Our wax blend - Why we don't currently use Soy

Why Souvant Doesn't Use Soy in Its Wax Blend

Introduction

At Souvant, we value transparency and are committed to creating high-quality, sustainable products. While we appreciate the qualities of soy wax and continue to test new waxes, we have decided not to use it in our current wax blend. However, this decision isn’t final—we’re always open and are constantly revisiting soy waxes in testing, we want to make sure to incorporate it into our blend only if it meets our standards for performance, consistency, and sustainability.

Through extensive testing, we developed a custom blend of rapeseed, coconut, and highly refined mineral wax. While we understand that mineral wax is not a renewable resource, it currently provides the superior performance we want. We are committed to replacing it with a sustainable alternative or additive if one is found that delivers similar results.

Our blend prioritizes local and ethical sourcing:

• Rapeseed: Harvested in Europe under rigorous environmental standards.

• Mineral wax: Highly refined and produced in Germany for consistent quality to EU standards.

• Coconut wax: Sourced from small-scale farms in Southeast Asia with no deforestation, monitored closely by our suppliers.

Soy wax is often seen as the “gold standard” in eco-friendly candles, but this perception doesn’t always align with reality. Below, we explain why Souvant has avoided soy wax—for now.

Why Souvant Avoided Soy Wax So Far

Technical Reasons

1. Performance Limitations: Through testing, we found that soy wax’s performance improved when blended with mineral wax. This reinforced the superiority of mineral wax for achieving strong scent throw and consistent results. While soy can deliver good results in wax melts, inconsistencies emerged when adding a wick and flame to products like candles, having consulted with countless numbers of candlemakers over the last few years, we have found a lot of makers battling with consistency.

2. Batch Inconsistencies: The performance of soy wax varies between suppliers and even within batches from the same supplier. This inconsistency makes it challenging to ensure reliable quality across products.

Environmental Factors

1. Soy Farming Concerns: Large-scale soy farming contributes to deforestation, monocropping, and pesticide use. While the majority of soy is grown for animal agriculture, the environmental impacts of soy production still apply to wax, and this is where the balance between performance and sustainability becomes a dance.

2. Production Concerns: A fact often unknown by not only consumers but even fragrance businesses themselves, the production of soy wax involves petroleum-based solvents like hexane, which are often quietly hidden from candlemakers and not made clear. Many believe soy wax to be free from the petroleum industry; however, while the end product may not contain petroleum, its production process is heavily reliant on it. This information is rarely disclosed, leaving consumers and candlemakers misinformed.

3. European and UK Manufacturers: We’ve found soy wax manufacturers in Europe and the UK with better environmental records. However, these options have yet to meet the consistency required for Souvant products. We will continue testing these suppliers as we strive for an ideal balance between sustainability and performance.

The Pros and Cons of Soy Wax

Pros:

• Renewable and biodegradable.

• Widely marketed as eco-friendly.

Cons:

• Limited scent throw compared to most mineral and blended waxes.

• Prone to frosting, an aesthetic imperfection.

• Inconsistent performance across suppliers and batches.

Debunking Myths About Soy Wax

Scent Throw

Myth: Soy wax offers the best scent throw.
Reality: Blended waxes and mineral wax often outperform soy in delivering strong, consistent fragrances with good burn profiles.

Environmental Impact

Myth: Soy wax is inherently better for the planet.
Reality: While soy is renewable, its production process often has hidden environmental costs, including the use of petroleum-based solvents like hexane. Additionally, the total footprint of soy wax is often misrepresented, and manufacturers rarely explain how the wax is made, this does not mean that mineral waxes are better, but the true environmental impact of each wax is often a grey area. 

Health and Safety

Myth: Soy wax is the only "safe" option.
Reality: Souvant uses IFRA-compliant oils and ensures safety across all products, regardless of wax type.

Why Souvant’s Wax Blend Is Superior

Souvant’s custom wax blend combines the best of performance and sustainability:

• Performance: Strong scent throw and long-lasting fragrance delivery.

• Consistency: Reliable quality across batches and products.

• Sustainability: Ethical sourcing of rapeseed and coconut wax, recyclable packaging, and minimal environmental impact from European and German production standards.

While we acknowledge that mineral wax is not renewable, we believe it currently provides the best balance of performance and sustainability. Our commitment to innovation means we will replace mineral wax if a suitable alternative becomes available.

Helping Consumers Make Informed Choices

When choosing wax products, it’s essential to consider:

• Performance: Does the wax deliver strong and consistent scent throw?

• Sustainability: Are the ingredients sourced ethically and produced locally?

• Transparency: Does the brand disclose how its wax is made?

At Souvant, we feel like we have found a good balance between those 3 points, but will always be open to change as we continue to test new wax blends. We aim to educate our customers and empower them to make informed choices. 

Try Souvant today!

Discover the Souvant difference with our thoughtfully crafted wax melts. Our custom blend offers exceptional performance, ethical sourcing, and a commitment to transparency. Explore our range today and experience the perfect balance of sustainability and quality.