SOAP AND DETERGENT INDUSTRY REVIEWER

SOAP AND DETERGENT INDUSTRY – Includes companies

that are primarily engaged in manufacturing soap synthetic
2. STRAIGHT-CHAIN ALKYLBENZENE
organic detergents, inorganic alkaline detergents, and crude
- Consists of a benzene ring (C6H5) attached to a
and refined glycerin from vegetable oils and animal fats.
straight chain hydrocarbon chain.
- This industry has experienced many changes in raw - Linear alkylbenzene (LAB) is colorless, mildly
materials. odorous liquid, insoluble in water but soluble in
- The use of soap is an indication of a country’s organic solvents.
standard of living. - LAB is stable, non-reactive under normal conditions,
and lacks inherent surface-active properties.
- LAB is primarily for producing Linear alkylbenzene
HISTORY OF SOAP sulfonate (LAS)
- LAS is a biodegradable surfactant used in detergent,
- Soap was not discovered
shampoos, and soaps.
- Soap gradually evolved from crude mixtures of
- LAB is also utilized in lube oil additives, plasticizers,
alkaline and fatty materials.
and rubber chemicals.
- 1st Century: Pliny the Elder described soap making
- LAB is not easily biodegradable
- 13th Century: Soap production reached an industrial
- LAS is designed to be more eco-friendly.
scale.
- Until the 1800’s: Soap was though to be a 3. FATTY ACIDS
mechanical mixture.
- PRIMARY ROLE: Surfactant building blocks
- Chevreul: French chemist who demonstrated that
- Carboxyl group (-COOH) readily reacts with various
soap is a chemical reaction.
chemicals to form different types of surfactants.
- Domeier: Researched glycerol recovery
- SHORTER CHAIN LENGTH: More soluble and
- Leblanc: Discovered cost-effective sodium
lathering detergents
carbonate production from sodium chloride.
- LONGER CHAIN LENGTH: Better cleaning power and
- WW1: Shortage in soap led Germans to create
hardness.
synthetic soap with short-chain alkyl naphthalene
- SATURATED: harder and less lathering detergents.
sulfonates
- UNSATURATED: Softer more lathering detergents.
- 1920’s – 1930’s: Development advanced to long-
- Ex: Coconut oil, tallow (animal fat)
chain alcohol sufates.
- 1940’s: Development continued with alkyl-aryl long- 4. FATTY ALCOHOLS
chain sulfonates.
- PRIMARY ROLE: Thickening and pearlescent agents.
- 1950’s-1960’s: Development progressed to
- Thicken detergents, improve consistency, and
branched-chain compounds.
prevent separation.
- 1960’s: Detergent development shifted back to
- EMULSIFIERS: Helps disperse oils and other
linear long chains in due to emphasis on
nonpolar substances in water.
biodegradability.
- LUBRICANTS: Reduce friction and prevent skin
GENERAL RAW MATERIALS FOR DETERGENTS irritation.
- EMOLLIENTS: Soften and moisturizes the skin.
1. SURFACTANTS
- Ex: Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol.
- Any compound that affects (usually reduces) surface
SUDS REGULATOR
tension when dissolved in water or water solutions
- Performs the primary cleaning and sudsing of the - A.K.A defoamer or anti-foaming agent
washing action through reduction of surface tension. - Controls and prevents excessive foaming.
- Works by reducing surface tension, disrupting FABRIC BRIGTHENERS
bubble structure, and absorbing water or changing
- Optical brighteners, fluorescent whitening agents
viscosity.
- Benefits include: Improved cleaning performance, - Absorbs ultraviolet light and emit blue light making
enhanced efficiency, and safer use. fabrics appear whiter and brighter.

5. BUILDERS - Enhances visual appeal of white and light-colored

fabrics.
- Boost detergent power.
- Works by water softening, alkalinity control, BLUINGS
emulsification, and anti-redeposition.
- Historically optical brighteners.
- Importance include: Improved cleaning
performance, reduced environmental impact, and - Similar to fabric brighteners but is primarily used
more efficient use of detergent. with white fabrics to counteract yellowing.

6. ADDITIVES - Historically significant but largely replaced by

modern fabric brighteners.
- There are many additives added for additional
functions and these are the following: ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS

- Carbanilides, salicylanilides, cationics.

