TTR

Waxes for Inks and TTR Ribbons: Performance that Transfers

When every print matters, the formula makes all the difference.

In industries like logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or food, there’s one thing that can’t fail: the barcode.

Every label must remain legible, resist friction and humidity, endure handling and storage, and often stay intact for weeks or months.

That’s where ink and Thermal Transfer Ribbon (TTR) formulations come into play. And while they often go unnoticed, one of the most critical raw materials behind their performance is: wax.

 

Why are waxes essential in TTR printing?

TTR ribbons are designed to transfer ink onto paper or other substrates through heat. They’re made up of multiple layers (PET base, release layer, ink layer, and back coating), and it’s the wax that ensures clean, consistent, and durable transfer.

Depending on the ribbon type (wax, wax/resin, or pure resin), waxes contribute by providing:

  • Reliable printing performance
  • Resistance to scratches, moisture, or abrasion
  • Compatibility with a wide variety of substrates and printers

And most importantly: guaranteed legibility, every time.

 

What does Multiceras offer for this industry?

At Multiceras, we develop specialized blends based on Candelilla, Candeuba®, and Carnauba, which have proven essential for achieving efficient and stable formulations in the production of industrial inks and TTR ribbons.

Our product portfolio includes:

  • Refined Candelilla Real® (codes 7834 and 7890)
  • Carnauba Type IV and Beads T3 (codes 6004 and 6006) Candeuba® G – an exclusive blend that brings together the best of Candelilla and Carnauba waxes

About Candeuba® G

This proprietary blend offers a melting point of 84–90 °C, with medium acidity and a balanced content of hydrocarbons and esters. It’s ideal for achieving robust technical performance without compromising on stability or compatibility.

 

What benefits do these waxes provide?

Natural waxes like the ones developed at Multiceras serve specific technical roles within each formulation:

  • Moisture protection and stability during variable storage conditions
  • Greater scratch resistance – ideal for high-friction logistics environments
  • High-definition printing, thanks to minimal contraction
  • Effective pigment dispersion, especially for carbon black
  • Prevents ink migration into the substrate, improving sharpness Compatibility with additives like resins and polyethylenes in multi-layer systems

Our waxes are also processed through extraction, refining, and standardization methods that ensure batch-to-batch consistency—a key factor for brands working with high volumes and strict quality standards.

 

Key properties of our most-used waxes

  • Carnauba Type IV and Beads T3: With high melting points (80–86 °C) and rich in esters, these waxes provide hardness, gloss, and excellent abrasion resistance—ideal for long-lasting, durable prints.
  • Refined Candelilla Real®: Melting between 69–73 °C and high in hydrocarbons, this wax enables excellent pigment dispersion and compatibility with complex technical formulations.
  • Candeuba® G: A unique blend combining the strengths of Candelilla and Carnauba waxes, balancing flexibility, hardness, and technical performance in TTR printing applications.

Where are these waxes used?

TTR waxes are essential in industries where traceability, durability, and print clarity are non-negotiable. Common applications include:

  • Logistics and warehouse traceability labels
  • Pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging
  • Consumer goods labeling and barcode printing
  • Industrial inks for packaging, boxes, or lot coding

Whether printing on paper, synthetic materials, or heat-resistant labels, our waxes deliver adaptable, reliable solutions.

 

Conclusion: when quality transfers, it shows.

Printing is not just another step in the process—it’s a critical touchpoint between your product and the world.

And when it’s done with a well-formulated wax, it shows in every scan, every clear label, and every order that arrives without error.

Looking to optimize your ink or TTR ribbon formulation?
Contact us. At Multiceras, our technical team is ready to help you create tailored, high-performance solutions.

Cera de abeja

Beeswax: A Versatile Ingredient for Cosmetics, Food and Pharmaceuticals

Nature as Technology

Some ingredients have proven their worth for centuries.
Beeswax is one of them.

Its ability to structure, protect, emulsify, and add texture makes it essential for industries that demand high performance and total reliability—cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food.

At Alkento, we offer a portfolio of natural and specialty beeswax solutions with proven functionality across these three industries. Our commitment: to deliver certified, high-performance materials with a strong focus on sustainability.

What makes beeswax special?

  • Natural and renewable: a byproduct of beekeeping with traceable, controlled origin
  • Unique texture: adds plasticity, gloss, and structure to solid and semi-solid formulations
  • Stable and functional: good melting point and high compatibility with oils and emollients
  • Multi-industry versatility: acts as an emulsifier, structuring agent, stabilizer or coating

Applications by Industry

Cosmetics & Personal Care

Beeswax plays a key role in formulas that require hold, gloss, protection or texture:

  • Lip balms and sticks: gives body, prevents oil migration, resists heat
  • Mascaras and eyeliners: enhances curl, volume, and durability
  • Creams and lotions: acts as a moisture barrier, prevents transepidermal water loss
  • Hair products: provides long-lasting styling and shape retention

Food Industry

In food applications, beeswax serves as:

  • Coating agent for fruits, candies and baked goods
  • Component in chewing gum base
  • Texturizing aid in chocolate and confectionery
  • Flavor/aroma carrier

Our food-grade beeswax complies with international safety and purity standards.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Thanks to its purity and well-documented safety, beeswax is widely used in pharma:

  • Excipient in ointments, salves, and suppositories
  • Coating agent for tablets and soft gels
  • Controlled-release system in slow-dissolving medications
  • Stabilizer in moisture-sensitive formulations

We provide pharmaceutical-grade options aligned with USP/EP standards.

