What is the difference between white candle wax CA60 and paraffin wax?

In South Africa, candle makers have several options when selecting the right wax for their candle range. Generally, the most affordable choices are paraffin wax, white candle wax(CA60) and Sasol’s M3B  —in that order.

While paraffin wax remains a good choice, white candle wax has become a popular choice for makers looking to create opaque white, long-burning candles. However, there is often confusion regarding how these two waxes differ and how those differences impact the final product.

Let’s break down the science and performance of these two popular options.

Understanding the Basics of Candle Wax

Fully refined paraffin wax is a highly purified derivative of petroleum. It is characterized by a low oil content (typically less than 0.5%), a white and odourless appearance, and a glossy finish. It typically has a high melting point (58/60°C) and is primarily composed of straight-chain hydrocarbons.

White Candle Wax (CA60) is a synthetic wax, produced through a process that transforms syngas into liquid hydrocarbons. This specific wax has a melting point of 64°C. White candle wax is known for its high purity and uniform structure. Because this wax is synthesized, it is virtually free of sulfur, nitrogen, and aromatic hydrocarbons.

The Manufacturing Process: Refining vs. Synthesizing

The performance of any wax—from how it holds fragrance to how it burns—is determined by its origin.

• Paraffin Wax is the result of meticulously purifying a complex natural resource (crude oil).

• White Candle Wax (CA60) is the result of precise chemical construction.

This distinction between refining and synthesizing is the root cause of their divergent properties in candle manufacturing.

Core Properties Compared

Molecular Structure and crystallinity

The performance of a wax is governed by how its molecules arrange themselves in a solid state, known as crystallinity (refers to the degree of structural order within a solid material).

• Paraffin Wax: This wax has a more varied and less defined crystalline structure. This less ordered arrangement contributes to paraffin’s excellent ability to “trap” and incorporate fragrance oils.

• White Candle Wax CA60: In contrast, white candle wax is defined by a highly linear molecular structure. This significantly higher degree of crystallinity provide its signature properties: superior hardness and a stable melting point of 64°C.

Structural Integrity and Appearance

• Paraffin Wax: The best choice for freestanding candles like pillars, votives, and dinner candles. It typically produces a smooth finish and is known for its ability to blend with dyes to make vibrant true colors.

• White Candle Wax CA60: This wax is explicitly marketed for candle making and is the best choice for silicone candle moulds. A key benefit is its smooth opaque white appearance, which gives candles a premium look right out of the mold.

Burn Characteristics: Rate and Soot

• Paraffin Wax: Known for a consistent and steady burn. As a highly purified fuel, it burns cleanly. It is a common misconception that paraffin wax is “dirty” or “toxic”.  In a paraffin candle, sooting is usually caused by drafts or an incorrect wick size rather than the wax itself.

• White Candle Wax CA60: Its exceptional purity provides an extraordinarily clean, low-soot burn. Because it is harder and has a melting point of 64°C, it often offers a slightly longer burn time than standard paraffin wax.

The Science of Scent: Fragrance Load and Throw

This is where the two waxes differ most significantly:

• Paraffin Wax: It can support a high fragrance load (typically 6–10%) and provides a powerful “hot throw”—the release of fragrance from the melt pool.

• White Candle Wax CA60:  Its highly crystalline structure makes fragrance blending more challenging. You should not assume that white candle wax will behave like paraffin wax; its fragrance performance is variable and requires extensive testing.  Try Candle Deli’s wax testing kit if you’d like to test this wax in a silicone candle mould, optionally adding a fragrance oil.

Which should you choose?

Choose Fully Refined Paraffin Wax when:

• Maximizing scent throw is the priority: For candles where a powerful “scent payoff” is the main selling point, paraffin wax remains the industry benchmark.

• Cost-effectiveness is key: As a widely available commodity, paraffin wax is generally more economical for large-scale production.

Choose White Candle Wax when:

• A premium finish is paramount:  If you using silicone moulds, the flawless white, high-gloss finish is a standout feature.

• A clean, slow burn is a selling point: The purity and high melting point contribute to a long, clean burn.

• Product consistency is critical: Because it is synthetic, white candle wax provides a level of batch-to-batch reliability that is difficult to achieve with refined natural products.

Where does soy wax fit into this?

While paraffin and white candle wax are the top choices for South African chandlers, soy wax has carved out a niche for itself. It is a vegetable wax made from triglycerides (fats) in hydrogenated soybean oil. When you look past the marketing, the technical differences between these waxes are significant.

The burn time debate: marketing vs. reality

It is a common claim that soy wax burns longer than paraffin wax. Scientifically, this is attributed to its complex triglyceride structure and lower thermal conductivity, which should result in a slower burn.

However, in practice, density and wicking play a massive role. Soy wax has a lower density (0.86) compared to paraffin wax (0.90). Because soy wax is more viscous than paraffin wax, it needs a larger wick to prevent tunneling. A larger wick creates a bigger flame, which can consume the wax just as fast as a well made paraffin wax candle.

Core Properties Compared

Feature	Soy Wax	Fully Refined Paraffin	CA60
Origin	Plant-based (Soybeans)	Petroleum-refined	Synthetic
Density (Solid)	0.86	0.90	~0.91
Melting Point	50°C – 52°C	58/60°C	64°C
Best For	Container candles	Pillars, votives, & jars	Pillars & moulded candles
Appearance	Creamy, matte (frosting)	Translucent (marbling)	Flawless white

Feature	Soy Wax	Fully Refined Paraffin	CA60
Fragrance blending	Excellent (blends well)	Moderate	Lower
Cold Throw	Very Strong	Moderate	Subtle
Hot Throw	Subtle	Powerful	Powerful