When most people think about bulk liquid shipping, they picture free-flowing liquids like chemicals, oils, or food-grade ingredients. But not all bulk liquids behave the same way. Wax is a prime example: while it can be transported in liquid form, it’s also highly viscous and prone to solidifying if not handled correctly. That makes shipping wax far more complex than sending other liquid commodities.
At Bulk Connection, we’ve helped manufacturers ship wax safely and efficiently for decades. Here’s what shippers need to know about the unique challenges of transporting wax — and how the right 3PL partner can ensure success.
Because of this, wax should be treated not as a standard bulk liquid, but as part of a specialized category of viscous bulk liquids that require careful heat management, specialized equipment, and expert handling.
The main challenge with wax is temperature control. If the temperature of wax drops too much, it can solidify inside a tanker. Unloading can then become a costly, time-consuming ordeal. Even partial hardening can damage quality and cause product loss.
Shipping challenges that increase the likelihood of wax cooling during transport include:
Successful wax shipping comes down to one word: heat. Most wax shipments require insulated stainless-steel tankers equipped with in-transit heating systems.
The main purpose of in-transit heat is to maintain a product’s viscosity so that it is acceptable for unloading. Bulk liquid tankers with in-transit heating capabilities have a series of steam coil lines that run along the sides of the tank. The truck heats and circulates coolant through these lines in a continuous cycle. When running at full strength – typically after 4 hours of continuous driving – this system will reach optimal thermal capacity working to maintain temperatures of materials that are rated for unloading at 150˚F or below.
Importantly, this in-transit system does not actually heat the wax in the tank. Rather, it assists in maintaining the product’s temperature. In other words, it seeks to minimize the loss of heat during transit by maintaining the temperature throughout the journey.
The driver will call into dispatch each morning of the journey to report the temperature. Even with the system running as designed, there still is the possibility the material could drop in temperature. If it is clear over the course of these temperature readings that the product may fall below the required temperature prior to delivery, then outside steaming will be needed.
Tank steaming occurs at most tank wash stations as well as other facilities (e.g., railyards). Such facilities have steam lines that connect a boiler to an external hook up of the tank’s coil heating system (only after the tanker’s lines have been flushed out if the in-transit heat system was charged). Once this connection is made, the boiler system will apply and build pressure through the steam lines before releasing it.
A “steam trap” is a mechanism on the back of the tanker which allows pressure to build up slowly as the steam progresses through the coils, which allows for better transfer of heat to the tank. Once the maximum pressure is reached, the trap will release this pressure out and the process of building pressure back up begins again.
Ideally, the tank will be heated to a temperature above the required delivery temperature so that the driver has a “buffer” to allow for natural temp decreases. Steaming must be performed carefully as you can scorch the product by applying too much steam too quickly.
As our article on transporting viscous liquids explains, not all viscous products need to be fully melted; some just need to remain “pumpable.” Wax can fall into either category, depending on the application.
With viscous products like wax, tank cleaning is critical. If a tank isn’t washed immediately after unloading, residual wax can harden, making cleaning much more difficult. Improper washouts also risk contaminating the next load.
That’s why Bulk Connection plans for tank washes in our loads and provides resources like our Tank Wash Finder tool.
Shipping wax shares many challenges with other temperature-sensitive liquids like emulsifiers, fats, or specialty chemicals. All of these require:
Bulk Connection’s experience across these product categories helps shippers avoid costly mistakes and maintain product quality.
If you’re planning a bulk wax shipment, keep these practices in mind:
Wax may be classified as a bulk liquid, but its handling requirements put it in a class of its own. From heating and insulation to proper tank cleaning and equipment selection, success depends on experience.
At Bulk Connection, we’ve been solving these challenges for shippers since 1987. With one of the largest carrier networks in North America and 24/7 access to bulk freight experts, we help you ship wax — and any other viscous bulk liquid — safely, efficiently, and with confidence.
Contact us today to learn how our expertise can keep your wax shipments moving without disruption.