Soap


Soap Production Area

Soaps Team

        One way the KU Biodiesel Initiative strives for sustainability is repurposing byproduct glycerin. Glycerol is formed after the cooking oil, methanol and catalyst have reacted and a bilayer forms. Glycerol is drained out the bottom and biodiesel remains in the vessel.

        The lab is able to produce both concentrated liquid and bar soap from the biodiesel glycerin. Shape, color, and scent are some aspects that the team get to experiment with to create custom soaps. Members gain hands on formulation experience from this lab. All operating procedures and formulas have been created and tested by students in our lab.

        The soaps team aims to increase sustainability by finding alternative uses for byproducts. Read below about our recipes and projects members are working on!

Our Recipes

Our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are created and then tested by students. In general, soap is created by adding a lye solution to a body solution. A basic body solution contains the biodiesel glycerin and other oils such as coconut or castor oil. The lab produces liquid soap, which uses potassium hydroxide for its lye solution, and bar soap, which uses sodium hydroxide for its lye solution.
Small Scale Soap Reaction