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Sunflower seed wax is derived from Helianthus annuus seeds. During vegetable oil production (cold press or solvent extraction followed by refining), waxy constituents present in seeds concentrate in the crude oil’s high-melting fraction and are removed during winterization and clarification steps. The wax fraction is collected and then refined to produce a commercial sunflower wax.
CAS number(s): commonly reported as 1286686-34-7 (many supplier SDS/TDS) and also seen in the literature / databases as 68937-99-5 for Helianthus annuus seed cera / sunflower wax.
Synonyms / trade names: Sunflower wax; Sunflower seed wax; Helianthus annuus seed cera; Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax
Industrial recovery and refinement
Winterization / cooling & filtration: crude sunflower oil is cooled to allow high-melting components (waxes) to crystallize and be filtered out (winterization).
Solvent / molecular distillation (in some processes) and bleaching / decolorization produce refined sunflower wax with low residual oil and reduced odor.
Hydrogenation / fractionation is rarely used compared to other vegetable waxes; instead, mechanical and filtration refinement produce grades with different monoester distributions.
Supplier processes can yield monoester-rich products (narrow carbon distribution C₃₆–C₄₈) ideal for cosmetic hardness control.
hemical composition and structure
Major classes
Sunflower seed wax is a complex mixture dominated by:
Wax esters (monoesters) — esters of long-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty alcohols (major fraction, typically C₃₈–C₅₄). These define hardness and melting behavior.
Free fatty acids (12–16%) — long-chain saturated acids.
Long-chain fatty alcohols (≈11–13%) — saturated alcohols contribute to structure.
Hydrocarbons / sterols / steryl esters — minor, but relevant for melting profile and oxidation stability.
Representative molecules
Examples of wax ester constituents reported in sunflower wax research include esters formed from stearic, palmitic, and long odd/even very-long-chain acids with C₁₆–C₂₈ alcohols — practical distributions produce monoesters with combined carbon numbers in the high 30s to mid-50s.
These long carbon chains (saturated) give a high melting point and crystalline hardness.
Physicochemical metrics
Melting/softening point: typically ~75–78 °C (grade dependent).
Saponification value: typical range reported ~75–92 mg KOH/g (varies by grade and method).
Acid value / Free fatty acid content: usually low after refining, but measurable in crude wax.
Iodine value: generally low (reflecting saturation) though small variations occur with unsaturated components.
Analytical methods and quality control
Chromatographic approaches
GC–MS after transesterification of wax esters is the main technique for profiling fatty acid and alcohol distribution — enables identification of monoester carbon number distribution (C₃₈–C₅₄).
HPLC (normal phase) and GPC/SEC can be used for fractionation and molecular weight patterns.
GC with FID for quantification of hydrocarbons and free fatty acids (after derivatization).
Spectroscopic and thermal methods
FT-IR: identifies major functional groups (ester C=O stretch, CH stretches).
DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry): provides precise melting / crystallization profile and polymorphism behavior vital for formulators.
Physicochemical tests
Saponification value, acid value, iodine value: classical lipid tests used for specification and batch control.
Melting point / softening point / needle penetration: measure hardness and suitability for sticks/bars.
Functional properties and formulation behavior
Rheology & microstructure
The predominance of long-chain saturated monoesters yields crystalline networks that function as gellants in oil phases.
Sunflower wax produces hard crystalline lattices that increase viscosity, hardness, and melting point of lipid systems with lower loadings than beeswax.
Therefore, it is effective at low percentages to achieve stick hardness.
Emulsification and stabilization
While not a primary emulsifier, sunflower wax acts as a stabilizer and structuring agent in emulsions (W/O and O/W) due to its crystalline particles and high melting fraction — it helps prevent phase separation and improves product stability during temperature stress.
Lotioncrafter
Film forming & occlusivity
Like other vegetable waxes, sunflower wax forms a protective, hydrophobic film on skin surfaces, delivering occlusion that reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and imparts skin feel attributes (velvety, non-greasy depending on formulation).
This makes it valuable in balms and barrier creams.
Compatibility and replacement potential
Sunflower wax can replace or partially substitute beeswax, candelilla, rice wax, and some carnauba fractions — often used in vegan formulations to mimic beeswax hardness. Its hardness is generally greater than beeswax, meaning lower usage levels are needed to achieve similar structural effects.
Applications (detailed)
Cosmetics and personal care (primary market)
Lipsticks & lip balms: as a hardener and gloss modifier (typical usage 5–30%, depending on desired hardness).
Deodorant sticks & solid perfumes: structural agent and release modifier.
Lotion bars & solid conditioners: high melting point contributes to room temperature stability & skin occlusion.
Creams & ointments: stabilizer and texture modifier (small % to adjust rheology).
Hair pomades / waxes: hold and film formation.
Candles & technical uses
Used as a natural wax in candle blends to improve hardness and burn consistency as a beeswax or paraffin substitute in specialty candles.
Pharmaceutical & topical formulations
As an excipient in topical sticks/ointments, where plant-derived, non-animal waxes are desired. Also used to modulate release in some topical delivery systems.
Food & other niche uses
While not a mainstream food glazing wax, refined plant waxes occasionally find limited use in specialty coatings; regulatory status depends on jurisdiction and purity grade.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT SUNFLOWER SEED WAX
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
