Surf wax has come a very long way from the 1930s floor wax that is the first known surfboard wax. Today’s surf waxes are made for traction and to keep you on the board from the drop to the barrel. When deciding on the waxes for your project, Koster Keunen offers a portfolio of waxes to achieve what you need, from reducing your ecological footprint with natural options to cost effective traditional waxes for a simple and stable surf wax.

Change is constant when you are a surfer. This overriding truth is what keeps surfers coming back for the next great wave. Waves may be similar, but they never perfectly repeat, and water conditions continually place new and changing demands on surfers and on the wax that keeps them on top of their boards. Surf waxes have to meet the dual requirements of creating both texture and grip. A base wax forms the textural surface and creates a bed for the top wax to adhere. Together, they provide grip and traction for the rider’s feet on their board.

Clean Wax for Clean Waves

Water temperature is the big determiner for surf wax composition. In colder water, the challenge is to remain grippy and not too hard, while warm water tends to melt off wax that is too soft. Hitting the sweet spot for today’s surfers, however, is increasingly a matter of not only finding the right adhesive qualities, but also of meeting their ecological preferences. Surfers see firsthand the impact of pollution on marine ecology, and surfers are growing more active in their support of lower impact products, from eco-friendly surfboards to reduced plastic use.

As awareness of how our chemical choices impact reef and beach environments, surfers and swimmers alike are considering the composition of sunscreen and taking a closer look at the components of their board wax to reduce or eliminate using petrochemicals. As the number of brands offering surf waxes with more natural ingredients grows, more surfers are also conscious of whether their purchases are truly earning their eco cred.

We’ve Got a Wax For ThatTM

Koster Keunen scientifically customizes wax for your specific applications,
while significantly improving the world in the process.

Koster Keunen has developed our Natural Surf Wax formula with Soy Wax as the main structurant. This sample wax formulation functions well in cool to warm temperatures.

The scent of your surf wax is important to surfers: paddle out past the wave break with your face hugging your board and you will agree. Our Natural Surf Wax incorporates Orange Wax, which imparts a natural tack and pleasant fragrance.  To add to the appeal, Orange Wax is a minimally processed wax, upcycled from sweet orange peels.

While the cost of a natural surf wax may be somewhat higher than traditional (paraffin-based) surf wax, offering your customers natural product options meets the increased pressure from consumers to move to natural or sustainable ingredients. If your brand has sustainable initiatives, Koster Keunen’s natural waxes make it possible for your products to exhibit characteristic performance and quality while helping meet sustainability goals.

Natural Surf Wax – Cool to Warm Temperature (63° F – 78° F)1

Formula#: 11/21-350-11

Ingredient Trade Name %
Phase A
Soy Wax 33.0
Orange Wax 1.0
Castor Oil 27.0
Brazillian Gum Rosin 4.0
Calcium Carbonate 35.0

1 Koster Keunen’s surf waxes are in the process of real-world testing.

Traditional Surf Wax Options

If cost effectiveness is paramount, synthetic or paraffin formulas may be the route you take. Paraffin has remained an industry standard for surf wax due to its versatility and economical availability. Koster Keunen’s sample paraffin-based surf waxes incorporate microcrystalline waxes, known for film formation and adding stability to wax systems. Our traditional surf waxes tested successfully under laboratory conditions for cold temperatures (58-68° F) and warm temperatures (>75° F).

Surf Wax – Cold Temperature1

Formula#: 7/21-161/125-11

Ingredient Trade Name %
Phase A
Paraffin 130/135 30.0
Microcrystalline 165/175 20.0
Escorez 5380 5.0
Calcium Carbonate 35.0
Semtol 500 1.0

1 Koster Keunen’s surf waxes are in the process of real-world testing.

Surf Wax – Warm Temperature1

Formula#: 7/21-161/125-12

Ingredient Trade Name %
Phase A
Paraffin 130/135 30.0
Microcrystalline 165/175 30.0
Escorez 5380 5.0
Calcium Carbonate 35.0

1 Koster Keunen’s surf waxes are in the process of real-world testing.

Long Rides and Quality Breaks

Koster Keunen wants to make sure that your surf wax formula keeps your customers stuck in from curl to kick out. Whatever waxes your system requires, our technical team can help you to choose the right wax for the formula. Contact us to discuss this opportunity.

Contact Koster Keunen

Schedule a consultation, request specific samples, or
get assistance with wax chemistry.

About Koster Keunen

Koster Keunen has been working with wax since 1852 and has used our extensive experience and knowledge base to continuously develop new chemistries. Whether you are developing a new product, or need help with a reformulation or replacement, contact us to learn more about how we source, refine or develop waxes so you can create the perfect formula.