Innovative Formulation: Wax Dispersions in Leather Care

The way that leather is cared for helps to determine how well it lasts, and how good it looks over the long term. Koster Keunen presents a formulation innovation that makes leather care more inviting to manufacturers who prefer to cold process, but who demand high quality results. While the basic tenets of leather care (clean, condition, protect) haven’t changed, the means to get those things done definitely has. Cakes of saddle soap or glycerin soap are no longer the only options. The field has opened up, and we have the wax dispersions to make your product range shine.

Waxes, such as Beeswax and Carnauba Wax, have been standard ingredients throughout the history of leather care. They can give leather its attractive glow and keep the moisture in the leather. Beeswax is best known for its water repellency in leather applications. It also aids in cleansing and preservation of leather items. Carnauba wax works to provide a barrier to the surface, prevents fingerprints and scuff marks, and aids in water repellency as well.

Koster Keunen’s wax dispersions offer waxes in formats that allow your brand’s range to efficiently utilize the benefits of waxes.  Bee’s Milk is a highly stable dispersion of Beeswax in a water base and Carnauba Milk is a highly stable dispersion of Carnauba Wax in a water base. Siliconyl Carnauba Milk is also offered and is an enhanced version of standard Carnauba Milk, comprised of a dispersion of Carnauba Wax and silicone in a water base. These products are white, opaque, and can add wax properties to water-based systems and cold processed formulas. Our example formulations demonstrate the ease of including these versatile wax dispersions. Bees Milk and Siliconyl Carnauba Milk are interchangeable in the featured formulas, allowing for flexibility within the chassis depending on the desired result, especially with a lower maximum usage level (between 3% and 10%).

Formula #: 4/23-138/558-1

*Koster Keunen also offers a Paraben Free Bee’s Milk

Formula #: 4/23-558-3

The ability to cold process both cleaners and conditioners with Koster Keunen Milks opens a realm of many new possibilities for manufacturers that do not process with heat. Not only can these products be used in leather care, they also add an advantageous edge to many automotive, vinyl, and surface treatment formulations, like natural stone.

Whether you are formulating a new line of leather care products or looking for the right waxes to make your product range stand out, our chemists are here to help. Contact us to start a conversation with us.