Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly Supplier – White Petrolatum from Türkiye & UAE
White Petrolatum USP · White Soft Paraffin BP / Ph. Eur. · CAS 8009-03-8
Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly Supplier for Ointment and Drug Manufacturers
SUHA International Trading is a pharmaceutical petroleum jelly supplier and exporter of bulk pharmaceutical petroleum jelly and pharma grade petrolatum from Türkiye and the UAE. Our pharmaceutical grade petroleum jelly is tested to USP, BP and Ph. Eur., comes in White, Snow White and Super Snow White colours, and ships in 175 kg drums with a certificate of analysis (COA) for every batch.
Short answer
Pharmaceutical petroleum jelly is highly refined white petrolatum that meets the USP White Petrolatum and BP / Ph. Eur. White Soft Paraffin monographs, including the limit on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Drug makers use it as an ointment base and skin protectant. SUHA supplies it in 175 kg steel or PE drums, 80 drums (14 MT) per 20ft or 128 drums (22.4 MT) per 40ft, loaded FOB Mersin or FOB Jebel Ali.
- What pharma grade petroleum jelly is
- White, Snow White, Super Snow White
- Specifications
- COA checker
- USP vs BP vs Ph. Eur.
- PAH testing and safety
- How it is refined
- Pharmaceutical uses
- Why choose SUHA
- Packaging and order planner
- Export markets and payment
- What sets the price
- How to qualify a supplier
- Storage and shelf life
- Our offices
- FAQ
Fundamentals
What Is Pharmaceutical Grade Petroleum Jelly?
Pharmaceutical grade petroleum jelly, also called pharma grade petrolatum or medical grade petroleum jelly, is a semi-solid blend of mineral oil and microcrystalline wax refined until it meets a pharmacopoeia monograph. The USP names it White Petrolatum; the British and European Pharmacopoeias name it White Soft Paraffin. It is an inactive ingredient (excipient), used to carry active ingredients and to protect the skin.
What makes a grade "pharmaceutical" is not its name but its test results: a tight consistency and congealing range, acidity and alkalinity within limits, and a PAH content below the pharmacopoeia's UV absorbance limit. Every batch we ship is tested against those limits and documented on its COA.
| Grade | Refining | Tested to | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical | Highest; PAH within monograph limit | USP, BP, Ph. Eur. | Ointments, skin protectants, wound care |
| Cosmetic | High; odourless, low colour | BP / ASTM methods | Creams, body jelly, lip and hair care |
| Industrial | Lower; light yellow | ASTM methods | Rust protection, cable filling, lubrication |
Compare the other grades on our petroleum jelly supplier page, or see cosmetic grade petroleum jelly and industrial petroleum jelly.
Colour options
Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly in White, Snow White and Super Snow White
Our pharmaceutical grade comes in three colours, measured on the Lovibond scale (IP 17). Colour reflects refining depth: the whiter the grade, the more aromatics have been removed. All three colours are tested to USP, BP and Ph. Eur.
White Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly
The standard pharma colour for ointment bases, skin protectants and general medicated products.
Snow White Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly
A brighter, more refined colour for baby care, eye-area products and premium ointments.
Super Snow White Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly
Our whitest colour, also sold as ultra snow white, for the most demanding formulations.
Specifications
Pharmaceutical Grade Petroleum Jelly Specifications
These are the accepted limits for our pharmaceutical grade, with the test method for each parameter. Every shipment carries its own batch COA showing the measured result against each limit.
