Notwithstanding, the C. Prunifera is the
only one found in the Brazilian Northeast with
a larger incidence in Ceará, Piauí and,
Rio Grande do Norte States.
The Carnauba growing is a perfect example
of a sustainable natural sources use, as
the Carnauba
Wax extraction and improvement go after the
following process:
The
wax powder is extracted from the Copernicia Prunifera
leaves on harvest time, from August to December,
without attacking the environment and preserving
the palms integrity, as only the foliage is cut,
which will grow up again on the next season.
The
leaves’ cut is just a pruning. It does
not damage the palm and delays its aging.
After
the leaves’ cut, they are exposed to
sun for drying.
When
they are well dried, they are “beaten" to
extract the wax powder. The straws’ scrap
will be transformed into organic manure.
This
powder is cooked and filtered in big wood presses
(primitive process used by rural producers) or
in solvent extractors, resulting the Carnauba
Wax, which later will be classified and refined
in the
exporting industries.
In
the raw wax production, water is used as solvent.
The
scraps from the Carnauba Wax filtration with
solvent in the industries are recycled, producing
wax and
organic manure (bagana).
In
the bleaching process, the hydrogen peroxide
reaction liberates in the environment water (water
steam)
and oxygen.
The Carnauba Wax could be commercialized in
powder, flakes or lumps. All Carnauba Wax’s
production processes are minutely monitored
by highly specialized professionals.
Beyond its industrial value, the Carnauba Wax
is a high social product, as it requires a
big volume of labors in the arid season, keeping
the rural producer in the meadow.
