Beeswax: History, Uses, Trade

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Beeswax: History, Uses and Trade
Stefan Bogdanov
BEESWAX USE IN THE PAST
History of beeswax use
The old Egyptians used beeswax when embalming, for mummification of their pharaohs and for retaining the
permanency of wig curls, for preserving the papyrus scrolls and to protect paintings. The wrappings of
Egyptian mummies contained beeswax
7
. Beeswax was mentioned in 32 prescriptions, given in a papyrus,
compiled in Egypt about 1550 BC
18
The ancient Persians used wax to embalm the dead, while the ancient Romans modelled death masks and
life-size effigies from beeswax. The world mummy derives from a Persian word meaning wax
In ancient times beeswax was used as an adhesive to join two
surfaces together.
The ancient Greek legend of the Athenian, the architect Daedalus
(Dedalos),is remembered because he and his son Icarus tried to
escape from the island Crete, made themselves wings of bird
feathers, which they fastened to their bodies with beeswax. Flying
too high, Ikaros had the wax which held it's wings to his body,
melt, and he plunged into the Aegean Sea, drowning. His father
flew at a lower height and made it safely to Athens, where he built
a temple to honour Apollo.
The ancient god, Pan, guardian of bees, invented a musical instrument, Pan's Pipes, by joining reeds together
with beeswax, and blowing through them to make music. The great Greek physician, Discorides, wrote of
rolling beeswax into sheets which was then used to make artificial flowers. Ancient jewellers and artisans
knew how to form delicate objects from wax and cast them later in precious metals. Colours of ancient wall
paintings and icons contain beeswax which has remained unchanged for more than 2000 years
9
(Birshtein et
al., 1976).
The Greek-Roman doctor Galen, 2
nd
AC used beeswax in a cooling ointment. The famous Iranian physician
Avicenne, 10
th
century AC, recommended beeswax for medicine.
According to
45
“in China’s most famous medicine book “The Shen Nong Book of Herbs”, 1-2
nd
century BC,
beeswax was recognised as a top medicinal ingredient. It is praised for its beneficial influence on blood and
energy systems and the overall balance of the body. The author attributes beauty enhancement and anti-aging
properties to beeswax. Combined with other ingredients it is applied on the skin for treating wounds and as a
health food for dieting. Many recipes are given is this authoritative source of traditional Chinese medicine.
Ge Hong (about 284-364, Jin dynasty) and Sun Simiao (581-682) recommend 'beeswax therapy1, i.e. a heat
treatment of skin areas with cloths impregnated with molten beeswax. Liu Yuxi in 841 gives a detailed
description of beeswax therapy more than 1000 years earlier than the paraffin wax therapy from the
Frenchman Barthe de Sandford (1909). "The Sages Prescriptions", edited by the Song Dynasty Imperial
Hospital (992), mentions diet therapy, health-improvement and anti-aging prescriptions containing honey,
beeswax and honeycomb”.
Candles of beeswax were used already by the ancient Egyptians, ancient Greece, Rome and in old China
19
It
was introduced in churches since the beginning of Christianity in Europe. Since 4AC it is required by the
Roman Catholic Church that only beeswax candle should be used in the church. This law is still valid but no
longer 100 % beeswax is required, the percentage varies according to the local Episcopal instruction between
5 and 50 %.

