ABOUT US

OUR STORY– ABOUT US

“ Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world “ Archbishop Desmond Tutu

 It’s all about breathing, eating and taking care of nature

Searching for sustainable alternatives for daily habits is not new for Vegteam.

In 2012 Vegteam starts the “Talho Vegetariano “ with the distribution in Portugal of the vegan /vegetarian meat alternatives of the well known  “De Vegetarische Slager “ only after two years of their existence added by the very much awarded FRY’S vegan brand a while later .

Seems only natural that a vegetal alternative to candles my add now the portfolio with the Eco Candle Project by Vegteam

We’ve been offering vegan-friendly quality brands for people to eat, now we offer sustainable luxury, high quality and eco-friendly candles for people to breathe and enjoy.

It’s the result of 3 years studying and searching the international market and from all the different alternatives available.

We have a technical background so our choices relies upon many tests and a lot of study.

We do scented and unscented container candles ,melt waxes, reed diffusers etc.

We sell the best products for chandlers so they can offer top quality products .

We offer technical support .

We work mainly with blended natural waxes like rapeseed wax (from canola oil), coconut wax and with soy wax , made or sourced in  Europe from fairtrade  and responsibly sourced.

After oil is extracted from the beans, it is hydrogenated, turning it into the solid form we see in wax candles. Because this type of wax is vegetable-based and obtained from a renewable source, it is widely considered to have less impact on the environment, compared to the paraffin option

Fair trade and environmental responsible suppliers is requirement to work with us

• We do scented and unscented candles , melts and reed diffusers
• We use recyclable containers tested for candle use
• We use cotton wicks or woodwicks
• We use high quality, premium fragrances made in Europe ( mainly in France and UK)
• We use recyclable packaging

Vegetal waxes have the following benefits over paraffin wax:

• It’s made from a vegetal sustainable source , renewable, vegan-friendly ( although paraffin is a byproduct made from slack wax , from crude oil is from a non-renewable and non-sustainable source)
• It burns longer ( approx 35% more)  and more cleanly than paraffin wax
• It’s biodegradable and free from pesticides and herbicides
• It is produced ( not all but mainly ) without genetically modified material
• It is easy to clean up with soap and hot water eliminating the need for solvents when using paraffin

Why using responsible sourced vegetal wax is sustainable and eco-environmental friendly ?

Paraffin wax is a byproduct of the oil purification process. Through a dewaxing process that crude oil undergoes, paraffin wax is derived and is then processed further for use in products. Today, petroleum-based paraffin wax can be found in candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics, and electrical insulators, among other commercial items.

But also it's important to know about paraffin  :

It has been claimed that paraffin wax releases toxic fumes when burnt, which has contributed to its fall out of favour.

In 2009, a study by South Carolina State University found that burning paraffin wax candles give off harmful fumes (toluene and benzene) which is linked to asthma and lung cancer.¹ Soy candles, in the same research, were not found to emit toxic chemicals. It is also reported that frequent lighting of multiple paraffin candles in an unventilated space could lead to problems commonly associated with paraffin wax: irritation of skin and respiratory tract. This study garnered widespread controversy on the effects of paraffin wax versus that of soy wax, resulting in an increased demand for soy wax candles.

That said, the same study also states that it would take years of exposure for health problems to occur. Many have also spoken out in defense of paraffin wax, including the European Candle Association and the National Candle Association. Both organization cite an industry-funded study² in 2007 which reported that none of the candle waxes tested, including paraffin wax, soy wax and beeswax, produced benzene.

Even though the health effects of paraffin wax are as yet undetermined, its environmental impact is less ambiguous. Crude oil, being the origin of paraffin wax, is considered highly unsustainable due to it being a non-renewable resource. It has also been the cause of a slew of environmental calamities, in oil spills, damage of natural habitats and climate change.

On top of that, a 2004 study by Maastricht University also discovered levels of potentially carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons in churches, presumably due to the burning of low-quality paraffin wax candles over long periods of time. Alarmingly, the level of pollutants detected exceeded that of high-traffic roads.³ This could, once again, be due to the presence of crude oil, as it is known to emit huge amounts of particulate pollution when burned.

Many brands are increasingly using more sustainable options in replacement of paraffin wax. Even though its impact on human health is debatable, its relationship with non-renewable fossil fuels still deters the environmentally-conscious. Vegetal waxes like soy wax, rapeseed, coconut, are highly viable alternatives and are arguably more sustainable.

Is this important or just a drop of water in the ocean?

If we look at the big picture regarding the volume of the candle market in Europe we have a volume of business of 2.781 million € 

And in the US retail sales of candle products are estimated at approximately $3.14 billion annually. (Source: Mintel, 2013).

And also regarding the paraffin wax market size ( in all sectors of industry ) and according to Reportsanddata figures and info   (https://www.reportsanddata.com/) of February 2020 :

The global paraffin wax market is expected to reach USD 7.72 Billion by 2027, according to a new report by Reports and Data. Paraffin wax has widespread application in the making of functional candle, owing to its several benefits such as ease of dyeing with all types of candle dyes, and compatibility with all types of fragrance oils and additives used in making of candles. Also, it is very economical in comparison to other kinds of waxes to manufacture candles.

