What is Lac & Shellac?
Lac is the resinous secretion of the Lac insect, known as Laccifer Lacca, a parasite that forms incrusation on the branches of certain trees. On completion of incrustation, it is separated from the branches either by breaking by hand or scraping with a knife. Lac in this form is known as Sticklac and brought to Shellac processing plant for refining and processing. Seedlac: It is a semi-processed product derived after washing crushed Sticklac with water. This product is in granule form and is a raw material for manufacturing different grades of Shellac, Buttonlac and Bleached Lac, Dewaxed shellac & Aleuritic Acid etc. Seedlac in granule form is also exported, which is mainly used for processing Bleached Lac for use in colourless polishes and nitrocellulose lacquers. Lac Dye: When Sticklac is crushed and washed with water, the water-soluble Lac Dye is dissolved out in small quantity after several processes. This Dye is purely natural and hence called Natural Lac Dye. Shellac: Seedlac is
