Hydrogenated castor oil (HCO), also called castor wax, is castor oil that has been reacted with hydrogen to turn it from a liquid into a hard, white, waxy solid. It melts at a high temperature for a natural fat, typically in the mid 80s °C.
The main buyers are grease makers, paint and coatings additive makers, plastics compounders and cosmetics manufacturers.
How HCO is made
Castor oil is heated with hydrogen under pressure in the presence of a catalyst, usually nickel. The double bond in ricinoleic acid is saturated, which turns it into 12-hydroxystearic acid within the oil. The hydroxyl group stays, which is what makes HCO useful.
The hot product is filtered to remove catalyst, then cooled and formed into flakes or ground into powder. Gujarat has several HCO plants close to its castor crushers. The starting oil is usually first special grade, explained in what FSG castor oil is.
Who buys it and why
- Grease makers: HCO is a raw material for lithium and calcium greases, directly or after conversion to 12-hydroxystearic acid.
- Coatings, inks and sealants: HCO and its derivatives act as rheology modifiers that stop pigments settling and stop paint sagging.
- Plastics and rubber: used as a lubricant and release agent in processing.
- Cosmetics: used in lipsticks, deodorant sticks and creams to add body and structure.
- Polishes and waxes: used as a hard natural wax.
- Chemical makers: HCO is split to make 12-hydroxystearic acid. See what 12-HSA is.
Typical specification points
Values below are typical for illustration. Each buyer and plant uses its own limits.
- Melting point: typically in the mid 80s °C.
- Iodine value: low, showing how fully the oil was hydrogenated.
- Hydroxyl value: high, roughly similar to castor oil.
- Acid value: low.
- Colour: white to off-white, sometimes measured on a scale after melting.
- Residual nickel: a maximum, important for cosmetic and some industrial uses.
- Form and particle size: flakes, or powder to an agreed mesh.
Buying and shipping
HCO is usually packed in 25 kg bags, often HDPE or paper bags with liners, on pallets. It is a stable product, but it should be kept dry and away from heat that could cause flakes to soften and cake. Ask whether your grade is made in a dedicated line or switched with other derivatives, which affects colour and contamination risk.
Prices follow castor oil, so seed crop size and castor oil markets matter. Grade, nickel limit and particle size are the main reasons quotes differ.
How we help
We audit HCO plants in Gujarat, check hydrogenation and flaking lines, and have melting point, iodine value and nickel tested at an NABL-accredited lab. We then inspect bags and supervise loading. Ask for a free sourcing review.