Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from soy beans, or more correctly, from the oil of soybeans.
The oil is extracted and treated in what is called a hydrogenation process that converts fatty acids in the oil from an unsaturated to a saturated state.
This alters the melting point of the oil and it acquires a solid state at room temperature.
Characteristics of soy wax

• It is a renewable resource.
  
• It is neither toxic, nor carcinogenic.
  
• It burns evenly with a steady flame; it also burns cooler and slower than paraffin or gel wax.
  

How to buy soy wax Candle supply shops sell soy wax in kit form.
Here are some examples of what is available.

• Wax for votive and container candles available as wax beads.
  
• Container wax blends supplied complete with fragrance oil and colouring.
  
• Parasoy kits that contain a mixture of soy and paraffin wax.
  

You can buy additives separately, for example:

• Soy coated wicks.
  
• Soy dye chips.
  
• Candle moulds.
  

What type of wax to choose The main thing that you need to consider is what type of candle you want to make.
Here are some considerations you need to discuss with your soy wax supplier:

• Pillar candles need to be hard because they are not placed in a container and must stand on their own while burning.
  
• Container was can be softer than pillar wax.
  Your main consideration with container wax is the ability of the wax to emit fragrance as a result of any fragrance oil you mix with the wax.
  Be aware that container wax will not release out of a container because it is too soft and sticky.
  
• Your next consideration is the appearance of the finished candle.
  Fragrance oil adds a frosty look to the wax when cooled.
  You may, then, decide to sacrifice some fragrance in favour of a less frosty looking candle.
  
• Votive candles are a hybrid between pillar and container candles.
  They need to be hard but are normally burned in a container and the wax can be softer like container wax.