A new UNIQUAC based predictive local composition model is here compared against predictive Wilson and predictive modified UNIQUAC on their abilities to predict wax formation. For that purpose a very large database of phase equilibrium data of both synthetic and real hydrocarbon fluids, at both low and high pressures, will be used. It is shown that the new UNIQUAC model does not suffer from the limitations, or is much less affected by them, than the models previously proposed. The global description of the phase equilibrium for all the systems studied is also significantly superior to the two other models. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.