Product Overview & China Production Capacity
Yellow Petrolatum (CAS 8009-03-8) is a semi-refined petroleum jelly retaining its natural amber-yellow color, used as an ointment base, emollient, and moisture barrier in pharmaceutical topical formulations. Unlike white petrolatum, yellow petrolatum undergoes less intensive bleaching and hydrogenation, preserving certain natural hydrocarbon components while still meeting pharmacopoeial purity standards. Chinese petroleum refining facilities in Shandong, Liaoning, and Hebei provinces produce pharma-grade yellow petrolatum through controlled refining of paraffinic petroleum fractions.
Yellow petrolatum serves as a traditional ointment base in compounding pharmacies, veterinary preparations, and industrial skin protectant formulations. It provides excellent occlusive properties and compatibility with oil-soluble APIs. Some formulators prefer yellow petrolatum for its slightly higher natural wax content, which can provide improved consistency in certain ointment formulations. Chinese manufacturers offer multiple consistency grades through control of refining intensity and blending of different petroleum fraction cuts.
Manufacturing Standards & Quality Assurance
Production facilities maintain ISO 9001:2015, and FDA registration. Quality testing includes melting point range, cone penetration, color, UV absorption, sulfur content, acidity/alkalinity, heavy metals, and microbial limits. Products comply with USP/NF Yellow Petrolatum monograph and ChP specifications.
Refining processes include vacuum distillation, solvent de-oiling, and mild hydrogenation to remove sulfur compounds and reactive impurities while retaining the characteristic yellow color. UV absorption testing ensures removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to pharmacopoeial limits. Batch consistency is maintained through blending and cone penetration adjustment.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 8009-03-8 |
| Description | Semi-refined petroleum hydrocarbon mixture |
| Appearance | Yellow to amber unctuous mass |
| Melting Point Range | 38–60 °C |
| Cone Penetration | 100–300 (0.1 mm) |
| UV Absorption (290–350 nm) | Meets USP limits |
| Sulfur Content | Meets specifications |
| Acidity/Alkalinity | Neutral |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Pharmacopoeial Compliance | USP/NF, ChP |
Packaging & Export Logistics
Yellow petrolatum is supplied in 170 kg galvanized steel drums or 25 kg tins, palletized for container loading. Bulk supply in 850 kg IBC containers is available. Lead time is 10–15 business days. FOB from Qingdao, Shanghai, or Dalian; CIF and DDP terms supported.
Documentation includes CoA, SDS, and commercial shipping paperwork. Non-hazardous classification facilitates straightforward global shipping.
China Supply Advantage
Direct yellow petrolatum from Chinese refineries delivers 20–35% cost savings compared to Western sources. China’s refining infrastructure ensures consistent supply of suitable petroleum fractions for pharmaceutical-grade petrolatum production. Chinese producers serve ointment manufacturers, compounding pharmacies, and veterinary product companies worldwide with reliable quality and delivery performance.