| No. | Characteristic | Accepted limit | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinematic viscosity at 100 °C | 4.5 – 6 cSt | ASTM D-445 |
| 2 | Congealing point | 50 – 54 °C | ASTM D-938 |
| 3 | Penetration consistency | 185 – 190 (0.1 mm) | ASTM D-937 |
| 4 | Colour (Lovibond) | Max 0.7 Y | IP-17 Method A, 2 cell |
| 5 | Acidity or alkalinity | According to the test method | B.P. 2007 |
| 6 | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | Not more than the absorbance of a 6 mg/L naphthalene solution in DMSO at 278 nm | B.P. 2007 |
| 7 | Light absorbance, 0.05% w/v in trimethylpentane at 290 nm | Not more than 0.5 | B.P. 2007 |
Identity and regulatory data
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Pharmacopoeia names | White Petrolatum (USP) · White Soft Paraffin (BP, Ph. Eur.) |
| INCI name | Petrolatum |
| CAS / EC number | 8009-03-8 / 232-373-2 |
| HS code | 2712.10 (petroleum jelly) |
| Appearance | White, translucent, odourless semi-solid |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water |
| Shelf life | 3–5 years, by grade and storage |
Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly COA Checker
Enter the results from any supplier's COA. The checker compares them with our pharmaceutical grade limits so you can see at a glance whether a batch fits.
Pharmacopoeias
USP vs BP vs Ph. Eur.: Standards for Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly
Our pharmaceutical petroleum jelly is tested to all three pharmacopoeias, so one grade can be registered in the USA, the UK, the EU and the many markets that accept these standards.
| Standard | Monograph name | What it controls | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| USP (United States Pharmacopeia) | White Petrolatum | Melting range 38–60 °C, consistency 100–300, colour, acidity, alkalinity, residue on ignition, organic acids, fixed oils | USA and many export markets |
| BP (British Pharmacopoeia) | White Soft Paraffin | Acidity or alkalinity, PAH by UV absorbance, light absorbance, consistency | UK and many Commonwealth markets |
| Ph. Eur. (European Pharmacopoeia) | Paraffin, white soft | PAH by UV absorbance (limit lowered from 2023), consistency as a functionality characteristic | EU and other Council of Europe states |
USP White Petrolatum monograph limits
Alongside the BP tests in our analysis, pharmaceutical batches are checked against the USP White Petrolatum monograph. These are the official USP limits; our penetration window of 185–190 sits well inside the USP consistency range of 100–300.
| USP test | USP limit |
|---|---|
| Melting range (Class III) | 38–60 °C |
| Consistency (penetrometer, 25 °C) | 100–300 |
| Specific gravity at 60 °C | 0.815–0.880 |
| Residue on ignition | Not more than 0.05% |
| Organic acids | Not more than 400 µL of 0.1 N NaOH per 20 g |
| Fixed oils, fats and rosin | No oily or solid matter separates |
| Acidity and alkalinity | No pink or red colour with the indicators |
| Colour | Not darker than the ferric chloride standard |
The Ph. Eur., USP and Japanese Pharmacopoeia harmonised their soft paraffin texts; the revised Ph. Eur. monographs became binding on 1 January 2023. Sources: EDQM, USP White Petrolatum monograph.
Safety
PAH Testing: Why It Decides Pharma Grade Petrolatum
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are the compounds behind safety concerns about poorly refined petrolatum. Deep refining and hydrofinishing remove them, and the pharmacopoeias set a limit that every pharmaceutical batch must pass.
How it is tested
The PAH fraction is extracted into dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and its UV absorbance at 278 nm must not exceed that of a 6 mg/L naphthalene reference solution.
Light absorbance
A 0.05% w/v solution in trimethylpentane must show an absorbance of not more than 0.5 at 290 nm, a second check on aromatic content.
EU cosmetics rule
Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex II entry 904, allows petrolatum only when its full refining history is known and its source is shown not to be a carcinogen.
What you receive
A batch COA with the PAH and light absorbance results, plus refining-history documents for EU registrations on request.
Production
How Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly Is Refined
Pharma grade petrolatum starts as the same wax-rich lube fraction as industrial petroleum jelly. Extra refining steps remove colour, odour and aromatics until the product passes the pharmacopoeia limits.
- Vacuum distillation. Crude residue is split under vacuum to isolate heavy, wax-rich lube fractions.
- Solvent dewaxing. The soft petrolatum fraction is separated from oil and hard wax.
- Hydrofinishing. Hydrogen treatment under pressure removes sulfur, nitrogen and aromatic compounds, including PAHs.