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Beeswax was used for making of figures and cult objects in ancient Egypt. In regions with stingless bees
stingless-beeswax figures were made in different South American countries and in Australia
19
.
Beeswax was an important ingredient of ancient seals
19
. At the beginning pure beeswax was used and only
later resin and colour were added .
In ancient Egypt beeswax was used for writing tablets, the oldest known being from around 1300 BC
19
. The
use of writing tablets continued until after the Middle Ages in Europe.
The production and selling of beeswax and beeswax candles was a good business until the introduction of
paraffin wax in the 19
th
century. Nowaday beeswax has lost its exclusiveness, but it remains the most
expensive of all natural waxes.
Theories about the origin of beeswax during the ages
The Greek philosopher Aristoteles wrote between 344 and 342 B.C. that
beeswax originates in the flowers. This theory which was supported by the
Roman apiculturists and writers Varro (116 to 27 B.C.) and Pliny, the Elder
(23 to 79 A.D.). This theory predominated until the Renaissance.
Swammmerdam wrote in 1673 that wax was prepared by bees from pollen.
In 1684 Martin John observed for the first time wax scales. In 1744 the
German scientist Hornbostel
25
reported that bees themselves produce the
wax. This report was not considered by the scientific community until the
publications by Hunter in 1792
27
and in 1814 by Huber
26
. Hunter noted and
that bees secrete wax and build combs, and also, that newly built combs are
white. He observed that bees do not need pollen to make wax. The views of Hunter were expanded by
Huber, who proposed that sugar is needed to produce wax. In 1903 the process of wax synthesis was
described in detail by Dreyling
21
.
While in early times beeswax was the only available wax, with time man learned to produce other waxes
from plant animal and lately also of synthetic origin.
Beeswax as ingredient of artistic materials
Batik art
Beeswax is used in the batik art . The word " batik " is of Indonesian origin, where batik
art was invented. Evidence of early examples of batik have been found in the Far East,
Middle East, Central Asia and India from over 2000 years ago. It is conceivable that
these areas developed independently, without the influence from trade or cultural
exchanges. However, it is more likely that the craft spread from Asia to the islands of the
Malay Archipelago and west to the Middle East through the caravan route. Batik was

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practised in China as early as the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618). These were silk batiks and these have also
been discovered in Nara, Japan in the form of screens and ascribed to the Nara period (AD 710-794). It is
probable that these were made by Chinese artists. They are decorated with trees, animals, flute players,
hunting scenes and stylised mountains. Indonesia, most particularly the island of Java, is the area where batik
has reached the greatest peak of accomplishment. The Dutch brought Indonesian craftsmen to teach the craft
to Dutch warders in several factories in Holland from 1835. With this method colour is introduced into
fabric. Portions of the cloth, covered with wax resist the dyes. When the dyeing process is complete the wax
is removed by heat. Batik is still used all over the world. Different books on batik can be found on the
market.
Ancient Indonesian batik
Ancient Chinese batik
Lost wax casting
Figures containing beeswax survived in royal Egyptian tombs dating from 3400 BC
16
.Throughout history it
has been used in commerce and business as a document seal. One of the most important uses of beeswax was
in “cire-perdue”, or lost wax casting
15
,
20
. This method is very old and was known in different old high
cultures as the Summerians, India, China, Egypt. Many of the world’s most famous statues were produced
using the lost-wax casting process. The object to be cast in metal is first sculptured in wax. It was then
coated with clay and hardened by heat, thus melting the wax. Molten metal is then poured into the clay
model. This technique requires a lot of metal. Less metal is required if a core of removable material is coated
heavily with wax in which the image is engraved. The whole is then coated with clay, dried, the wax melted
out and the metal poured in.
Ancient India
Ancient Nepal
Africa, 17 C

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Ancient Peru
Charles V
Fountain lion, old Italy
Old lost wax sculptures and figures
Bronze preservation
Bronze statues should be coated twice a year with a solution consisting of 1/3 pound of pure beeswax
dissolved in one quart of pure pine turpentine. This solution is to be brushed over the statue in a swirling
motion, using round semi-stiff hair brushes. Let solution dry for 24 hours, then rub lightly with a felt, velvet
or wool pad, to paint only the high points of the statue so as to leave the depressions with a shadow effect.
Care must be taken to apply the solution to the statue only when the statue is dry.
The sculptures of Madam Tussaud's
The sculptures of Madam Tussaud's in London and now in other countries, too, are widely known and copied
in many countries. In the museum, famous people are copied in wax and dressed as life-sized figures. A
mixture of three parts beeswax and one part of a harder wax are used
46
Modelling in wax, or ceroplasty is a
well developed art used also for scientific models in important collections around the world
4
During the last
century, wax flower modelling was apparently popular in Europe. A bibliography on wax modellers,
collections and history
43
by a handbook on sculpting with wax and plaster
38
have been published.
Encaustic painting
Beeswax is used also in encaustic painting. In this painting technique beeswax is a chief ingredient of the
colour, used by the artist. Encaustic painting was very popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Beeswax is melted with a resin and pigment and is then applied by heatable pallet. The colour application
should have been very quick, because dallying would lead to the wax re-solidifying on the brush, making it
impossible to apply as a paint. The finished paintings is durable and does not attract dust. Ancient encaustic
paintings can still be admired in museums, e.g. in the British museum. Encaustic painting was practiced by
Greek artists as far back as the 5th century B. C. Most of our knowledge of this early use comes from the
Roman historian Pliny, who wrote in the 1st century A. D.. Pliny seems to have had very little direct
knowledge about studio methods, so his account of techniques and materials is sketchy. According to Pliny,
encaustic was used in a variety of applications: the painting of portraits and scenes of mythology on panels,
the colouring of marble and terra cotta, and work on ivory (probably the tinting of incised lines).
For more informations, consult www.encausticart.com, http://beetree.se