Our Portfolio: Quality, Sustainability and Versatility

At Alkento, we offer a full line of beeswax solutions, including:

  • Yellow, white and organic beeswax with various filtering grades
  • 100% natural and vegan waxes, ideal for clean beauty formulations
  • Plant-based wax substitutes (sunflower, rice bran wax) for vegan product lines

All our materials are backed by certifications such as ISO 9001, Cosmos Organic, Halal, Kosher, Fair for Life, and Vegan.

Conclusion: Where Science Meets Tradition

Beeswax is a powerful example of how a natural ingredient can meet the technical needs of advanced formulations. At Alkento, we don’t just sell wax—we provide trust, experience, and science-backed innovation.

Launching a new formula? Looking for consistency, shine or flawless texture?
Let’s talk. We’ve got the right solution for you.

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Waxes That Work: How to Choose the Right One and Avoid Formulation Failures

When we talk about products like lip balms, creams, protective sticks, or industrial coatings, we often focus on the final result — texture, shine, durability, or skin feel. But we rarely stop to think about what truly makes a formula work.

The answer lies in something as basic as it is powerful: the quality of the ingredients.

Not All Ingredients Are Created Equal

In the cosmetic, food, and industrial sectors, two formulas may have nearly identical ingredient lists — and yet behave completely differently. Why? Because purity, processing, traceability, and ingredient compatibility can completely change the final product’s performance.

Take waxes, for example. A well-refined wax can provide structure, strength, and shine. A wax with impurities might distort color, affect texture, or even compromise shelf stability.

What Defines a High-Performance Ingredient?

  1. Batch-to-batch consistency

    Essential for brands manufacturing at scale. Without consistency, there is no quality control.
  2. Compatibility with other ingredients

    It’s not enough for an ingredient to work on its own — it must blend in without affecting stability or sensory experience.
  3. Traceability and regulatory compliance

    You need to know where it comes from, how it’s produced, and whether it meets standards like FDA, EFSA, COFEPRIS, or REACH.
  4. Technical support

    When issues arise at the plant, a spec sheet isn’t enough. Real support makes the difference.

Great Products Start with a Solid Foundation

Whether it’s an edible coating, a lip balm, or an industrial adhesive, the secret to a successful product isn’t about adding more ingredients — it’s about choosing the right essentials.

Working with high-quality raw materials reduces long-term costs, minimizes plant rejections, and strengthens brand reputation. It’s not an expense — it’s an investment.

What Does Multiceras Bring to the Table?

At Multiceras, we’ve spent over 30 years developing, refining, and customizing natural, microcrystalline, and synthetic waxes for multiple industries.

But we don’t just sell wax. We help you solve formulation challenges.

🔧 Is your stick deforming in warm weather?

💡 Is your emulsion losing consistency on the shelf?

🧴 Is your cream missing the texture you envisioned?

We offer specialized grades, in-house development labs, and hands-on technical support to work with you — from idea to solution. Our expertise lies in understanding what you need to achieve… and helping you get there with the right ingredient.

Let’s Talk About Your Next Formula

Behind every high-performing product, there are smart decisions.

And many of those decisions start with the right ingredient.

Let’s connect. At Multiceras, we’re ready to be part of what you’re building.

Ceras microcristalinas Blog

Innovations in Microcrystalline Waxes for Cosmetics: Beyond Texture

In the cosmetics world, where every ingredient matters and every sensation is intentional, microcrystalline waxes play a more important role than most people realize. Far from being just a structuring agent, this type of wax contributes to stability, texture, protection, and finish across a wide range of personal care products.

In this article, we dive into how cosmetic formulations have evolved thanks to the latest innovations in microcrystalline waxes — and how at Multiceras, we work closely with labs, brands, and distributors to deliver solutions tailored to every need.

What is microcrystalline wax?

Microcrystalline wax is a petroleum-derived wax known for its fine crystalline structure, which makes it more flexible and tacky than paraffin wax. This texture gives it the ability to hold oils, improve product cohesion, and give body to cosmetic formulations.

It is odorless, white to light yellow, and melts between 60 and 90 °C. These features make it especially useful for heat-resistant, oil-rich, and pigment-dense formulas.

Why use it in cosmetics?

Microcrystalline wax is a favorite in personal care formulations for three main reasons:

  1. Texture & stability
    It helps build structure and viscosity, ensuring that formulas hold their shape — even under heat or extended use.
  2. Versatility
    It’s used in lip balms, creams, deodorants, sunscreens, eyeliners, and more. It can also help control the hardness or softness of a product.
  3. Oil and active retention
    It binds well with oils, pigments, and lipophilic ingredients like botanical extracts and vitamins, without compromising stability.

