Fischer-Tropsch waxes

Sasol Performance Chemicals is one of the world leaders in the large scale commercial application of proprietary technology for the production of synthetic Fischer-Tropsch (FT) waxes.

These synthetic waxes are made in a controlled environment using carbon monoxide and hydrogen as feedstock, producing saturated, straight-chain hydrocarbons of consistently high purity and quality. The very linear molecular structure of the wax results in many desirable properties. State-of-the-art fractionation, micronisation and chemical modification yield a wide range of products with unique physical and chemical characteristics.

The product range includes high-melt waxes used as performance additives in many specialty applications, and medium-melt waxes which are used in similar applications to paraffin waxes.

High-melt FT waxes have a unique combination of high melting point, low viscosity and hardness, even at elevated temperatures, which ensure superior performance in applications such as hot melt adhesives (HMA), printing inks and coatings, bitumen modification, polymer processing and polishes and textiles. These products are often used in conjunction with lower melting microcrystalline and paraffin waxes.

Medium-melt FT waxes are typically used as alternatives to petroleum waxes and exhibit superior properties in a number of applications such as waterproofing of construction board.