continuous soapmaking

Continuous soapmaking, often called the hydrolyzer process, is an industrial method that largely replaces older, slower boiling techniques. This process utilizes fatty acids, which react with an alkali solution like sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) to produce soap and water. This is a more efficient method than using natural fats and oils, which yield soap and glycerin.1234

The process begins by splitting natural fats into fatty acids and glycerin using high-temperature water and a catalyst. The fatty acids are then purified through vacuum distillation before being neutralized with an alkali to create soap. This continuous method allows for precise control using instruments like pH meters and is significantly faster than traditional batch methods, taking only a few hours compared to days.1