A Legacy of Innovation: Over 140 Years of Wax Expertise

From its origins in 1878 to cutting-edge wax technologies today, Hywax has evolved through decades of expertise, innovation, and global partnerships - shaping the future of high-performance wax solutions.

1878

Foundation of "Deutsche Virginia-Vaseline-Fabrik Carl Hellfrisch & Co." in Offenbach, Germany

1878
1929

The new Owner, Otto Schünmann moves the business to Hamburg, Germany

1929
1942

Hans-Otto Schünmann, son of the owner, founds the Vaseline Refinery

1947

Construction of the new production facility at Port of Hamburg (Worthdamm)

1947
1951

Inauguration of Europe's first "de-oiling through sweating" facility and production of fully refined waxes

1951
1960

Construction of hydrogenation facility for petroleum jellies and micro waxes (G-station)

1960
1992

Second hydrogenation facility in Hamburg (H-station) put into service

1995

Foundation of SCHÜMANN SASOL International AG, a joint venture between Hans-Otto Schümann Group and Sasol Chemical Industries Ltd.'s wax division

1995
2001

SCHÜMANN SASOL becomes fully-owned subsidiary of Sasol Ltd. and is renamed Sasol Wax International AG

2003

Addition of the UK-based Birkenhead and Austria-based Linz facilities

2007

Sasol Wax sells its 31.3% stake in Paramelt to Schümann Wax

2009

Inauguration of third hydrogenation facility (I-station), increasing production capacity of waxes and petroleum jellies by 25%

2009
2014

Installation of a gas turbine cogeneration plant supplying cost-effective electricity for both Hamburg sites and steam supply to Worthdamm site with a low CO₂ footprint

2018

G-Station upgrade to produce FT-waxes

2022

Takeover by the AWAX Group, marking a new chapter of innovation. This strategic move unlocked increased focus on R&D, sustainable wax technologies, and led to the rebranding of Sasol Wax into Hywax.

2022
2024

Hywax implements the first plant in the world producing high-purity MOAH-free microwaxes.

2024

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