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Roman encaustic painting 2-4 AC
Further reading:
12, 16, 19, 20, 23
BEESWAX USE AT PRESENT
Besides its use for foundations, which is probably the main use, wax is also used for following purposes:
cosmetics 25-30, pharmacy 25-30 %, candles: 20 % and other purposes: 10-20 %
17
.
Beeswax is often preserved in archaeological deposits and thus there are many witnesses for its early use
15
.
More details concerning the different uses of beeswax in past and present are given elsewhere
8
13, 14, 17, 20, 23,
24, 32, 35
.
Beeswax has been used in a variety of products and processes from packaging to processing and
preservation. It was used as a component of numerous applications in industrial technology: as components
of insulating materials, but all of the descriptions being published before 1981
49
. Many of these applications
could be accomplished with other, cheaper waxes. Since most of these processes involve large scale and
complicated production procedures, they are not described here.
The different uses of beeswax are summarised in the table below.
Application of beeswax for different product categories
after CBI, EU Market Survey, Honey and Beeswax, 2002, www.cbi.eu
Product category Products Characteristics
Candles Candles (poured into moulds or dipped) Solidity, slow burning, therapeutic
effect
Wax foundation Rolled and poured wax foundation
sheets Production increase of honey
Art Wax figures and statues Melting and moulding properties,
solidity and resistance against
melting
Sculptures
Metal castings, modelling, jewellery, lost
wax casting Plasticity, mouldability, melting
properties
Engraving Glass and metal engraving Protection against etching acid,
resist technique
Processed food Confectionery, bakery, packaging,
Coating of jellied sweets and liquorice Separation agent, preservation,
anti-sticking agent

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Product category Products Characteristics
Pharmaceuticals Drugs, pills, capsules, salve and
ointments Consistancy, binding agent, time
release mechanism, carrier of drug
Physiotherapy Compresses Warmth retaining capacity
Natural therapy Ear plugs Softness, impermeabilty
Cosmetics Creams, lotions, lipstick, mascara, eye
shadows, deodorants, hair creams,
depilatories, hair conditioners
Emollient and emulsifier.
Improvement of appearance,
consistency and sensitivity to
melting
Textiles Batik Waterproofing, paint resistant,
resist technique
Handicrafts Eco design Plastering agent for artisans
Musical instruments Flutes, didgeridoo, violins, drums Softness of mouth parts and
reduction of porosity
Varnishes and
polishes Paintings, art restoration, metal, wood
and leather treatment Protection, impermeability for air,
humidity and pests
Industrial products Anti-corrosion rust inhibitor, lubricants
Decrease viscosity, drawing agent,
prevention of corrosion
Beeswax can be used as a thickener of bio-degradable lubrication greases
31
Candles
Candles made of beeswax have been used by mankind in religious ceremonies since a very long time
20
.
Beeswax candles can be made by different methods: pouring, dipping, rolling, extruding, drawing and
pressing. The different methods of candle making are described in detail elsewhere
14
. Since beeswax has a
higher melting point than most paraffin waxes (most of which melt between 48 and 68
0
C) beeswax candles
remain straight at higher ambient temperatures.. Waxes with a melting point above 88
0
C do not perform well
during burning.
There are three methods of making candles: molding, dipping and rolling. Explanation of these techniques
are found elsewhere
13, 14
:
rolled candle molded candles

