHEM (2003) — ICSC 1457, Paraffin Wax — inchem.org
- WHO/FAO JECFA, via IPCS INCHEM (undated) — Monograph on microcrystalline wax and paraffin wax — inchem.org
Frequently asked questions
What is HP wax and what are its applications?
HP wax is a hard paraffin wax grade, solid at 20°C and melting above roughly 40°C (European Wax Federation, undated). The waxes family it belongs to is used to make pillar candles for the candles industry, and cosmetic creams and balms for the cosmetics and personal care industry.
What are the differences between HP wax varieties?
Varieties differ mainly in melting point, oil content and hardness. A higher melting point suits hotter conditions and thicker pours. Lower oil content, tested under ASTM D721, generally gives a harder, more opaque wax favored for container candles.
How to apply HP wax correctly?
Match the grade to your process, melt it gradually, and handle it with heat-insulating gloves and safety goggles, since molten paraffin wax is combustible (IPCS INCHEM, 2003). Blenders should confirm congealing point per batch using ASTM D938 before running production.
What factors influence the price of HP wax?
Price tracks feedstock cost, refining depth and demand from candle and blending markets, with harder, lower-oil-content grades generally costing more. Freight, minimum order volume and lead time also affect total delivered cost, so compare pricing on that basis rather than price per ton alone.
Where can HP wax be purchased reliably?
Buy from a supplier who names the grade, states origin, and can provide test data against ASTM or ISO methods on request. BHD Group supplies paraffin wax, petroleum jelly and slack wax as part of its wax range through BHD Chemical and BHD Sourcing.
Why buyers work with BHD Group
Two divisions operate under a single accountable house. There is no handoff between a trading desk and a sourcing desk that leaves a buyer chasing an answer — one team owns the order from enquiry to delivery.
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