Liquid Paraffin (Heavy) BP EP USP Pharma Grade: What is It?

Liquid Paraffin (Heavy) BP EP USP Pharma Grade stands as a clear or very slightly yellow, viscous liquid. Chemically, it belongs in the hydrocarbon family, commonly classified as a mixture of saturated aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons. The molecular composition consists largely of chains ranging from C15 to C40, sometimes categorized closer to mineral oils than to waxes. The formula, C_nH_2n+2, fits generic alkanes, but a true chemical formula can’t box this material in a tidy space. Often used in pharmaceutical and personal care industries, this paraffin carries unique features that staff depend on for performance and safety across a range of end-applications.

Physical and Chemical Properties

We see Liquid Paraffin (Heavy) as more than an oily, dense solution. Its density typically hovers around 0.860–0.905 g/cm³ at 20°C, making it heavier than light paraffin grades and granting it a thicker consistency. With a boiling point way past 300°C and a flash point around 180°C, this material keeps its composure in a lot of processing and storage conditions. Its refractive index sits between 1.467 and 1.479 at 20°C. The material does not dissolve in water, mixes slightly in alcohol, though it forms a uniform layer when put together with fats or common organic solvents. Whether it’s in liquid or semi-solid state depends on temperature, but as delivered, this grade pours like thick syrup.

Structure and Appearance

No crystals form in normal use—the liquid version dominates commercial shipments. Color holds to clear, ranges to slightly yellow, and most grades offer total transparency in finished products. No flakes, powder, pearls, or solid forms surface in the supply for industrial or pharmaceutical applications, since removal of lighter fractions and purification strip away any residues or unstable components. Visual appearance can help track purity, but real trust comes from batch analysis and compliance with BP, EP, and USP pharmacopeia standards.

Specifications and Regulatory Details

Manufacturers rely on international standards to define acceptable limits for sulphur, aromatic hydrocarbons, and unsaturation. Heavy Liquid Paraffin for pharma, lab, and industrial use must test for acid value (should show no sign of acidity), viscosity at 40°C, and must stay negative for UV absorbance above certain thresholds, reflecting the absence of reactive impurities. HS Code typically comes listed as 2710.19.90—a catch-all for petrochemical-derived mineral oils under the global harmonized tariff system. Certificate of Analysis should show heavy metals below one part per million, total aromatic content negligible, and compliance with all relevant pharma-grade compendiums.

Common Uses

Liquid Paraffin in its heavy form slips into medicinal and cosmetic applications. Here it lubricates, softens, coats, and protects. In my own experience working in pharma warehousing, cosmetic filling lines rely on this grade for creams, ointments, and emollient products that demand high purity and full traceability from feedstock. In drug formulation, liquid paraffin works as a laxative base, and shows up in eye drops as a safe lubricant, meeting tight chemical thresholds for health and safety. The difference between heavy and light grades becomes obvious on a production shift; only heavy paraffin stays put on the skin or surface.

Material Safety and Hazards

Handling always calls for respect, despite its safe record. Inhalation of vapors right above the boiling point can bother respiratory systems. As a hydrocarbon, fire risk appears with mist or vapor, but solid safety protocols bring these risks very low. Pharmaceutical quality production eliminates harmful polycyclic aromatics and off-spec residues, so hazardous decomposition stays a concern only in severe abuse or fire situations. I remember a spillage case—the cleanup needed absorbent pads, followed by disposal as non-hazardous oily waste, but exposure was minimized by using gloves and goggles. Experience in chemical logistics has taught me respect for its persistent, greasy nature and the need for robust PPE if handled in volume.

Raw Materials and Sourcing

Heavy Liquid Paraffin comes from sophisticated distillation of petroleum feedstock, followed by catalytic refinement, hydro-finishing, and rigorous filtration cycles. The raw materials come from trusted, licensed refineries, and the quality of the feedstock has direct impact on the end product’s acceptability for pharma or food use. Documented traceability safeguards every drum or IBC container to satisfy compliance, quality audits, and product recalls if they occur. Trying to find substitutes for genuine BP/EP/USP liquid paraffin in pharma has never gone well in industry or in my own small lab projects; nothing replaces the chemical stability and safety profile imparted by the precise refining processes.

Solutions to Quality and Safety Issues

Buyers chase after reliable suppliers with defensible testing history, Certificates of Analysis, and regular third-party audits. Investing in validation across supply chain steps—down to checking each batch’s density, viscosity, and heavy metals content—builds a wall of trust between user and manufacturer. End users avoid unknown or off-brand paraffin, since contaminants can lead to product recalls, cGMP failures, and real risks to patient safety. In my career, I’ve found that partnering with suppliers who open their labs and invite visits makes all the difference in avoiding surprises. Risk assessment and robust testing—those daily practices preserve safety and guarantee the inert, stable performance demanded by pharmaceutical manufacturers, compounders, and personal care formulators.