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dipped candles
molded beeswax figures with a rolled candle in the
middle and molded candles on the sides
Molding
Beeswax is molded in different shapes, modern ones are made of silicon. Many different shapes are supplied
with instructions how to make the candles under home conditions. Candles molded in silicon forms are easily
made. The candles can be taken out of the forms after hardening of the wax. Wax is liquefied easily by
placing the wax in a pot, situated in a water bath heated at 70 to 80
o
C. Making the candles before Christmas
when it is cold, forms can be placed in the open to speed up hardening. An alternative is placing the candles
for about half an hour in a freezer.
Dipping
Dipped candles are very appealing, but the technique is more difficult and labour intensive. It is great fun to
dip candles in a group or within the family.
Rolling
Rolling is a very easy way of making candles. Comb foundations are mostly rolled around a wick.
Foundations should be softened at about 25-30
o
C to increase plasticity.
Tips for optimal burning of a candle:
• beeswax candles burn significantly longer than paraffin candles
8
• For optimal and long duration of burning beeswax should be stored for at least an year in the freezer
• Thinner candles (until 24 mm) burn more constantly than thicker ones and build less smoke and
soot.
• Thicker candles can begin to soot after a certain time. In this case the wick should be shortened by
cutting it off with scissors. After extinguishing the fire the wick should be carefully placed in the
liquid wax, without damaging the edge of the candle. Before lightning these candles again cut off the
already burned part of the wick. These candles should burn for a longer time in order to prevent
worsening of the ration between the burnt wax and the burnt wick
• The first time you line burn your candle for one hour for every 2.5 cm of candle diameter. This will
allow the pool of wax to be extended and will prevent the building of a tunnel in the centre
• If wick size is correctly proportioned with respect to the diameter of the candle (information supplied
by the trading company), the beeswaxcandle is less likely to drip than candles made from other
materials.

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Homemade beeswax furnishes and polishes
Beeswax furniture furnish
Beeswax floor furnish
Leather furnish
5-6 parts of beeswax, 8 parts tallow and 8 parts neatsfoot oil
This is not a polish. It is a lotion that conditions and waterproofs smooth leather superbly. Heat ingredients
together to 160 degrees F. Mix thoroughly and pour into containers.
Wood polish (liquid or paste like)
a) 1.5 parts turpentine and 1 part beeswax or b) 4 parts beeswax, 2 parts turpentine, 1 part of orange,
lemon, coconut or lineseed oil. Grate beeswax into the turpentine. Add one of the oils and mix. Store
in labelled tins or bottles with tight fitting lids.
The ratio of solvent to beeswax determines whether this is a paste wax or a liquid polish. Other ingredients
are often added such as pigments, lemon oil, linseed oil, or tung oil. More volatile solvents can be added or
substituted to make a faster-drying, thinner polish Carnauba wax is often added to make a harder, shinier
finish.
Classically, on "raw" wood the paste polish is applied warm, so the turpentine soaks into the pores of the
wood and pulls some beeswax with it. Excess polish is brushed or scraped off. When dry, the resultant wax
film is polished with brisk rubbing.
Artists' varnish
3 parts turpentine and 1 part beeswax. Mix thoroughly. Wax varnish has a beautiful non-glossy sheen. It is
easy to remove from a painting or plaque without damaging the paint, though it yellows a little faster then
most other varnishes so you will have to clean your painting sooner (after ten to fifteen years). However, it
gives a period effect that is hard to duplicate with modern materials.
Detailed discussions and recipes for preparations with synthetic wax are presented by Jones
29
who also lists
reasons such as the formation of soft, easily marred films and a lack of availability, why natural beeswax is
increasingly being replaced by other waxes in polishes.
There is a variation in recipes, thus it is obvious that there are many ways of preparing a wood polish suitable
for particular application. Turpentine is the most commonly available natural solvent for wax, but other oils
may be substituted to avoid the rather strong odour of turpentine. Suitable alternatives are orange, lemon or
linseed oil, or other refined vegetable oils. The wax content can range from 5 to 50% and occasionally even
more. The consistency of the paste or oil may change, but can be corrected with appropriate adjustments in
the proportions of each ingredient, e.g. less oil or more wax if it is too liquid.
FOOD AND HEALTH
Cosmetics
Since ancient times, the basic recipe for creams and ointments has consisted of a mixture of beeswax and oil
in various proportions according to the desired consistency. Beeswax has an irritation potential of zero, and a
comedogenicity rating of 0 - 2, which means that when formulated and used correctly in cosmetic