- Adsorbent finishing. Clay or adsorbent filtration takes out remaining colour bodies and odour to reach White, Snow White or Super Snow White.
- Blending to specification. Oil and wax are balanced to hit the 185–190 penetration and 50–54 °C congealing windows.
- Pharmacopoeia testing and drumming. Each batch is tested to USP, BP and Ph. Eur., then filled into clean 175 kg drums and labelled.
Applications
Pharmaceutical Uses of Petroleum Jelly
As an excipient, pharmaceutical petrolatum is inert, contains no water, so it resists microbial growth, and forms an occlusive layer that keeps moisture in the skin. These are its main uses in drug and healthcare manufacturing.
| Application | Role of petroleum jelly | Usual colour |
|---|---|---|
| Topical ointments | Hydrocarbon base that carries antibiotics, antifungals and corticosteroids | White, Snow White |
| Skin protectants | Occlusive barrier for dry, chapped or irritated skin | White, Snow White |
| Wound care | Non-stick layer in dressings and petrolatum gauze | Snow White |
| Baby and nappy-rash products | Gentle barrier on sensitive skin | Snow White, Super Snow White |
| Eye and nasal ointment bases | Bland, non-irritating base; sterility is handled by the drug maker | Super Snow White |
| Medicated balms and lip care | Base for camphor, menthol and other actives | White, Snow White |
| Veterinary ointments | Base for udder, hoof and wound products | White |
Supplier
Why Drug Makers Choose SUHA as Their Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly Supplier
Pharma buyers need more than a product name. They need data they can file. This is what you receive from us on every order.
| What pharma buyers check | What SUHA provides |
|---|---|
| Pharmacopoeia compliance | Testing to USP, BP and Ph. Eur. for every pharmaceutical batch |
| Batch data | A COA with viscosity, congealing point, penetration, colour, acidity, PAH and light absorbance |
| Consistent consistency | A tight penetration window of 185–190, so your ointment feels the same batch after batch |
| Colour choice | White, Snow White and Super Snow White from one supplier |
| Documentation for registration | MSDS, certificate of origin and refining-history documents on request |
| Supply security | Two loading origins, Türkiye and the UAE, and road freight from Türkiye |
Documents with every shipment
- Certificate of analysis (COA) per batch
- Safety data sheet (MSDS)
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading, or CMR for road
- Certificate of origin
- Refining-history documents on request
Procurement
Packaging, MOQ and Container Loading
Bulk pharmaceutical petroleum jelly ships in 175 kg drums, steel or PE, sealed and palletised. Each drum is labelled with grade, colour, batch number, net weight and production date. The minimum order is one full container load, 20ft or 40ft.
| Container | Drums (175 kg) | Net weight | Drum type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft | 80 | 14 MT | Steel or PE |
| 40ft | 128 | 22.4 MT | Steel or PE |
Pharma Petroleum Jelly Order Planner
Enter the tonnage you need and choose a container. The planner shows the number of drums and containers.
Logistics
Export Markets, Incoterms and Payment Terms
As a pharmaceutical petroleum jelly exporter, we load FOB Mersin (Türkiye) and FOB Jebel Ali (UAE), and move cargo by truck from Türkiye to neighbouring markets. CFR, CIF, EXW and DAP terms are available.
| Region | Example markets | Usual loading |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Poland, Germany | FOB Mersin or truck from Türkiye |
| Black Sea and Caucasus | Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan | FOB Mersin or truck from Türkiye |
| North Africa | Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco | FOB Mersin |
| West and Central Africa | Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire | FOB Mersin |
| East Africa | Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia | FOB Jebel Ali |
| Middle East and Gulf | Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan | FOB Jebel Ali or truck from Türkiye |
| South Asia | Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka | FOB Jebel Ali |
Payment terms
T/T, L/C at sight or D/P, agreed on the proforma invoice.
Incoterms
FOB, CFR, CIF, EXW and DAP. CFR and CIF are quoted to your discharge port.
