Carnauba Wax in United States--Brazilian Foreign Trade

Abstract

xN OT until war-time conditions alter the customary production and shipping of commodities in foreign commerce do many people appreciate the advantages of international trade or realize their own lack of general information concerning the commodities sent from distant corners of the earth. A product heretofore infrequently mentioned is carnauba wax. This wax has been an article of commerce for decades. In recent years, however, a variety of new uses has greatly increased the demand for it and consequently enlarged the volume moving in international trade. Carnauba wax is secured from the carnauba palm, Copernicia cerifera, indigenous to tropical South America. Since cultivation of this palm for wax has been relatively unsuccessful in other countries, most of the world's supply of carnauba comes from northern Brazil where the trees grow wild. In 1940 all of our imports of carnauba wax were from Brazil. The wax forms on the fan-shaped leaves of the palm to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture in dry seasons. To remove the wax dust, some leaves are cut from the tree, dried, and scraped, or beaten. The class of wax depends upon the type of leaf cut. From the mature leaves straw wax is secured, and from the young leaves, eye wax. These waxes are melted to obtain the commercial grades of carnauba, hardened to form cakes, and then packed in heavy bags for shipping. The powder from the mature leaves melted without water produces the North Country grade of wax, with water, chalky wax; both are dark in color. The eye wax, when melted, yields No. 1 and No. 2 yellow wax, No. 1 being of the best quality. To secure certain grades, the wax is customarily treated with a bleaching agent, and mixed with a small percentage of paraffin wax. To consider all the industrial uses of carnauba wax would be a tiresome project. Only a few of the more common applications need be mentioned. Perhaps most familiar is its use as a polish base; carnauba wax imparts luster to shoe, metal, floor, automobile, or furniture polish. This wax is an ingredient in the manufacture of some paints, enamels, lacquers, varnishes, and wood-finishing waxes; it gives a surface to which dust will not cling easily. Also it enters into the production of certain phonograph records, photographic film, carbon paper, soap, salve, chalk, and matches. Compositions containing the wax can stiffen cardboard containers; waterproof pasteboard, wall paper, wrapping paper, and electrical appliances; mothproof feathers, furs, skins, and leather goods; insulate electrical machinery; or seal dry-cell batteries. Candles made from it are hard and durable. Not until about 1900 did carnauba wax definitely become an article of international commerce; before that time, much of the trade was domestic. Exports have assumed increasing impoftance; in recent years, approximately ninety per cent of Brazilian production