Wax compositions are provided with improved properties for candles and candle jars. The candle wax composition includes a major amount of a foots oil and minor amount of a 600N slack wax. In one form, the foots oil is a 150N foots oil that is included in the composition at from 70 to 80 weight % of the composition and the 600N slack wax is included in the composition at from 20 to 30 wt % of the composition. The candle wax composition provides substantially no oil bleed and a smooth surface appearance with improved burning properties in terms of soot production, wax consumption, melt pool depth and flame height.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing a transparent varnish composition. The method comprises the steps of providing a binder, adding to the binder 1 to 40 wt % precipitated calcium carbonate particles by weight of the composition, wherein the precipitated calcium carbonate particles have an average D.sub.50 particle size of 60 to 120 nm measured by dynamic light scattering, fewer than 10% of the precipitated calcium carbonate particles by volume of the total precipitated calcium carbonate particles have a particles size of 75 nm or less, fewer than 10% of the precipitated calcium carbonate particles by volume of the total precipitated calcium carbonate particles have a particles size of 110 nm or more, the steepness of the particle size distribution is in the range of 1.3-1.55, and dispersing the precipitated calcium carbonate in the composition.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing a transparent varnish composition. The method comprises the steps of providing a binder, adding to the binder 1 to 40 wt % precipitated calcium carbonate particles by weight of the composition, wherein the precipitated calcium carbonate particles have an average D.sub.50 particle size of 60 to 120 nm measured by dynamic light scattering, fewer than 10% of the precipitated calcium carbonate particles by volume of the total precipitated calcium carbonate particles have a particles size of 75 nm or less, fewer than 10% of the precipitated calcium carbonate particles by volume of the total precipitated calcium carbonate particles have a particles size of 110 nm or more, the steepness of the particle size distribution is in the range of 1.3-1.55, and dispersing the precipitated calcium carbonate in the composition.

The present invention describes tunable methods of treating cellulosic materials with a barrier coating comprising a prolamine and at least one polyol fatty acid ester that provides increased oil and/or grease resistance to such materials without sacrificing the biodegradability thereof. The methods as disclosed provide for adhering of the barrier coating on articles including articles comprising cellulosic materials and articles made by such methods. The materials thus treated display higher lipophobicity and may be used in any application where such features are desired.

The present invention describes tunable methods of treating cellulosic materials with a barrier coating comprising a prolamine and at least one polyol fatty acid ester that provides increased oil and/or grease resistance to such materials without sacrificing the biodegradability thereof. The methods as disclosed provide for adhering of the barrier coating on articles including articles comprising cellulosic materials and articles made by such methods. The materials thus treated display higher lipophobicity and may be used in any application where such features are desired.

The invention relates to rice bran wax oxidates that have optionally been derivatized and to micronized wax additives (MWAs) comprising optionally derivatized rice bran wax oxidate, having a volume-average particle size d.sub.50 of between 1 and 50 μm, and to the production thereof and use thereof in printing inks, paints and coatings.

To provide an active energy ray-curable varnish composition that can increase the content of raw materials derived from biomass and maintain its basic properties, such as compatibility. The varnish composition contains a compound having one or more ethylenically unsaturated bonds, wherein the varnish composition satisfies the following Conditions. Condition (A): the varnish composition contains a specific ingredient that has no ethylenically unsaturated bonds, has an sp value of 9.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 to less than 11.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2, and comprises a compound having a structure derived from animal or vegetable ingredients in a content of 0.1 mass % to 50 mass % in the entire composition; and Condition (B): the varnish composition contains oil or fat that is derived from animals or vegetables and has an sp value of less than 9.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 or 11.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 or more in a content of less than 15 mass % in the entire composition.

To provide an active energy ray-curable varnish composition that can increase the content of raw materials derived from biomass and maintain its basic properties, such as compatibility. The varnish composition contains a compound having one or more ethylenically unsaturated bonds, wherein the varnish composition satisfies the following Conditions. Condition (A): the varnish composition contains a specific ingredient that has no ethylenically unsaturated bonds, has an sp value of 9.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 to less than 11.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2, and comprises a compound having a structure derived from animal or vegetable ingredients in a content of 0.1 mass % to 50 mass % in the entire composition; and Condition (B): the varnish composition contains oil or fat that is derived from animals or vegetables and has an sp value of less than 9.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 or 11.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 or more in a content of less than 15 mass % in the entire composition.

An active chemistry capable of being combined with a carrier to produce a coating for fertilizer or other granular or compacted products, where the coating is capable of being applied at ambient temperature and is capable of reducing moisture adsorption and caking of the granular product. The active chemistry may be a functionalized polymer such as maleic anhydride/acid (from maleic anhydride), itaconic acid, diisobutylene, methacrylic acid, alkyl acrylates (i.e. butyl acrylate), hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, 3-allyloxy-1,2-propanediol acrylic acid, acrylamide, or a combination thereof.

An active chemistry capable of being combined with a carrier to produce a coating for fertilizer or other granular or compacted products, where the coating is capable of being applied at ambient temperature and is capable of reducing moisture adsorption and caking of the granular product. The active chemistry may be a functionalized polymer such as maleic anhydride/acid (from maleic anhydride), itaconic acid, diisobutylene, methacrylic acid, alkyl acrylates (i.e. butyl acrylate), hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, 3-allyloxy-1,2-propanediol acrylic acid, acrylamide, or a combination thereof.