Africa
Routes, regulators and documents by country are on our petroleum jelly supplier Africa page.
Pricing
What Sets the Price of Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly?
We quote each order on request, because the pharmaceutical petroleum jelly price depends on colour, testing and route.
Colour
Snow White and Super Snow White take more refining than White, so they cost more per tonne.
Pharmacopoeia testing
Full USP, BP and Ph. Eur. testing and extra reports are part of the pharma grade cost.
Volume
Wholesale multi-container and contract orders are priced below single-container spot orders.
Incoterm and freight
FOB, CFR and CIF prices differ by sea freight, insurance and destination port.
Feedstock market
Refinery prices for base oil and wax move petrolatum prices month to month.
Buyer checklist
How to Qualify a Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly Supplier
Before you approve a new source for a registered product, ask for these items. A reliable pharmaceutical petroleum jelly supplier provides all of them before the first shipment.
- A recent batch COA for the exact grade and colour
- The pharmacopoeia edition each test follows
- PAH (278 nm) and light absorbance (290 nm) results
- Penetration and congealing ranges that match your formula
- MSDS and refining-history documents for registration
- Drum type, drums per container and labelling in writing
Send us your specification and we will confirm, before you order, which colour and batch data match it.
Send your specificationHandling
Storage, Handling and Shelf Life
Pharmaceutical petrolatum is stable in storage. Good practice keeps colour, consistency and cleanliness within specification for its full shelf life.
Shelf life
3–5 years from production, depending on grade and storage conditions.
Storage
Keep drums sealed, upright and out of direct sun in a clean, dry, ventilated warehouse.
Heat
Avoid long exposure to high heat, which softens the product and can darken its colour.
Hygiene
Open drums only in a clean area with dedicated tools, and reseal partly used drums at once.
Supplier
Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly Supplier with Offices in Dubai and Türkiye
SUHA International Trading supplies pharmaceutical petroleum jelly to drug manufacturers, importers and distributors from our head office in Business Bay, Dubai, and our Türkiye office in Ankara. More about our company
Dubai Office
Office 2305, Burlington Tower,Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Open in Google Maps
Ankara Office
Karşıyaka District, 749 Street, No 30,Gölbaşı, Ankara 06830, Türkiye Open in Google Maps
Explore related grades
Meetings at either office are by appointment. Content reviewed 25 October 2026 by the SUHA International export desk.
FAQ
Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly Supplier FAQ
What does a pharmaceutical petroleum jelly supplier provide?
A pharmaceutical petroleum jelly supplier provides white petrolatum tested to a pharmacopoeia, with a batch certificate of analysis and the documents needed for drug registration. SUHA International supplies pharma grade petroleum jelly tested to USP, BP and Ph. Eur., in White, Snow White and Super Snow White, in 175 kg steel or PE drums from Türkiye and the UAE.
What is pharmaceutical grade petroleum jelly?
Pharmaceutical grade petroleum jelly is highly refined white petrolatum that meets the USP White Petrolatum or BP / Ph. Eur. White Soft Paraffin monograph. It is used as an inactive ingredient in ointments and skin protectants, and its PAH content must stay below the pharmacopoeia UV absorbance limit.
What is the difference between pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial petroleum jelly?
The difference is refining depth and testing. Pharmaceutical grade is refined furthest and tested to USP, BP or Ph. Eur., including PAH limits. Cosmetic grade is odourless and low in colour for personal care. Industrial grade is light yellow and used for rust protection, cable filling and lubrication.
Which pharmacopoeia standards does your pharmaceutical petroleum jelly meet?
Our pharmaceutical petroleum jelly is tested to all three major pharmacopoeias: the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). The batch COA shows the result for each test.
What is the difference between White Petrolatum USP and White Soft Paraffin BP?
They are the same material named by different pharmacopoeias. White Petrolatum is the USP name, and White Soft Paraffin is the BP and Ph. Eur. name. The monographs were harmonised, and the revised Ph. Eur. texts with a lower PAH limit have applied since 1 January 2023.
