Laundry soap is used mainly for washing. It is found in every home, office and factory
because of its importance. Although powdered soap and liquid soap are found on the
market shelf, laundry soap is preferred because it is not hard on textiles.
In the Nigerian market, manufacture of laundry bar soap used to be dominated by such
big names as lever brothers, PZ etc. However, in the wake of the
structural adjustment
programmes, a lot of small scale entrepreneurs have sprung up and are currently giving
the big names a big fight. The advantage of the small scale producer is in the area of
overheads and operational flexibility. The key to success in soap business is quality and
lower prices.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The production of soap is a simple chemical reaction referred to as saponification.
The simplest way to explain saponification is to write the chemical equation: oil (fatty
acid) + caustic soda = soap + glycerol. Incidentally this equation is learnt at secondary
school level chemistry and does not need extra clarification. The basic materials required
for production of soap are palm kernel oil, caustic soda, liquid sodium silicate, dyes and
perfumes (where required). The basic equipments are the preparation tank, mixing tank,
solidification boxes, soap slicer and soap stamper.
PRODUCTION PROCESS
There are three different methods employed in the production of laundry bar soap
namely: the full boiled process, the semi-boiled process and the cold process.
The cold process is the one discussed in this write up. Caustic soda is dissolved in the
water in the preparation tank and left overnight. It is important that it stays for at least 24
hours to enable the chemical reaction to be completed. The specific gravity should come
up to 1300kg/m3.
A measured quantity of palm kernel oil is put into the mixing tank. A measured quantity
of caustic soda solution is added into the mixing tank and stirred properly for at least 20
minutes. Then sodium silicate, soda ash in solution and dye are added in measured
quantities. Stirring continues for another 10 to 15 minutes with perfume added if
desirable. The soap is poured into solidification boxes (moulds) which have nylon
underlay. After about 12 hours, the soap becomes dry and ready for use.
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