In the past, candles were very popular household tools. They were present in many houses across Europe (and the western world, in general), because back then, candles were some of the only forms of indoor lighting. However, the invention of the electric light bulb changed the game, and candles went into decline for quite some time.
These days, candles are back in business, thanks to the popularity of scented candles and their usage in aromatherapy. Therefore, there are many more candle manufacturers at the present time, compared to a few years ago.
CANDLES AND EUROPE
Candles have a long history in Europe. Candles have been around for a long time, from the earliest kinds of candles, which were made from insects wrapped in paper to boiled down fat (i.e. tallow). The use of candles in Europe can be traced all the way back to 500 BCE, when the Romans are said to have first started making dipped candles from rendered animal fat (i.e. tallow).
Tallow candles are particularly important in the history of candles in Europe, because they were very popular for the longest time. However, they did not burn cleanly (i.e. they produced a lot of soot when burning), and they are known to release the smell of burning fat when they burn (a particularly unpleasant odor, which tended to linger in the air after a candle has been burned).
Beeswax is another type of candle of great renown in Europe. Unlike tallow, beeswax has a reputation of burning cleanly, with the production of little to no soot, and a stable flame that is not smoky. Beeswax also burned without the production of any unpleasant aromas. However, it was much more expensive than tallow candles.
THE BIGGEST CANDLE MANUFACTURERS IN EUROPE
Some of the biggest manufacturers of candles in Europe include the following:
- Baltic Candles
Baltic Candles is a brand that is almost 100 years old, which means that they have a great wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of candle making. It is one of the largest candle manufacturers in the Baltic States and Europe. Every year, over 5 000 tons of candles are produced by this company. And they specialize in the production of both candles that can be used indoors and those that are more suitable for the outdoors.
- Duni
Duni is a privately owned company that boasts a remarkable expertise in candle production (however, the group – Duni Group – is also listed on NASDAQ Stockholm). Apart from candles, Duni Group also specializes in the production of different types of consumer goods. They also happen to be a great source of innovative products for both take-away and the table. Duni provides products of premium quality that also happen to be environmentally sustainable, including packaging items for take-away, napkins etc.
- Vollmar GmbH
Vollmar GmbH is a German company that specializes in the production of candles. One interesting thing to note about this company is the fact that it was initially established as a fishing operation in the year 1910. The company has over 200 workers, who aid the production of over 50 000 candles every year. They are very popular in the European market.
- Bolsius International
Bolsius International is a company in the Netherlands, which is a major candle manufacturer in the European market. It was founded in 1870 (over 150 years ago) by the Bolsius brothers, who built an excellent reputation for themselves in the production of church candles. . Due to their service – i.e. the production of church candles – the church granted them the merit of the papal purveyor.
Although, the company ran into a lot of difficulties in the 1970s, they still remain a notable name in the European candle making business.
- KORONA Candles
KORONA Candles is one of the biggest candle manufacturers in Europe, with over 850 workers. It is a privately held company that has made a good name for itself in the European market. The company was founded in 1995, and its headquarters is situated in Poland. There are branches in USA (i.e. Korona Candles Inc.). It also produces items such as wax melts, tea lights, essential oils, private label, décor, reed diffusers and fragrance.
- Hansa Candle
Hansa Candle is a candle making company that was founded in 1996. The factory is in Viljandi, Estonia, and it is dedicated to the production of premium quality products, which they sell in about 15 countries. This company has over 140 employees and they make around 500 million dollars. This company specializes in the production of different kinds of candles, including those from natural raw substances and paraffin wax.
- Ceras Roura
Ceras Roura is a family-owned organization which specializes in the production and sales of a wide variety of candles and candle related items. This company was first founded in 1912, meaning they have over 100 years of experience in their chosen field (i.e. candle making). They have various distribution chains and are well known for their innovation. This company manufactures over 3 000 tons of candles each year.
- Candle Scandinavia
Candle Scandinavia is one of the biggest producers of candles in Scandinavia, particularly those with completely natural wax. Founded in 2009, the company is fairly young in comparison with most of the others on the list. The founders of Candle Scandinavia are Viktor and Nina Garmiani, and they have built a solid reputation in the European market with their brand, which is produced from local rapeseed oil, and tailored for every customer. What sets Candles Scandinvia apart is their dedication to the production of sustainable, plant-based, premium scented candles. And so far, they have become the biggest candle maker in Scandinavia, having over 60 workers, and making more than 10 million dollars in net profit.
- Contract Candles
Contract Candles is a family-run diffuser and candle making company. It is highly dedicated to the production of high quality products, which are designed to suit the customers’ tastes. The company was founded in 1997, and initially, it was a contract packer for big British candle producers. Eventually, things evolved from there, and the company started making luxury diffusers and candles in South East England.