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formulations, beeswax will not cause a problem or clog the pores, but brings a host of very positive
attributes, such as general healing and softening, as an antiseptic, and an emollient to cosmetic products.
Beeswax has unique characteristics, making it an ideal material for cosmetics:
 Builds stable immulsions, improves water binding of ointments and creams
 gives the skin a protective layer of a non-onclusive type, increasing the protective action of sun
creams, its elasticity and plasticity improve allow thinner films and provide a greater
permanence on skin and lips
 Improves soap function, gives a protective film on skin and improves its elasticity.
 Improves protective action of sun creams, does not provoke allergy.
 Has antibiotic and thermo-storing p roperties
 Does not provoke allergic reaction
 Desired effect can be achieved often by as little as 1 to 3 % beeswax
14
 It not only improves the appearance and consistency of creams and lotions but is also a
preferred ingredient for lipsticks, because it contributes to sheen, consistency and colour
stabilization
Other cosmetic applications are found in cold creams (8-12% beeswax content by weight), deodorants (up to
35 %), depilatories (hair removers, up to 50%), hair creams (5-10%), hair conditioners (1-3%), mascara (6-
12%), rouge (10-15%), eye shadows (6-20%) and others.
Traditionally, vegetable oils were used but they become rancid and limit the period for which such creams
can be used. Today, most plant oils have been replaced by mineral oils such as liquid paraffin or
preservatives are added. Selective use of vegetable oils from olives, corn, peanuts, jojoba, cacao, palms,
coconuts and others still continues, since many of their beneficial effects cannot be provided by synthetic
mineral oils.
In order to mix the otherwise incompatible beeswax and oils with water, all of which are essential
ingredients of any cream or lotion, an emulsifier has to be added. Borax is the classic emulsifier, available in
most pharmacies. Today's "high-chemistry" cosmetics use a large array of other synthetic emulsifiers. The
chemical process on which the emulsification is based is the saponification of the acids in beeswax, i.e. the
result is technically a soap. The associated cleansing effect is exploited in so-called cleansing creams, which
are very much like simple skin creams.
To remove the free acids from beeswax so that it no longer needs an emulsifier and can be easily mixed with
pigments and mineral products, a special process was developed and patented
11
Beeswax cosmetic products
Recipes for home made cosmetics
Skin cold creams

Add 5 parts of beeswax to 3 parts of coconut oil. Melt ingredients in separate heat-resistant
wide-mouth jars in a simmering pan of water, heated at about 70
o
C. Mix thoroughly. Place
the mixture jar in a pan of cool water and continue stirring. Transfer the cool cream into final
containers. The cream that is fairly solid when cold but will "melt" onto your hands as you rub
it in Ingredients other than coconut oil may be used. It is in this formula because it melts at skin
temperature. Olive oil is often mixed with beeswax to make a skin lotion.

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
1 part beeswax, 2 parts water, 3 parts oil, borax (5% to 6% of the beeswax used). Heat
beeswax and oil to 160 degrees F. Heat the borax and water to 70
o
C. Mix and stir. Perfumes
or essential oils should be added at 60
o
C, and the mixture should be stirred until it is 49
degrees hot when it should be poured in jars and allowed to cool.
The borax emulsifies the beeswax, sort of like making soap. Borax is alkali and it neutralizes
the fatty acids in beeswax when mixed, producing an oil-water emulsion cream-like in
consistency.
Cream against rough skin
Roughly equal parts of beeswax and olive oil melted together is all that has been needed for
centuries to make a salve that helps prevent and heal chapping and rough skin. Olive oil has been
mixed with beeswax for centuries, and is good for dry skin that needs to be softened. In modern times
odourless/colorless mineral oil has been mixed with beeswax to make a soft, flexible coating that is
not absorbed by the skin and repels water yet is removed easily with soap and water.
Lip balm
2 part shredded beeswax, 4 parts of coconut oil, 1 part glycerine (optional)
2 parts liquid honey, 4 drops of essential oil such as almond, peppermint, orange or lemon. Heat the
beeswax, coconut oil and glycerine to 70 degrees
o
C. Remove from heat. Add the honey and stir until
the mixture starts to thicken (about 60
o
C), then evenly add the essential oil while stirring and
continue to stir the mixture until cool. Pour into final containers (small screw-top balm jars) at
about 49 degrees and let set until completely cool.
Natural lip gloss
1 part of shredded beeswax, 2 parts oil of your choice, natural colouring as needed. Heat the beeswax and
oil to 70
o
C. For colour, add a natural vegetable colouring (like beet powder, raspberry or blackberry
juice). You will have to experiment with the right combination of wax oil and colour. Pour into final
containers and let set until completely cool. Package with a lipstick brush.
The part measures are mostly by weight. If mixtures are heated use hot water watch out: hot wax is
inflammable!
Food processing and apitherapy
Food processing
Beeswax is considered safe for human consumption and has been approved as an ingredient in human food
in the USA
48
It is inert, i.e. it does not interact with the human digestive system at all and passes through the
body unaltered. However, substances dissolved or encapsulated in wax are slowly released. This property is
exploited in many medicinal preparations. At the same time these properties can create a problem when wax
is stored near toxic chemicals and pesticides or after treatment with various drugs inside the hive. Any fat
soluble toxins can be absorbed and then released much later when the wax is consumed as food, used in
cosmetics or given to bees in the form of foundation sheets.
Beeswax is an authorised food preservative in the European Union under the name of E 901
22
as a glazing
agent on confectionery (excluding chocolate), small products of fine bakery wares coated with chocolate,
snacks, nuts and coffee beans and for the surface treatment only of certain 1 For citation purposes: Scientific
Opinion of the Panel on Food additives, Flavourings, Processing aids and fruits (fresh citrus fruits, melons,
apples, pears, peaches and pineapples). It is also permitted in food supplements and as a carrier for colours.
Consumption of 1290 g beeswax per person and day are permitted. A common, simple and small scale
application for beeswax is the protection of containers against the effects of acids from fruit juices or honey.
Indeed, steel drums for storage and shipment of honey have to be treated to prevent corrosion and dissolution
of iron. The treatment may involve an expensive food grade paint, a plastic liner made from a food grade
plastic film or a thin coat of beeswax.