SODIUM SILICATE:
- Inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other
- Builder
organisms on fabrics, providing additional hygiene
- Water softening, alkalinity control, anti- benefits.
redeposition.
- Can be especially useful for towels, sportswear, and
- Combats hard water minerals, maintains optimal other items prone to bacterial growth.
pH for cleaning, prevents dirt from redepositing on
GENERAL RAW MATERIALS FOR SOAP
fabrics.
1. OIL AND FATS
CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE (CMC)
- React with alkali, typically sodium hydroxide to form
- Anti-redeposition agent soap molecules (sodium fatty acid salts) and glycerin
- Affects soap characteristics such as: Hardness and
- Suspends dirt and soil in wash water, prevents
durability, lathering, and moisturizing properties.
redeposition on fabrics.

- Enhances cleaning performance by ensuring dirt is 2. ALKALIS

removed and is not redeposited during the wash - Saponification agents
cycle. - Enables the transformation of oils and fats in
cleansing and moisturizing soap bars or liquids.
BENZOTRIAZOLE
- Triggers saponification
- Tarnish inhibitor - Forms Sodium or Potassium Fatty Acid Salts
- Determine Soap Properties
- Protects metals from tarnishing and corrosion,
particularly in automatic dishwashing detergents.
3. BUILDERS
- Maintains the shine and appearance of metal - Water softening
utensils and dishware. - pH Adjustment
- Buffering Agent
- Cleaning Efficiency
- Enhancing Lather
4. NEUTRAL ADDITIVE
- Salt (NaOH)
- Helps improve the hardening and curing process of
the soap
- Contribute to a firmer bar.

5. SPECIALTY ADDITIVE
- Sodium silicate
- Can act as thickener, builder, or anti-deposition
agent depending on the type used.

2. FRACTIONAL CRYSTALLIZATION PROCESS

- Method used to separate fatty acids of different
PROCESSES INVOLVED
chain lengths
1. SAPONIFICATION - Primarily employed for fatty acid mixtures that
- Involved the hydrolysis of fats on its reaction with solidify readily, such as tallow fatty acids.
alkali such as NaOH or KOH. - Molten fatty acid mixture is allowed to cool and
- Produces glycerol (glycerin) and fatty acid salts, solidify gradually.
known as SOAP - As it cools, different fatty acids crystallize at different
- Can be through Batch Kettle Process, or Continuous temperatures, allowing for the separation of various
Process components based on their melting points.
- BATCH KETTLE PROCESS: Saponification is carried
out in a large kettle or tank, traditional method, and 3. DISTILLATION
is suitable for small-scale production. - Purification technique used to separate and purify
- CONTINUOUS PROCESS- Saponification reaction is fatty acids obtained from the saponification process
carried out continuously in a series of reactors and or other sources.
chambers. Fats or oils are continuously fed into the - VACUUM DISTILLATION: Employed in soap
system, along with the alkali solution. Resulting soap production to separate fatty acids of different chain
mixture is then further processed to remove lengths. The crude fatty acid mixture is heated under
impurities. reduced pressure in a distillation column, causing
the lower boiling pt. fatty acids to vaporize and
separate from the higher boiling pt. components.

4. NEUTRALIZATION
- Crucial step in both soap and detergent production.
- Acidic fatty acids are reacted with a base (NaOH or
KOH) to form corresponding fatty acid salts (soap) or
synthetic detergents.
- Essential for adjusting the pH of the product and
enhancing its cleaning properties.
MAJOR PRODUCTS

1. BAR SOAP
- It is a solid cleansing agent widely used for personal
hygiene and handwashing purposes.
- SAPONIFICATION
- It comes in various formulations to cater to different
skin types and preferences, with options such as
moisturizing, antibacterial, deodorant, and
exfoliating variants.
- May contain additives like essential oils, fragrances,
vitamins, and botanical extracts for enhanced
benefits.

2. LIQUID SOAP
- It is suitable for handwashing, body cleansing, and
sometimes even dishwashing.
- Formulated with surfactants, water, and additives
such as moisturizers and antimicrobial agents, liquid
soap is available in pump dispensers for convenient
use.
- It comes in a variety of scents and formulations,
including antibacterial, moisturizing, and
hypoallergenic option

3. DETERGENT POWDER
- Primarily designed for laundry cleaning, equipped
with surfactants and builders to tackle dirt, stains,
and oils from fabrics.
- Contain enzymes for stain removal, optical
brighteners for fabric appearance enhancement,
and fragrances for a fresh scent.
- Cater to various washing machines, water hardness
levels, and fabric types.

4. LIQUID DETERGENTS
- Suitable for laundry and general cleaning tasks.
- Offer convenience for pre-treating stains,
handwashing delicate fabrics, and usage in
highefficiency washing machines.
- May include additional agents such as fabric
softeners and stain-fighting compounds.