Chemically, the esters are formed of chains with 46 up to 60 carbon atoms, the majority of alcohols and acids having 26 or 28 carbon atoms. The purified wax is used to make candles and polish. The esters are formed of chains of 28 up to 34 carbon atoms. This wax is used in varnish industry and may replace carnauba wax. The frontal organ, used as a sonar by the animal, contains about 3 tons spermaceti for a 15 meters animal.
Purified spermaceti has an aspect of a light mass of white crystals which can be powdered.
Spermaceti was used in cosmetic and pharmacy but, after the recent international regulation concerning whale captures, it is no longer produced and sold. It is now replaced by synthetic spermaceti made of pure cetyl palmitate. This material is secreted by sheep sebaceous glands and collected from crude wool by detergent washing. Industries use sulfonated or hydrogenated oil as lubrificant. This wax is found in Galicia, Russia, Iran, and United States.