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Apitherapy
Beeswax is the least allergenic bee product. There is only one report on skin allergy caused by beeswax
37
Beeswax has antibacterial properties
30, 34
and when applied to the skin improves its elasticity and makes it
look fresh and smooth. It is used for coating of drugs and pills, facilitates ingestion, but retards dissolution.
Beeswax can be mixed with the drug, thus retarding drug releasing. Beeswax can be chewed for
strengthening the gingival and to increasing saliva and stomach juices page 94 from
41
.
A mixture of beeswax, honey and olive oil can be successfully used against dermatitis, psoriasis
2
and also
against anal fissures and hemorrhoids
3
and against burns
40
It was found that oral administration of a mixture of 6 beeswax alcohols called D-002 (50 to 100 mg/day)
for 6 weeks may ameliorate arthritic symptoms meanwhile improve clinical evolution in patients with
osteoarthritis
42
The mixture was reported also to have effects both in joint health and in gastroprotection, as
reported in a 2015 review by Molina et al. tested both in animals and in clinical experiments with humans.
These activities are due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of this mixture
39
Warm beeswax has excellent warming properties when applied against inflammations of muscles, nerves and
joints. For this reason the Bulgarian medical doctor Pochinkova suggests that beeswax is the main bee
product to be used for thermo-therapy, see page 140 from
41
. For this purpose following application is
suggested applied after muscle, nerve and tendon inflammation due to colds, lumbago, neuritis, mialgitis,
arthosis, arthritis:
Dip a piece of soft cotton cloth, cut according to the size of the applied body part, into liquid beeswax. Lay
down to cool at an even place. Before use warm up, e.g. at a maximum of 50
o
C in an oven, and place on
body part, mostly overnight, cover with a scarf for insulation. The wax cloth can be used many times. Such
wax cloths are available at chemists or drug stores in some countries.

