Fergana Refinery sold 600 tons of slack wax on the 15th of August for loading in early September, at a price 52 USD/Mt higher than during the previous tender held in July, according to data compiled by Legion Oil & Gas LLC. Fergana slack wax prices have increased by 79 USD/Mt during the last two months and exceeded 850 USD/Mt at the Poland–Belarus border, delivered in rail tank cars to the CPT Brest–Małaszewicze basis.
Demand for slack wax surged due to the high season in Poland, where candle manufacturers are preparing for the November 1st celebration of the All Saints holiday. It takes more than 30 days to delivery cargo from Uzbekistan to Poland by rail, as the product has to travel around 5000 km.
The European wax market price increase is partly due to technical issues being experienced by several big producers in West Europe. According to market participants, one French refinery is struggling to stabilize production after spring maintenance. Another Italian producer has reduced availability after its ownership changed earlier this year.
Wax supplies tightness
The Russian slack wax market is also tighter now due to maintenance at Angarsk Refinery, scheduled for September to October. The refinery processes 250,000 tons of Group I base oils annually, producing light-grade slack wax. Angarsk slack wax is well-suited for grave light producers because of its low viscosity and low melting point properties.
“Light waxes will remain in high demand through August and September. The production season for grave lights has not yet started because of the heat, but it will be in full power in September and October, so factories are building stocks in preparation for the season.” – comments by a European wax buyer.
Fergana Refinery can produce more than 900 tons of slack wax months, as well as 100 tons of paraffin T1 and petrolatum (heavy slack wax). Uzbekistan’s slack wax has a light color and a low melting point, which makes it a good source for candle production. You can find a quality sheet of Fergana slack wax below.
| Parameters | Unit | Guaranteed | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil content | % | 15.0 | 9.0 |
| Viscosity, at 100 °C min | cst | N/A | N/A |
| Melting point, min | °C | 47.0 | 49.8 |
| Flash point, min | °C | 160.0 | 190 |
| Density, kg/m3, max | – | 812.7 | |
| Sulphur | % | 0.7 | 0.29 |
| Water | traces | absent |
Legion Oil & Gas LLC is a professional slack wax and petrolatum supplier, specialized on Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus sourcing. The company is based in Germany, in charge of organizing finance, quality control and delivering products in trucks, tail tank cars and tank containers.
Legion Oil & Gas LLC can supply products from the Rosneft, Lukoil, Gazpromneft, Tatneft, Naftan, Fergana and Turkmenbashy refineries. Contact us via our website or email to receive a quote for slack waxes from ex-USSR refineries.
photo: brbook.uz
