Soap is a chemical compound produced through the saponification of fats and oils with an alkali. It remains one of the most essential cleaning agents in both personal and industrial applications. PT Indo Sultan Jaya specializes in the production of palm oil–based soap noodles, the key raw material used by manufacturers worldwide to produce various types of soap bars efficiently and consistently.
Saponification Reaction
The core reaction in soapmaking is saponification, where triglycerides (fats or oils) react with an alkali, typically sodium hydroxide (NaOH), to form soap and glycerol.
The simplified reaction is:
The fatty acid composition of the oil determines the properties of the resulting soap, such as hardness, foam stability, and cleansing power. Palm oil is one of the most efficient and sustainable raw materials for soap manufacturing. It provides an optimal balance of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids that yield soaps with excellent hardness, stable foam, and long shelf life.
At PT Indo Sultan Jaya, we primarily utilize:
- Palm Oil (PO) – produces a firm soap with creamy lather.
- Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) – contributes to cleansing ability and enhances foam.
- Coconut Oil (optional blend) – increases solubility and quick-lathering properties.
The combination of these oils results in a balanced Total Fatty Matter (TFM) and moisture content, tailored to the specific needs of each customer. PT Indo Sultan Jaya manufactures soap noodles, the intermediate raw form of soap, which can later be customized by other manufacturers. The production involves several key stages:
a. Oil Refining
Crude palm and kernel oils undergo refining to remove free fatty acids, color pigments, and impurities. This ensures consistency and stability in the final soap product.
b. Saponification
Refined oils are reacted with caustic soda (NaOH) under controlled conditions in a saponification reactor. The process generates soap, water, and glycerin. Glycerin may be recovered as a valuable byproduct.
c. Drying
The soap mass is dried using vacuum spray dryers or film dryers to achieve the required moisture level (typically 12–15%). This step determines the hardness and handling characteristics of the soap noodles.
d. Noodle Formation
The dried soap is extruded and cut into uniform soap noodles. These noodles serve as the base material for the production of various finished soaps, including toilet soaps, laundry soaps, and multipurpose bars.
Customization and Quality Control
PT Indo Sultan Jaya produces soap noodles with customizable specifications:
- TFM (Total Fatty Matter): 70% to 80% depending on customer requirements.
- Color: White, off-white, or natural yellow tones.
- Additives: Antibacterial agents, fragrances, moisturizers, or special oils.
Comprehensive quality control procedures are applied at each stage, from raw oil analysis to finished product inspection, ensuring uniformity, performance, and compliance with international standards. Sustainability is a core principle of PT Indo Sultan Jaya’s operations. Our palm-based soap noodles are derived from RSPO-certified and sustainably sourced palm oil. The production system emphasizes:
- Energy-efficient saponification technology.
- Recovery and reuse of glycerin and process water.
- Waste minimization and emission control in compliance with environmental regulations.
Soap manufacturing is both a chemical and industrial process grounded in precision, quality control, and sustainability. By integrating the chemistry of saponification with modern processing technology, PT Indo Sultan Jaya produces high-quality palm oil–based soap noodles that form the backbone of soap production for global partners.
Through continuous innovation and responsible sourcing, PT Indo Sultan Jaya continues to support the evolution of the soap industry, combining scientific rigor with industrial excellence.