What The International Group does

The International Group, Inc. (IGI Wax) is a privately held manufacturer and supplier of petroleum-derived and plant-derived waxes headquartered at 50 Salome Drive, Toronto, Canada, with a USA mailing address in Titusville, Pennsylvania. The company operates integrated manufacturing and refining capabilities producing paraffin wax (fully refined and semi-refined), microcrystalline wax, petrolatum, slack wax, and a portfolio of natural waxes including soy, rice bran, palm (RSPO-certified), carnauba, and candelilla. It also operates the Enviro Coatings sub-brand, which markets water-based barrier emulsions (Aquaban, Barrier-Grip, Vapor-Guard) for paper and corrugated packaging. IGI provides custom wax blending and contract manufacturing services that engineer proprietary grades with customer-specified melting points, oil content, hardness, and performance attributes.

The company's commercial model is direct B2B sales to industrial manufacturers and procurement teams, supported by consultative technical engagement (specification review, sample shipment, pilot trials, formulation support), an active technical content marketing program (blog, TDS/SDS/COA documentation), and presence at industry trade events including the 2025 World Candle Congress. It serves eight primary customer segments: candles and decorative products, food packaging and coatings, rubber and tire compounding, cosmetics and personal care, adhesives/sealants/inks, industrial lubricants and electrical insulation, construction and building materials, and paper and corrugated packaging. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; standard grades follow unit pricing with rapid stock-shipment fulfillment, while custom blending services are project-priced under multi-year contracts.

Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed. The company cites thousands of global clients, ISO 14001 certification at the Toronto plant, FDA 21 CFR 178.3710 food-contact compliance, Kosher certification, BPI Certified Compostable grades, and REACH compliance as regulatory and quality differentiators. IGI employs 501-1,000 people and is incorporated under U.S. domestic law as The International Group, Inc., with a related entity International Waxes, Inc. (IWI). The company has no disclosed venture or private equity backing and operates as an independent private corporation.

Name

The International Group

Legal name

The International Group, Inc.

Website

https://igiwax.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The International Group (IGI Wax) is a Toronto-based manufacturer and global supplier of petroleum and plant-derived waxes, water-based barrier coatings, and custom wax blends serving industrial customers across candles, food packaging, rubber, cosmetics, adhesives, and paper packaging.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Waxes

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Fats & Oils (2070)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Carbon & Pitch Products (Petroleum Pitch, Carbon Binders for Anodes) (EUALAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scented Candles & Wax Melts (Home Fragrance) (CRAJAEAD), Bath & Shower Products (Soaps, Body Wash, Bath Additives) (CRADANAB)

Keywords

• Industrial wax manufacturing
• Paraffin wax supply
• Petroleum wax refining
• Microcrystalline wax products
• Custom wax blending

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Petroleum Wax Products: Sale of refined petroleum waxes including paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, petrolatum, and slack wax in various grades, melting points, oil content levels, and color specifications. Products available in slab, pellet, pastille, granule, and bulk liquid formats.
2. Natural and Plant-Derived Waxes: Sale of natural waxes including carnauba, candelilla, palm, soy, and rice bran waxes, sourced from audited global suppliers. Products are USDA Biobased certified and REACH-compliant where applicable.
3. Water-Based Emulsion Products: Sale of water-based emulsion products under the Enviro Coatings brand (Aquaban, Barrier-Grip, Vapor-Guard) for paper packaging barrier coatings.
4. Custom Wax Blending and Contract Manufacturing: Custom blending services to engineer proprietary wax grades and contract manufacturing support, creating tailored melting points, oil content, hardness, and performance specifications for customer-specific applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The International Group (IGI) manufactures and supplies refined petroleum waxes including paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, and petrolatum, alongside natural and plant-derived waxes (soy, rice bran, palm, carnauba, candelilla) and water-based emulsion barrier coatings sold under the Enviro Coatings brand (Aquaban, Barrier-Grip, Vapor-Guard). The company also produces specialty pre-blended candle waxes (IGI 6006A, 6027A, 1288B) and offers contract manufacturing and custom wax blending services to industrial buyers across candles, food packaging, rubber and tires, cosmetics, adhesives, inks, paints and coatings, paper and corrugated, building materials, plastics, and agriculture.

Product overview

The International Group (IGI) is a wax supplier and manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of petroleum-derived and plant-derived wax products. The core product line includes paraffin wax (fully refined and semi-refined grades), microcrystalline wax, natural/plant-derived waxes (soy, rice bran, palm, carnauba, candelilla), water-based emulsions, and petrolatum. These are complemented by the Enviro-Coatings sub-brand featuring water-based barrier coatings: Aquaban® (water repellency), Barrier-Grip® (grease resistance), and Vapor-Guard® (vapor control) for paper and corrugated packaging. IGI also provides specialty candle wax blends including IGI 6006A, IGI 6027A, and IGI 1288B, as well as contract manufacturing and custom wax blending services. The company operates manufacturing and distribution capabilities with headquarters in Toronto, Ontario and serves customers across multiple industries including packaging, candles, cosmetics, adhesives, rubber, and coatings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Enviro Coatings: Water-based barrier coatings for paper and corrugated substrates, including Aquaban, Barrier Grip, and Vapor Guard product lines.
• IGI 6006A
• IGI 6027A
• IGI 1288B

