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		Soap Production (CDI, 1995, 70 p.)
			(introduction...)
			1. INTRODUCTION
			2. GENERAL INFORMATION ON SOAP
			3. THE RAW MATERIALS
			4. THE MANUFACTURE OF SOAP
			5. THE TREATMENT OF OILS AND FATS
			6. SAPONIFICATION: COLD PROCESS
			7. SAPONIFICATION: SEMI-BOILED PROCESS
			8. SAPONIFICATION: FULL BOILED PROCESS
			9. SAPONIFICATION: CONTINUOUS PROCESS
			10. THE COOLING AND DRYING OF SOAP
			11. FINISHING SOAP
			12. PRODUCTION OPTIONS
			13. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
			14. CDI EXPERIENCE IN SOAP FACTORY PROJECTS
			15. IMPLEMENTING A SOAP FACTORY PROJECT
			16. EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
			17. TURNKEY SUPPLIERS AND ENGINEERING OFFICES
			18. THE SOAP MAKERS
			19. DEVELOPING A SOAP FACTORY PROJECT
			20. CHECKLIST: RAW MATERIALS
			21. CHECKLIST: THE SOAP MARKET
			22. CHECKLIST: DATA FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY
			ANNEXES
			23. SERVICES OFFERED BY THE CDI
			OTHER TITLES
			BACK COVER

4. THE MANUFACTURE OF SOAP

The manufacture of soap involves 4 stages:

Figure

The design of the production line and its production capacity must be based on clearly defined commercial objectives which can be identified only from a detailed analysis of the market potential, actual demand, and consumer attitudes. A household soap, for instance, does not require the same degree of finishing as a toilet soap, or a public toilet soap as much finishing as a high-grade soap. Similarly, certain manufacturing stages can be simplified or even left out. Since such factors place a needless strain on the cost of manufacturing soap, it is vital to study them in order to make an appropriate choice in terms of technology and production capacity.

The use of higher-quality oils and fats often means that the processing stage can be avoided.

Manufacturing processes are usually classified as follows. A brief description is given below of each stage and manufacturing process.

Figure