The Problem with Paraffin

Most commercial candles are made from paraffin wax — a byproduct of petroleum refining. When burned, paraffin releases toluene and benzene, the same chemicals found in diesel exhaust. It is effective at holding fragrance and producing a bright flame, but the cost to air quality is real.

Enter Soy Wax

Soy wax is derived from soybean oil — a renewable, biodegradable resource. It burns 30–50% longer than paraffin at the same volume because of its lower melting point. The flame is steadier, the scent throw is cleaner, and the wax pool melts evenly to the edges of the vessel.

"A candle should add to a room, not subtract from it."

Our Pour Process

We hand-pour each candle at precisely 55°C — the optimal temperature for soy wax adhesion to our concrete vessels. The wax is sourced from European-grown soybeans, processed without hydrogenation. We add fragrance oils at the cool-down phase to preserve the integrity of the scent profile.

Each wick is cotton, sized specifically to the diameter of our vessels. This means no mushrooming, no soot, no black residue on the concrete. Just a clean, even burn that lasts 40+ hours in our standard size.

The Afterlife of a Moncada Candle

When the wax is spent, the concrete vessel remains. Wash it with warm water and soap, and you have a planter, a pen holder, a catch-all for your bedside. This is not an afterthought — it is the design intention. We create objects meant to outlive their first purpose.