Products and services

• Paraffin Wax Petroleum-derived wax with high crystallinity, clarity, and controllable melting points, available in fully refined and semi-refined grades with many FDA-approved grades for food coatings and packaging applications. Sold to industrial manufacturers in candle, food packaging, rubber, cosmetics, and adhesive industries.
• Microcrystalline Wax Petroleum-derived wax offering higher flexibility, adhesion, and oil retention than paraffin wax, suited for cosmetics, adhesives, rubbers, and electrical applications. Sold to industrial manufacturers across multiple industries.
• Petrolatum Microcrystalline petroleum wax with medium hardness, used in industrial lubricants, protective coatings, and formulation extenders. Sold to industrial manufacturers.
• Natural and Plant-Derived Waxes Plant-based wax alternatives including soy wax, rice bran wax, palm wax, carnauba wax, and candelilla wax sold for sustainability-focused applications. Palm wax options available with RSPO certification, and products are USDA Biobased label and REACH-compliant where applicable.
• Water-Based Emulsions (Enviro Coatings brand) Water-based coating technologies sold to industrial manufacturers for use in paints, adhesives, textiles, paper, construction, and packaging applications. Includes Aquaban, Barrier-Grip, and Vapor-Guard formulations.
• Aquaban Water-Based Emulsion Water-based emulsion coating designed to improve water resistance in paper and corrugated packaging applications. Formulated to remain compatible with recycling and repulping processes. Sold to paper and packaging manufacturers.
• Barrier-Grip Water-Based Emulsion Water-based emulsion coating designed for applications requiring resistance to grease or oil penetration, positioned as an alternative to traditional barrier materials for packaging formats where recyclability is a specification requirement. Sold to paper and packaging manufacturers.
• Vapor-Guard Water-Based Emulsion Water-based emulsion coating designed to reduce moisture vapor transmission through packaging materials, used in applications where humidity exposure during storage or transit is a primary concern. Sold to paper and packaging manufacturers.
• IGI 6006A Candle Wax Blend Pre-blended container candle formulation combining paraffin and soy wax, engineered for fragrance load and clean burn performance. Sold to candle manufacturers.
• IGI 6027A Candle Wax Blend Innovative container candle blend combining paraffin, soy, and coconut wax, designed for container candle applications. Sold to candle manufacturers.
• IGI 1288B Mottling Candle Wax High-quality fully refined mottling paraffin for container candles, providing clean burn and long-lasting hot throw for mottling candle effects. Sold to candle manufacturers.
• Contract Manufacturing Services Custom manufacturing services for wax products and formulations tailored to specific customer requirements, providing end-to-end support from production through quality control. Sold to industrial buyers requiring bespoke wax manufacturing.
• Custom Wax Blending Services Custom wax blending services to create proprietary formulations, modify melting points, and engineer specific physical properties such as oil content, hardness, and performance characteristics. Includes technical consultation, formulation support, and sample shipment for trials. Sold to industrial buyers under multi-year contracts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cut scrap by 15% by switching to a rice bran wax blend (OEM customer case)

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sasol (Sasolwax): Sasol's wax division is one of the world's largest producers of paraffin, microcrystalline, and synthetic waxes from coal- and petroleum-derived feedstocks — directly comparable to IGI's petroleum wax refining and fractionation core.
• Strahl & Pitsch: Specialty wax blender and supplier of natural, synthetic, and refined petroleum waxes to candles, cosmetics, and industrial markets — highly comparable in product portfolio and custom-blending business model to IGI.
• Koster Keunen: Specialty wax manufacturer focused on natural and synthetic wax blends for cosmetics, candles, and industrial applications — comparable in horizontal segmentation and custom-blending orientation.
• Paramelt: Global supplier of wax-based specialty products including adhesives, coatings, and packaging hot-melt applications — overlapping with IGI's adhesive, packaging, and custom-blending capabilities.
• Michelman: Developer of water-based barrier and functional coatings for paper and packaging substrates — directly comparable to IGI's Enviro Coatings line (Aquaban, Barrier-Grip, Vapor-Guard) in sustainable packaging technology.

Broad incumbents

• Calumet Specialty Products Partners: Diversified specialty petroleum products manufacturer producing lubricating oils, solvents, and waxes — broader portfolio than IGI but operates in adjacent petroleum specialty space with similar feedstocks and customer base.
• Shell Waxes (Shell Petroleum): Integrated oil major producing refined paraffin and microcrystalline waxes as part of its broader specialty products business — overlaps with IGI's petroleum wax offering but as one line among many.
• Cargill: Major agricultural commodity processor supplying plant-derived waxes and oils (including palm and soy) for cosmetics, food, and industrial applications — directly comparable to IGI's natural and plant-derived wax portfolio.
• Evonik Industries: Global specialty chemicals company producing specialty waxes, additives, and coatings — broad portfolio overlap with IGI's industrial wax and additives business across cosmetics, coatings, and adhesives.
• Clariant: Swiss specialty chemicals manufacturer with wax and additives offerings serving personal care, coatings, and industrial markets — comparable in customer base and regulatory-driven specialty chemical positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-international-group
• Xx.com/IgiWax

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The International Group