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Beeswax packing against small children’s cold are commercially available in some countries (e.g. Germany
and Switzerland)
ECONOMY AND TRADE
Beeswax economy and trade date from very early age Beeswax was traded already in old Greece and Rome.
The Romans demanded beeswax when they conquered Corsica in 181 BC
12
. In Medieval European times
wax was a unit of trade for taxes or other.
Different grades of wax are traded. The colour of beeswax will vary from light to medium and dark. Light
yellow beeswax, mild in odour is preferable. Bennet
6
devides wax into three grades. The first of these is
“crude, bleachable and non-bleachable, available in lumps and blocks”. The other two grades are white and
yellow waxes, both of which described in the Pharmacopoe
5
. Today, mainly two basic types of beeswax are
traded: pharmaceutical and cosmetic grade and a general application grade. Strahl and Pitch,the leading wax
refiners in the USA trade at present 6 cosmetic/pharmaceutical grades and 5 general use beeswax grades.
Beeswax from different countries has different properties, especially its readiness to bleach
14
. Nearly all
commercial wax produced is by Apis mellifera, while a substantial part of the wax in China is produced by A.
cerana.
It is difficult to obtain reliable figures on wax production, as the greater part of beeswax is used in
beekeeping for producing comb foundations. Of all bee products the economic importance of beeswax is
second after that of honey. It is estimated that its production is about 1.5 to 2.5 % of that of honey
17
. On the
basis of the assumption by FAO Comtrade statistics, that 1.19 million tons of honey were produced in 1991,
between 17,850 to 29,750 tons of wax was produced during the same period
28
. The major world producer is
China with an annual production of 6000 tons
36
.
According to Faostat in 2011 64,000 tons were produced in the world, Asia (mainly India) being the major
producer with 31,000 tons.
The same source cites following figures on the trade of beeswax: “In world trade statistics beeswax is
grouped with other insect waxes. Nevertheless, beeswax is a major component of insect waxes, and the trade
value can be safely assumed to be that of beeswax. Based on the information derived from COMTRADE data
base, total value of the insect waxes traded internationally during 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991 was 23.63,
23.27, 26.08 and 23.35 million US$, respectively. During 1992, major exporting countries were China
(14.9%), United Republic of Tanzania (11.4%), Germany (11.1%), Canada (7.0%), the Netherlands (6.3%),
Brazil (6.1%), Japan (5.7%), USA (4.8%) and Ethiopia (3.7%); collectively accounting for 71% of the total
trade volume in insect waxes. Australia, France, Chile, UK, Dominion Republic and New Zealand were
some of the minor origins”
While China is the main beeswax exporter according to FAOSTAT it does not appear on the same statistics
as a main beeswax producer.
According to a 2015 statistical report China as the main beeswax exporter, exported in 2014 11 000 tons,
Germany being the main buyer with 24 % of this production. During the same year the main beeswax buyers
were USA 21 %, Germany 27 % and France 10 % of the beeswax world imports
1

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World trade in beeswax for 2003, after
10
World trade in beeswax Export tons Import tons
World 10’336 11’949
Asia 5’213 1’995
Africa 795 258
Europe 2167 6’873
Biggest exporters and importers
China 4‘814 127
Dominican Republic 39 1
Ethiopia 402 1
France 495 1’243
Germany 919 2’363
Japan 89 713
Mexico 14 71
Portugal 10 32
Spain 113 336
United Kingdom 102 731
USA 1’097 2’195
Source: All data FAOSTAT, 2005, unless stated otherwise.
Top beeswax producing countries according to FAOSTAT (2011)
Rank
Area Production (MT) Production
($1000)
1 India 23000 215367
2 Ethiopia 5000 46818
3 Argentina 4700 44009
4 Turkey 4235 39655
5 Republic of Korea 3063 28683
6 Kenya 2500 23409
7 Angola 2300 21536
8 Mexico 1966 18409
9 Brazil 1850 17323
10 United Republic of Tanzania
1830 17135
11 Spain 1614 15113
12 United States of America 1600 14982
13 Uganda 1300 12172
14 Uruguay 1000 9363
15 Dominican Republic 960 8989
16 Central African Republic 775 7256
17 Chile 600 5618
18 Pakistan 462 4326
19 Greece 440 4120
20 France 420 3932

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Top beeswax exporting countries
according to FAOSTAT (2011)
Rank
Area Quantity (tonnes)
Value (1000 $)
1 China, mainland 8754 45873
2 Germany 1294 10135
3 United States of America 1743 7884
4 France 585 5339
5 Brazil 43 4952
6 Netherlands 618 4945
7 South Africa 473 4084
8 Malaysia 2806 3707
9 Canada 524 3040
10 Ethiopia 358 1905
11 Japan 116 1764
12 United Kingdom 161 1497
13 Australia 191 1458
14 Spain 238 1395
15 New Zealand 139 1028
16 Belgium 114 973
17 India 69 693
18 Egypt 172 491
19 Italy 56 340
20 China, Taiwan Province of
68 329
Top beeswax importing countries
according to FAOSTAT (2011)
Rank
Area Quantity (tonnes)
Value (1000 $)
1
Germany 3922 22355
2
United States of America
2340 13268
3
France 2873 10956
4
Japan 846 5023
5
United Kingdom 597 4142
6
Turkey 774 3825
7
Spain 668 3484
8
Italy 439 3463
9
Greece 652 2717
10
Canada 585 1938
11
Mexico 325 1901
12
Republic of Korea 217 1569
13
China, mainland 132 1437
14
Australia 241 1409
15
India 950 1315
16
Thailand 152 1232
17
Poland 146 1173
18
Switzerland 116 1046
19
Netherlands 150 1016
20
Iran 153 929