Where it shows up: common applications

  • Lipsticks & balms
    Provides smooth texture, prevents color bleeding, and gives a firm, shapely finish.
  • Protective & anti-aging creams
    Creates a protective barrier that helps reduce moisture loss and improve skin hydration.
  • Solid makeup sticks (eyeliners, blush sticks)
    Adds rigidity for better application and product durability.
  • Deodorants and depilatory creams
    Stabilizes the formula and allows for consistent release of active ingredients.

What’s new? Cleaner, more sensory-friendly, and sustainable options

Cosmetics are shifting toward safer, cleaner, and more sustainable formulations — and microcrystalline waxes have evolved to match that trend. New-generation waxes offer:

  • Higher purity and better refinement, reducing impurities.
  • Compatibility with clean beauty standards and “non-toxic” or “dermatologist-tested” claims.
  • Vegan-friendly formulations, without animal-derived ingredients.
  • Enhanced dispersion of pigments and active botanicals for more effective products.

How to choose the right wax?

Not all microcrystalline waxes are created equal. Their melting point, viscosity, hardness, and oil compatibility vary depending on the intended application.

At Multiceras, we guide our clients in selecting the wax that best suits their product goals and process requirements. We consider:

  • The type of base (water-based, oil-based, anhydrous)
  • The desired skin feel (light, rich, occlusive)
  • The expected shelf life and packaging conditions
  • The compatibility with active ingredients and production methods

Multiceras: Made-to-measure wax solutions

Our range of microcrystalline waxes includes various grades in terms of color, texture, and purity. We work with labs of all sizes — from indie beauty brands to large-scale manufacturers — to co-create formulas that stand out in both performance and sensorial experience.

We also provide technical consulting, stability testing, and custom recommendations to support every stage of your development process.

Interested in our cosmetic wax portfolio?

Let’s talk. Whether you’re working on a lip balm, a solid perfume, or a next-gen skincare formula, we can help you find the right microcrystalline wax to bring your idea to life.

Imagen blog carnauba

Carnauba Wax in the Food Industry: Beyond the Shine

When we think of natural waxes, it’s easy to associate them with cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or even household products. But there’s one wax in particular that has carved out a unique—and often overlooked—role in the food industry: carnauba wax.

You might recognize it by the distinctive shine it gives to certain  fruits or candies, but its role goes far beyond aesthetics. Today, we’ll show you why this plant-based ingredient is gaining more and more attention in the food sector—and how it can help enhance the quality and efficiency of your processes.

What is carnauba wax and why is it used in food?

Carnauba comes from the leaves of a Brazilian palm called Copernicia prunifera, and it’s known for its purity, stability, and plant-based origin. But what makes it so valuable in food applications is its ability to create a protective barrier over products without altering their organoleptic properties (that is, their taste, texture, or smell).

Beyond the shine, its main function is to help preserve the freshness and shelf life of certain foods. When used as a coating, it prevents moisture loss, protects against oxidation, and improves the final appearance—all without the need for artificial preservatives.

Plus, it’s 100% safe for consumption and approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA in the United States and EFSA in Europe.

Applications you might not expect

While it’s commonly seen on apples or citrus fruits, carnauba wax is used in a wide range of products—from everyday items to highly specialized ones. Some examples include:

  • Pharmaceutical supplements and tablets, where it serves as a coating agent to ease swallowing and protect active ingredients.
  • Candies, chewing gum, and confectionery, where it prevents sticking and enhances final texture.
  • Roasted coffee beans, where it helps preserve aroma during storage.
  • Dried fruits or snacks, which need an attractive, stable appearance throughout their shelf life.

What’s most interesting is that, being plant-based, it’s ideal for brands looking to formulate cleaner, vegan, or clean label products.

Real advantages for technical and purchasing teams

From an operational standpoint, carnauba is easy to integrate into various industrial processes. It can be applied by dipping, spraying, or rotary coating, and works seamlessly with existing machinery.

Its high thermal stability and compatibility with other functional ingredients also make it suitable for multiple formulations—without compromising product performance or safety.

For purchasing and innovation teams, it’s an excellent way to enhance product quality without complicating operations. In short: it’s a solution that adds technical, sensory, and commercial value.

A natural ingredient with a bright future

The food industry is moving toward more responsible solutions—for both consumers and the planet. And on that path, carnauba wax stands out as a strategic ally: natural, safe, versatile, and backed by a spotless regulatory record.

At Multiceras, we’ve been working with this ingredient for over three decades, ensuring traceability, consistent quality, and close advisory support to help you make the most of it.

Want to explore how to integrate it into your products?

Whether you’re in formulation, procurement, or product development, we’re ready to help. Reach out and let’s talk about how carnauba wax can take you beyond the shine—straight to the heart of what your consumers truly value.