Hydrogenated Castor Oil – Flakes (HCO)

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Hydrogenated Castor Oil – Flakes (HCO)

 

High-Melting, Waxy, Versatile Castor Derivative for Cosmetics, Greases, Coatings & Industrial Applications | Nova Industries**

Hydrogenated Castor Oil (HCO), also known as Castor Wax, is a hard, brittle, high-melting white wax produced by hydrogenating pure castor oil. The hydrogenation process converts unsaturated ricinoleic acid into fully saturated 12-hydroxy stearic acid triglycerides, giving HCO excellent thermal stability, high melting point, chemical resistance, lubricity, and thickening properties.

HCO is widely used in cosmetics, lubricants, PVC plastics, inks, coatings, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and industrial formulations. Nova Industries is one of India’s trusted exporters of premium-grade HCO Flakes, known globally for quality consistency.

1. Manufacturing Process of Hydrogenated Castor Oil – Flakes (HCO)

A. Raw Material Selection

  • High-purity Castor Oil FSG / PPG is selected.

  • Oil is tested for:

    • Low moisture

    • Low acid value

    • High ricinoleic acid content

B. Hydrogenation Process

The core step in HCO manufacturing:

  1. Castor oil is heated in a hydrogenation reactor (autoclave).

  2. Nickel catalyst is added.

  3. Hydrogen gas is introduced under controlled pressure and temperature.

  4. Double bonds in the fatty acid chain get saturated.

  5. Oil converts into a hard, white, wax-like solid.

Result: Fully saturated castor oil with high melting point.

C. Catalyst Removal

  • Nickel catalyst is removed by filtration.

  • Ensures high purity and compliance with global standards.

D. Purification

  • Filtration & polishing remove traces of impurities.

  • Achieves bright white color and excellent stability.

E. Flaking Process

  • Melted HCO is poured on a cooling belt / drum flaker.

  • It solidifies instantly and forms:

    • White flakes

    • Brittle granules

F. Sieving & Grading

  • Flakes are separated into uniform size.

  • Ensures consistency for cosmetic and industrial applications.

G. Quality Control

Batch-wise tests include:

  • Melting point

  • Acid value

  • Saponification value

  • Color (whiteness index)

  • Moisture

  • Impurities

  • Odor

2. Applications & Industries Using HCO Flakes

A. Major Industries

  • Cosmetics & personal care

  • Lubricants & greases

  • PVC plastics & polymer industry

  • Printing inks

  • Surface coatings

  • Adhesives & sealants

  • Rubber processing

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Textile auxiliaries

B. Key Applications

  • Thickening agent in creams & lotions

  • Emulsion stabilizer

  • Premium lubricating greases

  • Nylon, PVC & plastic processing

  • Hot-melt adhesives

  • Defoming agents

  • Polishes & waxes

  • Anti-tack agent in rubber compounds

  • Matte finish in inks & coatings

  • Tablet lubricants (pharma)

  • Mold release formulations

  • Powder metallurgy binders

HCO is especially valued for its high melting point and strong chemical stability.

3. Benefits of Hydrogenated Castor Oil – Flakes

Functional Benefits

  • High melting wax ideal for thermal stability

  • Excellent lubrication & smooth texture

  • Strong thickening ability

  • Enhances viscosity in formulations

  • Good anti-friction properties

Technical Benefits

  • Fully saturated molecule → excellent oxidative stability

  • Water-resistant and oil-resistant

  • Acts as a slip modifier in plastics

  • Improves hardness & gloss in coatings

  • Non-reactive, stable at high temperatures

Commercial Benefits

  • Longer shelf life

  • Excellent batch-to-batch consistency

  • Cost-effective compared to synthetic waxes

4. Technical & Premium Quality Details

Premium HCO flakes must meet strict specifications:

Typical Technical Properties

  • Appearance: White to off-white flakes

  • Melting Point: 80°C – 86°C

  • Acid Value: ≤ 2 mg KOH/g

  • Saponification Value: 175 – 185

  • Iodine Value: < 3 g I₂/100g (fully hydrogenated)

  • Hydroxyl Value: 155 – 165

  • Moisture: ≤ 0.25%

  • Odor: Neutral, waxy

Quality Highlights

  • Fully hydrogenated → high stability

  • Low acid value → ideal for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals

  • Uniform flake size

  • Consistent melting behavior

5. Key Specifications & Features

Physical Features

  • Hard, brittle flakes

  • Excellent whiteness

  • High melting point

  • Odorless & non-toxic

Chemical Features

  • Fully saturated triglyceride

  • High hydroxyl content

  • Superior oxidative stability

  • Insoluble in water, soluble in hot alcohol and organic solvents

Available Grades

  • Standard HCO Flakes

  • Cosmetic-grade HCO

  • Pharma-grade HCO

  • Fine flakes / coarse flakes (as per buyer requirement)

6. Why Choose Nova Industries for HCO Flakes

A. Advanced Manufacturing Excellence

  • Modern hydrogenation reactors

  • Nickel catalyst recovery system

  • Automated drum flakers for uniform flakes

  • Clean and controlled production environment

B. Strict Quality Control

  • In-house laboratory equipped with:

    • GC / HPLC

    • Melting point apparatus

    • Moisture analyzer

    • Lovibond colorimeter

  • Batch-wise testing ensures consistency

C. Certifications & Compliance

  • ISO-certified plant

  • REACH-compliant supply to Europe

  • Cosmetic- and Pharma-grade compliance

  • GMO-free, cruelty-free, vegan

D. Global Customer Trust

  • Trusted by customers in:

    • USA

    • Europe

    • LATAM

    • Korea

    • Japan

    • Middle East

  • Strong export capabilities with consistent quality

E. Customization Support

  • Viscosity & melting point tuning

  • Custom flake size

  • Tailor-made specifications

7. Environmental & Sustainability Points

Eco-Friendly Raw Material

  • Derived from castor plants, a renewable resource

  • Non-food crop, grows in dry regions

Biodegradable

  • Breaks down naturally

  • Safe for environment

Low Carbon Footprint

  • Compared to petroleum waxes, HCO is far more sustainable

Supports Green Chemistry

  • Used in bio-based coatings, lubricants, inks, and cosmetics

  • Helps reduce use of synthetic and petrochemical waxes

8. High-Performance Characteristics

  • High temperature resistance

  • Excellent oxidative stability

  • Outstanding viscosity control

  • Strong film-forming ability

  • Enhances hardness and gloss

  • Improves slip and anti-blocking properties in plastics

  • Superior lubrication in greases

  • Smooth consistency for cosmetic formulations

9. Additional Value-Added Information

A. Packaging Options

  • 25 kg bags

  • 50 kg bags

  • Jumbo bags

  • Custom packaging on request

  • Export packaging: HDPE lined bags with moisture barrier

B. Storage Guidelines

  • Store in cool, dry area

  • Keep away from moisture

  • Avoid exposure to direct heat

  • Ideal storage temperature: below 30°C

C. Shelf Life

  • 24–36 months if properly stored

D. Safety & Handling

  • Non-toxic & safe

  • Use gloves while handling

  • Avoid inhalation of fine flake dust

  • Follow industrial hygiene standards

E. Export Advantages

  • High global demand as a natural wax

  • India is a leading manufacturer with competitive pricing

  • Easy shipment from Mundra Port

F. Global Market Trends

  • Growing usage in eco-friendly cosmetics

  • Rising demand in PVC & polymer applications

  • Increased use in industrial greases & coatings

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