Croatian natural soaps producer Sympatico began making its specialised range of vegetable-based pure soaps several years ago and is now on the verge of landing several major accounts after product performance was given a boost through the use of Octaquest E30 from Innospec (formerly Octel Performance Chemicals).
Essentially, due to local hard water conditions, calcium and magnesium ions were reacting with the soap and causing soap scum, a relatively common problem with natural soaps. But in addition, despite several attempts to increase lather through higher concentrations of other natural additives such as coconut oil to the recipes, the sought-after fluffy bubbles remained elusive.
Sympatico discovered Octaquest E30, an award winning readily biodegradable chelant, through an internet search. Now, after successful trials the chelant has successfully controlled the hard water problem, boosting bubbles and reducing residues. Product storage life has also been improved by the action of the chelant in helping to retain the freshness of the soaps’ natural oils. A 0.5% dosage of Octaquest was made prior to mould filling. The company say that it looked at alternative, conventional chelants, but picked Octaquest due to its unique technical and environmental benefits, which Sympatico says fits within its business principles for producing virtually natural, healthy products.