What it is
Resin secreted by lac insects on palash, ber and kusum trees. Stick lac is processed into seed lac and shellac for varnish, polish, bangles, food glaze and electrical insulation.
Stick lac, seed lac, shellac (flakes), button lacDewaxed and bleached shellacKusmi and rangeeni lac
Where India produces it
- JharkhandKhunti
Jharkhand produces about 57% of India's lac (PIB, 2019); Khunti is a lac cultivation and processing district.
- Madhya Pradesh
About 24% of India's lac (PIB, 2019).
- West BengalPurulia
Lac cultivation and shellac manufacturing; West Bengal, Maharashtra and Odisha make up the remaining 19%.
Storage and handling
Store stick lac in a cool, airy place in thin layers; it lumps (blocks) in heat. Shellac flakes keep best in sealed, cool storage.
Businesses that use it
Lac Production →Lac Bangle Making →Shellac Varnish (French Polish) Making →Shellac Insulating Varnish (Air-Drying) →Gasket Shellac Compound (Gasket Cement) →