Soap is an essential commodity in homes, hospitals and dormitories.
The business is highly lucrative and competitive. You will compete with
different brands in the market.
To start the business you need to learn the trade then purchase
soap making equipment. You can start the business small scale and expand as it
grows.
The amount of startup depends on the size and scope of
the enterprise. The amount of money you make depends on the quality of the
product, marketing, consumer interest.
You can do the business part time or full time from the
comfort of your home. The major advantage is the huge Indian market and cost differentiation's. Here are a few ideas on how to start a soap Business.
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| pbs.org |
Starting
a Soap Business in India
Types
of Soap
The different types of soap are separated into soft or
hard soap. The harden agent constitutes the composition of the soap. While
natural soaps are usually softer than regular ones.
Common kitchen soaps are categorized as cleansers or
detergents. Cleansers constitute mild
abrasives and formulated to remove solid oils. Detergents include two types of
dishwashers.
Other types are antibacterial soaps for personal hygiene
and cleaning soaps. More include novelty, perfumed, medicated and beauty. There
are also miniature guest soaps, transparent and liquid soaps.
Different
of Soaps
- natural soaps
- cleansers
- detergents
- dishwashers
- antibacterial soaps
- novelty
- perfumed
- medicated
- beauty soaps
- miniature guest soaps
- transparent
- liquid soaps
Location
The location of the business is very important. This is
because there are environmental issues in soap production.
Make sure adequate provision is provided to avoid external
contamination of the surrounding area. This includes proper care of drainage
system, public lavatories and drains leading out of the factory.
The location should be close to source of raw material and
easily accessible. You cannot establish a soap factory near residential areas.
The building should be properly ventilated with safety
equipment installed. Provide proper sanitation facility including building maintenance.
The design should prevent external contaminants such as
birds, rodent’s, pests, and insects. Proper provisions are necessary for liquid
and solid waste disposal. You need to also provide safe storage, healthcare for
staff.
Things
to consider while choosing a Soap Factory Location
- environmental issues
- avoid external contamination
- proper drainage system
- public lavatories
- close to source of raw material
- easily accessible
- establish away from residential areas
- building properly ventilated
- safety equipment installed
- proper sanitation facility
- building maintenance
- proper liquid and solid waste disposal
- provide safe storage
- healthcare for staff
License Requirement for Hand Made Soap in India
We have earlier established that hand made soap is in
high demand. They are used for washing, eliminating harmful bacteria and have a
pleasant smell.
Legislation pertaining to manufacturing of soap is
covered in the Drug and Cosmetic act of 1940 rules of 1945. The section
involves cosmetic chemicals used for cleaning, beatification and rubbing.
Others are sprinkling, spraying or applying to human
body. This effectively points to hand soaps as a good contender. You need a manufacturing
license and the soap should have an approved number.
There are also safety protocols, insurance, tax requirements.
To get a manufacturing license visit the state drug authority. Apply in person,
fill form 31 and pay the respective fees.
Specify the classification and provide knowledge of basic
chemistry. You are required to have appropriate education, diploma, bachelor’s
degree or vocational training certification.
The application requires information on manufacturing
facility, equipment and technical competence.
Soap
Making Ingredients
Different types of ingredients can be used in the
manufacturing process. The ingredients establish the color, aroma and foaming.
The ingredients are basically used as colorants,
preservatives, oils fats and base elements. The common base element used in making
home soap is lye and potash.
Lye helps harden the soap to your desired consistency.
The acidic element used in soap manufacture is the oils and fats.
Common oils are jojoba, castor oil, peanut oil, coconut
oil, avocado oil and olive oil. More include Shea-butter, palm oil, cotton seed
oil and lard.
Skincare ingredients are honey, aloe vera, oatmeal,
balsam and alfalfa meal. A natural preservative increases the shelf life of the
soap.
Common preservatives are tocopherols, carrot root oil and
grapefruit extract. Some manufacturers also introduce soap dyes.
- Colorants
- Preservatives
- Oils
- Fats
- base elements
- Lye
- dyes
- herbal soap manufacturing business
- detergent powder manufacturing
Soap
Making Equipment
First you need to customize your system and design. This
will provide efficiency in the manufacturing process. There are some equipment’s
you need to start your production line.
Equipment's are oil/wax mixing tanks, bomb presses, soap
cutters and soap molds. Others include drying trays, rack, lye tanks and Shrink
wrap system.
You need pumps, pot tippers, mixing pots, utensils, dispensers,
weighing equipment. More are soap shaper, sampler, stirring equipment and soap
stamps.
Soap
Equipment
- oil/wax mixing tanks
- bomb presses
- soap cutters
- soap molds
- drying trays
- rack
- lye tanks
- shrink wrap system
- pumps
- pot tippers
- mixing pots
- utensils
- dispensers
- weighing equipment
- soap shaper
- sampler
- stirring equipment
- soap stamps
Hand
Soap Manufacturing
Soap goes through different processes to become bar or
detergents. The process is associated to the size, shape color, fragrance and foam
content.
The manufacturer combines fats, oils and chemical in a
predetermined formula. It involves blending, alteration, ornamentations and
finishing.
The bar goes through cutting, branding, packaging, labeling.
The label should contain indications of the ingredients, company name and
address.
Soap
Manufacturing Process
- blending
- alteration
- ornamentation
- finishing
- cutting
- branding
- packaging
- labeling
- carbolic soap production
- home based liquid toilet
Marketing
The marketing requirements involve branding and
promotions. Advertise your product in newspapers magazines and newsletters. Use
billboards, signboards, flyers and business cards.
Employ sales representatives to work on commission per sale.
Sell in bulk to shop owners, provision stores, supermarkets, soap retailers.
Build a website to showcase your products and add HD
images, description, prices. Include factory location, email address, customer
service lines. Create an ecommerce store to sell your product to customers. You
can direct traffic to your website through social media advertisement and Adwords.
