Detailed Manufacturing Process of Soy Wax

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Step-by-Step Production Methodology

1. Soybean Cultivation and Harvesting

• Primary soybean growing regions: United States (33%), Brazil (31%), Argentina (19%)
• Average crop yield: 2.7 metric tons per hectare
• Predominantly genetically modified (GM) crops to increase resistance and yield

2. Initial Oil Extraction

Mechanical Extraction Method:

• Cold-pressed technique used for small-scale production
• Yields approximately 15-20% oil from raw soybeans
• Preserves more natural properties but less economically efficient

Solvent Extraction Method (Industrial Standard):

• Uses hexane, a petroleum-based solvent
• Extraction efficiency: 95-98% oil recovery
• Process steps:
  1. Cleaning and dehulling soybeans
  2. Cracking and conditioning beans
  3. Hexane percolation to separate oil
  4. Solvent recovery through distillation

3. Oil Refinement

Degumming Process:

• Removes phospholipids and other impurities
• Uses phosphoric acid or citric acid
• Involves water washing and centrifugation

Neutralization:

• Removes free fatty acids
• Uses sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
• Creates soap stock as a byproduct

4. Hydrogenation Transformation

Molecular Restructuring:

• Converts liquid soybean oil to solid wax
• Hydrogen gas introduction under high pressure
• Catalyst metals: nickel, palladium, or platinum
• Temperature range: 140-180°C
• Converts unsaturated fats to saturated fats

5. Bleaching and Deodorization

Bleaching Process:

• Removes color pigments
• Uses bleaching earth (activated clay)
• Adsorbs color compounds and residual impurities

Deodorization:

• Eliminates volatile compounds
• Steam distillation at 230-260°C
• Removes natural soybean odors

6. Additives and Final Formulation

Potential Additives:

• Vybar polymer for hardness
• Stearic acid for melting point stability
• UV inhibitors
• Fragrance stabilizers

Environmental Considerations in Manufacturing

• Energy consumption: 15-20 kWh per ton of wax
• Water usage: Approximately 5-7 cubic meters per ton
• Carbon emissions: Estimated 2.5-3.2 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of wax

  The Truth About Soy Wax: Not as Eco-Friendly as You Think

  At Scented Touch Shop, we believe in transparency about our product development journey. Today, we’re diving into our experience with soy wax and why we ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit for our premium candle and wax melt collections.

  The Manufacturing Process of Soy Wax

  Soy wax production is far more complex than many consumers realize. Contrary to popular belief, soy wax is not a purely natural product. The manufacturing process involves several chemical interventions:

  1. Soybean Extraction: Soybeans are processed using hexane, a petroleum-based solvent, to extract the oil.
  2. Hydrogenation: The extracted oil undergoes hydrogenation, a chemical process that transforms unsaturated fats into saturated fats, changing the oil’s molecular structure.
  3. Additives and Bleaching: Additional chemicals are used to refine and bleach the wax, ensuring a clean, white appearance.

  Performance Issues We Encountered

  During our extensive testing, we discovered significant performance problems with soy wax:

  • Incomplete Melting: Soy wax melts consistently failed to fully liquefy in wax burners, leaving solid edges and creating an uneven fragrance release.
  • Poor Scent Throw: The wax’s composition resulted in weak fragrance distribution, disappointing our quality standards.

  Environmental Considerations

  While marketed as “eco-friendly,” soy wax production raises several environmental concerns:

  • Large-scale soybean farming contributes to deforestation
  • Chemical processing negates much of the supposed environmental benefit
  • Significant water and energy consumption during manufacturing

  References and Further Reading

  1. USDA Soybean Processing Report
  2. Environmental Impact of Soy Production
  3. Chemical Processing in Wax Manufacturing

  At Scented Touch Shop, we’re committed to finding truly sustainable and high-performance alternatives that don’t compromise on quality or environmental responsibility.

   

Scented Touch Shop

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