Paraffin wax finds application in the cosmetic industry for application on the hands and feet. It is a natural emollient effect that aids in making skin soft and supple. On application to the skin, it imparts moisture and carries on to improve the moisture levels of the skin post completion of the treatment. Moreover, it helps to exfoliate skin and open pores, thereby giving a smoother and fresher appearance to the skin.

Combinations of paraffin and micro waxes find usage in the rubber industry to avert cracking of the rubber; the blend of wax moves to the surface of the rubber product and forms a protective layer. Also, this layer acts as a release agent, assisting the product separate from its mold.

Additionally, paraffin wax may be implemented in pain-relieving therapies in the hands and legs of people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia, among other joint mobility issues. It functions as a form of heat therapy and may help increase blood flow, relax muscles, and reduce stiffness of joints. It is also helpful in the reduction of muscle spasms and inflammation along with treatment of sprains.     

• By product type, fully-refined paraffin wax is likely to grow at a significant rate in the forecast period, as it contains below 0.5% of oil and has the highest grade of refinement. It is clay treated or hydro-treated to take out impurities and discoloration.
• By availability, solid paraffin wax dominated the market in 2018 and is expected to experience a growth rate of 3.7% in the period 2019-2027.
• By applications, candles contributed to the largest market share in 2018 and is projected to grow at the fastest rate of 3.6% in the forecast period. Candles are used primarily for their aesthetic value and aroma, mostly to set a soft or warm ambiance, emergency lighting in case of electrical power failures, and for religious purposes, among others.
• The market in the Asia Pacific region held the largest market share in 2018 and is likely to grow at a rate of 4.8% in the forecast period. The market dominance of the APAC region is attributed to the increasing demand for candles, packaging, and hot melt adhesives in developing economies, including India, China, and South Korea.
• Key participants include ExxonMobil, Sinopec, PetroChina Company Limited, Sasol, The International Group, Honeywell, Nippon Seiro Company Limited, Petrobras, Repsol, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., among others.

Why affordable luxury candle?

•  -Rich complexity of top, middle, and base notes ( see our FAQ to learn about olfactiv pyramid of fragrances )  to create depth and interest to create depth and interest .
• - Rare and exotic ingredients like sandalwood, oud, rose, olibanum, jasmine, and tonka that are found in classic luxury perfumes
• - Higher natural content of fragrances- Rich complexity of top, middle, and base notes ( see our FAQ to learn about olfactiv pyramid of fragrances in all the wax ( we don't use paraffin cores unscented to cheat our clients  )
• - Created by renowned perfumers with discerning noses, making the receipt truly a time intensive art
• - Inspired by innovation and classics from the most beloved, luxurious, fine fragrances
• - Adrogynous scents that can be described as deep, rich, sexy, and complex
• -We do each and every candle manually and our candles were thoroughly tested

Why sustainable candles?

Because we pursue to achieve that our project -  Ecocandle Project by Vegteam-  can and will  be developed according to the 17 Global Goals requirements :

In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals (officially known as the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs). It's now five years on, and we have more work than ever to do. These goals have the power to create a better world by 2030, by ending poverty, fighting inequality and addressing the urgency of climate change. Guided by the goals, it is now up to all of us, governments, businesses, civil society and the general public to work together to build abetter future for everyone general public to work together to build a better future for everyone

• Our suppliers of fragrance oils guaranty that it is packaged in phthalate-free, recyclable, PET plastic bottles.
• The fragrances comply with the strictest global RIFM and IFRA standards.
• All SDS and CLP certification has been prepared by a professional CLP labelling company to ensure accuracy and is reviewed every 12 months.
• We always ensure fragrances are handled in accordance with this documentation All fragrances undergo a triple-check quality assurance program.

  https://www.globalgoals.org/resources

Frequent use of certain candles produces unwanted chemicals. (2009, August 24). Retrieved June 4, 2018, from https://www.scsu.edu/news_article.aspx?news_id=832

² European Candle Association ASBL. (2009, August 19). ECA statement refuting study by South Carolina State University researchers suggesting candles may release harmful or even carcinogenic pollutants. Retrieved June 4, 2018, from http://www.eca-candles.com/index.php?newsid=106&sprach_id=en&&SID=6bdb9ocpi7rrgdn9fp4bp4aau7 

³ Siegle, L. (2011, November 27). The burning issue of wax. Retrieved June 4, 2018, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/nov/27/lucy-siegle-candle-wax-ethical

References

Britannica, T. E. (2018, May 09). Paraffin wax. Retrieved June 4, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/science/paraffin-wax

The Wilderness Society. (n.d.). Seven ways oil and gas drilling is bad news for the environment. Retrieved June 4, 2018, from https://wilderness.org/seven-ways-oil-and-gas-drilling-bad-news-environment

https://essentials.banyantree.com/blogs/blog/no-love-for-paraffin-wax