The objective of the Solvent Dewaxing process offered by Axens is to remove waxy components from lubrication base oils streams to simultaneously meet desired low-temperature properties for the dewaxed oils and produce hard wax as a salable byproduct.

The properties of the slack wax coming from Solvent Dewaxing very much depends on the design of the latter. In particular, its oil content is typically between 2 and 10 wt%.

That’s why the slack wax undergoes a treatment called Deoiling, essential when food-grade waxes are to be produced. In this operation, the hard waxes are separated from the soft waxes and concomitantly their oil content is reduced down to around 0.2 to 1.0 wt%.