Petrolatum

Petrolatum (CAS 8009-03-8), also sold as white petrolatum and soft paraffin, is a purified semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum refining. In industry, it functions as an occlusive moisturizer and protective barrier agent.

It serves as a lubricant across personal care, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. In topical pharmaceutical and OTC skin care products, it acts as an occlusive barrier that reduces transepidermal water loss.

This makes it a base ingredient in ointments, wound care preparations, and lip balms. Cosmetic formulators use it to adjust texture and provide long-lasting emolliency in creams, lotions, and color cosmetics.

In metalworking and industrial maintenance, rod wax grades serve as rust-preventive coatings and cable lubricants. These are ideal where a semi-solid, water-resistant film is required for long-term protection.

It also functions as a release agent and anti-tack coating in rubber and plastics processing. Petrolatum is supplied as a semi-solid at ambient temperature, available in white and yellow grades.

Recognized specifications include USP, BP, and Ph.Eur. for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use. Technical grades are also available for various industrial applications and manufacturing processes.

Packaging typically ranges from drums to bulk totes depending on volume requirements. This ensures safe transport and easy integration into large-scale production lines for global chemical distribution.