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Comtrade statistics have mixed refined/bleached wax and raw wax production data. However, there are no
other statistics sources which do this separation. The major exporting countries of raw beeswax for the same
year, and probably still at present are: China, Tanzania, Canada, Brazil and Ethiopia, together with Australia,
France, Chile, New Zealand and the Central African Republic
44
. In the main, beeswax exported from
Germany, the Netherlands, UK and USA is re-exported refined/bleached wax, produced out of the raw wax
of the above exporting countries
44
. The USA is a major raw beeswax supplier, consuming most of its own
production, being also a worldwide supplier of refined wax
44
.
According to the Comtrade statistics the price per ton beeswax in 1991 was 3,300 to 3600 $
28
There are no
new figures on wax trade. Other earlier figures on wax production and trade are given elsewhere
17
.
Fair trade beeswax
Fair trade beeswax is traded by some companies. This beeswax collected from Fair Trade organizations is
less likely to be in contact from by-products of industrialized societies.
Organic beeswax
As a major part of the commercial beeswax is now contaminated by acaricides
47
, there is an increased need
on the market for residue-free organic beeswax, and such beeswax quality is offered by beeswax companies.
African beeswax, which is free of acaricides is a good candidate for the near future. Indeed African bees are
tolerant to varroa and no acaricides have to be used.
Further Reading:
12, 14, 33
References
1. (2015) World: Beeswax market report. Analysis and Forecast to 2020:
http://de.slideshare.net/IndexBox_Marketing/world-beeswax-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-
2020.
2. AL WAILI, N S (2003) Topical application of natural honey, beeswax and olive oil mixture for atopic
dermatitis or psoriasis: partially controlled, single-blinded study. Complementary Therapies in
Medicine 11 (4): 226-234.
3. AL-WAILI, N S; SALOOM, K S; AL WAILI, T N; AL WAILI, A N (2006) The safety and efficacy of a
mixture of honey, olive oil and beeswax for the management of hemorrhoids and anal fissure : a pilot
study. TSW Holistic Health and Medicine 1: 26-33.
4. ANONYMOUS (1977) Cereplasty in science and the art. Prov. First Int.Congress Florence, Florence, Italy: pp
1-728.
5. ANONYMOUS (2002) European pharmacopoeia. Council of Europe Strassbourg (4. edition)
6. BENNETT, H (1975) Industrial waxes. Natural and synthetic waxes. Compounded waxes and technology.
Chemical Publishing Company XIII New York, USA; 413 pp
7. BENSON, G G; HEMINGWAY, S R; LEACH, F N (1978) Composition of the wrappings of an ancient
Egyptian mummy. J.Pharmacy and Pharmacol. 30: 78.
8. BERTHOLD, R; BARRACLOUGH, M; BOSSOM, M; DUFFIN, E (1993) Beeswax crafting. Wicwas Press
Cheshire, Connecticut; 125 pp
9. BIRSHTEIN, V Y; TUL'CHINSKII, V M; TROITSKII, A V (1976) A study of organic components in ancient
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10. BRADBEAR, N (2009) Bees and their roles in forest livelyhoods. Rome; 194 pp
11. BRAND, H M (1989) Modified beeswax and a process for the modification of beeswax. European Patent
Application (No EP 319 062)

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12. BROWN, R (1995) Beeswax. Butler & Tanner Ltd. Frome Frome, GB; 87 pp (3. edition)
13. BROWN, R H (1981) Beeswax. Bee Books New and Old England Burrowbridge, Somerset, GB
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15. CRANE, E (1983) The Archaeology of Beekeeping. Gerald Duckworth & Co. Ltd. London
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22. EFSA (2008) Beeswax (E 901) as a glazing agent and as carrier for flavours. The EFSA Journal 615: 1-3.
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(Environmentally friendly lubricants are preferred in many applications where groundwater or soil
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use as a thickener for lubricating greases. European beeswax was used as a thickening material for the
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weakness of the prepared lubricating greases is their narrow working temperature range. However, the
beeswax together with rapeseed oil has great potential in the production of environmentally friendly,
completely renewable lubricating greases.): 347-358.

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32. KRELL, R (1996) Value-added products from beekeeping. FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the
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