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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

19. DEVELOPING A SOAP FACTORY PROJECT

Like any industrial project, a soap factory must, above all, be based on a commercial project which aims to meet demand for soap by marketing products obtained from the conversion of oils and fats (of local origin). This means that before embarking on technical studies, it is essential to carry out preliminary investigations into the following:

® the resources on which the soap factory can rely, particularly - and vitally - a study of the actual availability of oils and fats,
® the soap market and the potential for acquiring market shares.

To ensure the success of the project, these investigations must be conducted seriously and realistically, studying both the opportunities and the constraints, and leading to an assessment of the alternatives and a possible contingency plan. The challenge for a soap factory is primarily commercial, and the success of any soap factory project depends, right from the investigation phase, amongst other things on the promoter's expertise in identifying, developing and exploiting the commercial advantages - which will have to be substantial, given that the project will necessarily develop in a difficult context - in relation to the existing competition.

The proposed method for developing a soap factory project, leading on to a feasibility study, is as follows:

®
Stage 1

Description of the current situation and a study of:
· the available resources and

· the market potential, which should result in the identification of the industrial and commercial opportunities and the drawing up of a corporate project.

If this stage proves positive:

®
Stage 2

The researching and gathering of data and information with a view to a subsequent feasibility study ascertaining the economic and commercial viability of the project and an execution schedule. The typical content of a feasibility study is given in the annex for information.

The following sections suggest a checklist of points, parameters and questions which should guide the promoter in their initial investigations and enable them to verify the value of their project and draw up an appropriate project file.