Sitaram Saraf

Dewaxed Shellac is a refined form of natural shellac, produced by removing the naturally occurring wax from seedlac or shellac through specialized processing methods. This dewaxing process enhances its purity and clarity, making it more suitable for applications that demand a smoother finish, greater solubility in alcohol, and improved adhesion properties.

Unlike regular shellac, which contains around 3–5% wax, dewaxed shellac has a wax content reduced to less than 0.2%, allowing it to perform exceptionally well in precision-based industries. It is commonly used in pharmaceutical coatings for tablets and capsules, where its excellent film-forming and sealing properties are valued for moisture resistance and controlled release. In the food industry, dewaxed shellac serves as a natural, food-safe coating for fruits, candies, and confections to enhance gloss and shelf life.

Additionally, dewaxed shellac is highly preferred in wood finishing, especially in fine furniture and antique restoration, because it allows for better adhesion of subsequent finishes like varnish or lacquer. It also plays a critical role in electronics, cosmetics, leather treatments, and even in the manufacture of insulating materials.

Its high saponification value, low ash content, and stable physical characteristics make dewaxed shellac an indispensable raw material in applications where purity, clarity, and performance are critical.