Cepsa’s new paraffin molding plant is now fully operational. The facilities, located in the Gibraltar-San Roque refinery, where the product has been manufactured since the 1970s, have been adapted for the company for the manufacturing, storage and distribution of products, using the latest technologies available in this type of process.

Paraffin is a wax extracted from crude oil and is used in the production of a variety of products including in the food sector as a wax to coat cheese or the base for chewing gum, in cosmetics, as a component for ointments, pastes, creams and lipstick, and in the pharmaceutical sector for the coating of tablets. However, despite the progressive diversification of its uses, the production of candles continues to be the main destination for most of the paraffin produced in the world.

The plant meets the requirements of the Industrial Health Registry and Cepsa's 40 years of experience have helped it to receive the ISO 22000 Food Safety and FSSC 22000 Kosher and Halal certifications. These certifications open the doors to the Jewish and Muslim food markets, which require rigorous compliance with a series of regulations that encompass all aspects of food production, from the ingredients used to the equipment used in the production process.

This is the first time that a safety certification in food management has been awarded to a paraffin production plant in Spain.

“The Company´s strategy is to keep adapting to the highest standards of our customers, even in the most demanding and sophisticated international markets such as the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries,” said José Antonio Tirado, head of the plant.

The hydro-treated paraffin waxes the Company produce are of very high quality and are considered market leaders. At present, Cepsa Lubricants markets 235,000 tonnes of lubricants, base stocks and paraffin wax, making the Company a leader in the Spanish market, allowing it to export products to Europe and other developing markets such as South America and Asia.

About Cepsa

Cepsa is an energy group fully owned by the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC). It employs more than 10,500 people and operates at every stage of the hydrocarbon value chain. It is engaged in petroleum and natural gas prospecting and production activities, refining, transport and sale of crude oil and natural gas derivatives, biofuels, co-generation and electricity sales. Cepsa has developed a world-class chemicals division that is tightly integrated with its oil refining segment, where feedstock is manufactured and sold for the production of components with high value-added, chiefly used in making new-generation plastics and biodegradable detergents. It has a prominent position in Spain and, through the continuing international expansion of its business, it also operates in 15 countries, marketing its products all over the world.

See the site of the Gibraltar-San Roque refinery