CALFORD ALX



CALFORD® ALX 8400, 8418 HX-1, 8426 HX-1, and 8430 are pre-formed thickeners in a viscous liquid format used to manufacture aluminum complex greases. These poly-oxo-aluminum-stearates are dissolved in mineral oil raffinate (8400), white oil (8418 HX-1), PAO (8426), and naphthenic oil (8430). The grease manufacturing process is fast and simple, requiring only the addition of the ALX and benzoic acid to the base oil. No significant alcohol is released during grease production, resulting in reduced fire hazard. ALX 8400 is for industrial applications and ALX 8418 HX-1 and ALX 8426 are NSF HX-1 listed for use in the manufacture of H1 grease (incidental food contact), and are Kosher and Halal certified.

This formula can be customized. Find out how


Key Features
  • Significantly reduced fire hazard (no alcohol released)
  • No alcohol condensation system required
  • Accurate, consistent, reproducible grease production
  • Quick & simple (base oil, benzoic acid, thickener)
  • Can use conventional grease making equipment
  • HX-1 listed (8418, 8426)
  • Halal and Kosher versions available


Certifications
  • Kosher and Halal
  • NSF HX-1 Listed

How Trials Work

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Understanding

Is your current product improving your processing downstream? Is your current product increasing your downtime, is it messy – foaming, dusting, not coating, are you changing solids regularly?

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Recommendation

Our experts will recommend the right product for your process.

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Run the Trial

We provide in plant support before, during and after the trial. Our goal is to give our customers real solutions that save time and money.

What makes Blachford the category leader in pre-formed thickeners?

A century of specialty stearates expertise, ISO 9001 North American manufacturing, HX-1 options, and a portfolio engineered for faster cycles, lower energy, and repeatable quality at scale.
Fully saponified, dehydrated soaps that go straight into base oils—eliminating in-situ saponification and the extra time, high heat, and water-removal it requires.
Hours instead of days, lower energy use (no water removal), tighter batch-to-batch consistency, and easier formulating with heat-sensitive esters, synthetics, and vegetable oils.
Yes—HX-1 food-grade thickeners, NSF-registered, to support food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications.
Yes—sodium, calcium, aluminum complex, and polyurea systems are available to meet performance and compliance targets where lithium isn’t preferred.
Grease manufacturers, lubricant blenders, toll processors, and OEMs serving automotive, rail, industrial, food, and specialty markets.
Low-dust, easy-to-disperse materials that support cleaner handling and more predictable processing.
No—standard kettle and mixing setups are typical; we provide usage guidance to speed trials and scale-up.
ISO 9001 facilities in North America, proven global supply, and application support that helps lock in specs and maintain consistent output.

Momentum That Moves Your Profit Margin

Eliminate bottlenecks and boost profit with patented additives and 90+ years of global innovation.

  • 30+

    Countries Served

  • 3

    Global Manufacturing Locations

  • 200+

    Patents Granted

  • 4B

    Gallons of Lubricant Delivered Annually

  • 90+

    Global Manufacturing Locations

  • 1

    Academy Award