Is pharmaceutical petroleum jelly safe?
Yes. Pharmaceutical petroleum jelly is refined to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the compounds behind safety concerns about crude petrolatum, and every batch must pass the pharmacopoeia UV absorbance limit. That is why it is used in ointments, wound care and baby products.
How is PAH content tested in petroleum jelly?
Under the BP method, the aromatic fraction is extracted into dimethyl sulfoxide and its UV absorbance at 278 nm must not exceed that of a 6 mg/L naphthalene solution. A second check measures light absorbance of a 0.05% w/v solution in trimethylpentane at 290 nm, which must be not more than 0.5.
What colours of pharmaceutical petroleum jelly do you supply?
We supply pharmaceutical petroleum jelly in three colours: White, Snow White and Super Snow White. All three are tested to USP, BP and Ph. Eur.; the whiter colours are refined further and suit baby care, eye-area and premium products.
What are the specifications of your pharmaceutical grade petroleum jelly?
Our pharmaceutical grade has a kinematic viscosity at 100 °C of 4.5 to 6 cSt (ASTM D-445), a congealing point of 50 to 54 °C (ASTM D-938), a penetration of 185 to 190 (ASTM D-937) and a colour of max 0.7 Y Lovibond (IP-17). Acidity or alkalinity, PAH and light absorbance are tested by the B.P. method.
Why is petroleum jelly used as an ointment base?
Petroleum jelly is chemically inert, contains no water and forms an occlusive layer on the skin. It carries active ingredients without reacting with them, keeps moisture in the skin and stays stable for years, which makes it the standard hydrocarbon ointment base.
Can pharmaceutical petroleum jelly be used in eye ointments?
White petrolatum is widely used as a base in eye and nasal ointments because it is bland and non-irritating. Drug makers usually choose the whitest colour, such as Super Snow White, and carry out sterilisation and product testing themselves.
What are the CAS number and HS code for pharmaceutical petroleum jelly?
Pharmaceutical petroleum jelly is CAS 8009-03-8 and EC 232-373-2, classified under HS code 2712.10 (petroleum jelly). Its INCI name is Petrolatum.
What is the minimum order for pharmaceutical petroleum jelly?
The minimum order is one full container load. A 20ft container holds 80 drums of 175 kg, which is 14 MT net, and a 40ft container holds 128 drums, which is 22.4 MT net.
How is pharmaceutical petroleum jelly packed?
It is packed in 175 kg net drums, either new steel drums or PE drums. Each drum is sealed, palletised and labelled with grade, colour, batch number, weight and production date.
What is the shelf life of pharmaceutical petroleum jelly?
Shelf life is 3 to 5 years from production, depending on grade and storage. Keep drums sealed, upright and out of direct sun in a clean, dry warehouse.
What documents come with each pharmaceutical petroleum jelly shipment?
Each shipment includes a batch certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Refining-history documents for EU registrations are available on request.
How is the price of pharmaceutical petroleum jelly set?
The price depends on colour (White, Snow White or Super Snow White), pharmacopoeia testing, order volume, Incoterm and destination port, and on refinery prices for base oil and wax. We quote each order on request; send your colour, quantity and port for a current offer.
What payment terms do you accept for pharmaceutical petroleum jelly?
We accept T/T, L/C at sight or D/P, agreed on the proforma invoice for each order.
Do you export pharmaceutical petroleum jelly to Europe and Africa?
Yes. We load FOB Mersin for Europe, the Black Sea and North Africa, and FOB Jebel Ali for the Gulf, East Africa and South Asia, with CFR, CIF and DAP terms available and road freight from Türkiye.
Request a Pharmaceutical Petroleum Jelly Quote
Send us five details and our desk in Dubai or Ankara will reply with the matching colour, a recent batch COA and a FOB Mersin or Jebel Ali offer.
- Colour: White, Snow White or Super Snow White
- Pharmacopoeia: USP, BP or Ph. Eur.
- Drum type: steel or PE
- Quantity and containers
- Destination port