Beyond carnauba: Clariant’s reliable bio-based wax for resilient printing inks and premium applications
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Delivering on Clariant's purpose »Greater chemistry - between people and planet.«
This story is an example of how Clariant delivers on its purpose-led strategy.
How can you achieve flawless aesthetics and high-performance functionality in inks and coatings while meeting the world's demands for greater sustainability, transparency and supply chain resilience?
For decades, carnauba wax and its blends, often combined with polymers, have been the trusted choice for delivering high-quality finishes in printing inks and packaging. However, as a natural, seasonal material, carnauba wax is subject to unpredictable supply fluctuations that are increasingly challenging production schedules, particularly in the US market where tariffs are further exacerbating availability and costs.
The pressure is now on manufacturers and formulators to urgently find reliable, high-performing and sustainable alternatives. This growing uncertainty is driving a wave of innovation, unlocking new bio-based solutions that meet performance demands while reducing environmental impact and sourcing risk.
Advancing wax technology with rice bran wax compound
This market situation highlights the critical importance of reliable, high-quality, bio-based alternatives such as Ceridust™ 1310, which can help businesses maintain performance and continuity amid economic and regulatory pressures. Ceridust 1310, a bio-based wax compound, that comes in the form of micronized rice bran wax and achieves a melting point of over 120°C and excellent rub resistance. It encourages the potential of rice bran wax to offer greater consistency, and Clariant is working to strengthen this further
»It's about expanding formulation options with a reliable, bio-based alternative to help ensure consistent quality despite market fluctuations.«
Simon Bodendorfer,
Application Development Manager of Coatings and Inks.
From field to formulation
Ceridust 1310 is a high-performance wax additive based on a carefully selected blend that includes rice bran wax: a renewable, non-food-competing byproduct of agriculture. Designed to meet modern formulation needs, it offers a reliable combination of sustainability, consistency, and process efficiency, helping formulators reduce variability and enhance the environmental profile of coatings and inks.
Ceridust 1310 ensures stable, batch-to-batch quality that supports consistent performance and minimizes material waste. With its renewable content, it contributes to reducing reliance on fossil-based materials.
Applications across premium printing and packaging
The versatility of these new wax technologies makes them suitable for many high-end uses where appearance and performance matter:
- Premium packaging with matte finishes
The matting properties create the elegant, understated look luxury brands expect. Consistent quality ensures packaging meets strict standards across batches.- Glossy magazines
For publications that demand sharp images and durability, these additives offer excellent rub resistance at low doses (0.2–1%), protecting vibrant visuals while keeping production efficient.- Specialty labels
Labels need to withstand handling, shipping, and various environments while staying visually appealing. Advanced waxes provide durability without sacrificing look.- Water-based topcoats
As the industry shifts toward water-based systems, these waxes perform well in formulas that require strong scuff resistance and clarity.
Easy to formulate, easier to adopt
Transitioning to new additives doesn’t have to mean reworking entire formulations or disrupting production. Ceridust 1310 is designed for easy integration. It works effectively in common systems at low dosage levels (0.2–1% for printing inks and up to 4% for coatings). Its compatibility allows formulators to adopt it gradually, replacing carnauba or synthetic waxes without significant changes to existing processes while gaining flexibility and sustainability benefits.
What’s next?
Bio-based wax additives are part of a bigger shift in the industry. Rather than simply replacing old ingredients with new ones, Clariant is continuously developing smarter solutions that perform well, are more sustainable than fossil-based alternatives and can be produced on a large scale. For formulators seeking control, supply security and stronger environmental alignment, the future isn’t about compromise; it's about achieving greater chemistry.
