What Is Soap Noodle 8020? Specifications, Production, and Uses
- Soap Noodle 8020 is a semi-finished soap granule from palm oil and palm kernel oil at an 80:20 ratio, and is the main raw material for bar soap.[1]
- Total fatty matter (TFM) is minimum 78%, moisture maximum 14%, and free fatty acid maximum 1.5%.[1]
- The product is white noodle-like granules, with maximum titer 46 °C and maximum glycerin content 1%.[1]
- The 80:20 ratio of palm to palm kernel fatty acids is chosen to balance hardness, cleaning power, and lather.[2]
- It is used for bath soap, laundry soap, industrial soap, and medicinal soap.[1]
Soap Noodle 8020 is the most common base for making bar soap. It balances hardness, cleaning performance, and lather required by the soap industry.
Table of contents
What Is Soap Noodle 8020?
Soap noodles are soap granules that serve as the base for many soap products. They are made from a mixture of oils or fatty acids, such as palm oil and palm kernel oil, with an alkali solution through saponification.[1]
The number 8020 in the product name indicates the feedstock ratio: 80% palm oil and palm stearin with 20% palm kernel oil. This is the most common grade for standard bath soap.[1]
Soap noodle 8020 appears white in small noodle-like granules, with INCI names sodium palmate and sodium palm kernelate. It remains a semi-finished material that requires fragrance, color, and other additives for the final soap.[1]
Product Specifications
Soap noodle 8020 specifications are set based on total fat content, moisture, free fatty acid, and other physical parameters. Producers in Indonesia and Malaysia generally specify nearly identical limits.[1][3]
| Parameter | Wilfarin SN-8020 | Mars Oleochemicals |
|---|---|---|
| Color | White | Snow white |
| Total fatty matter (%) | Min. 78 | 78.5–81.5 |
| Moisture content (%) | Max. 14 | 10.5–13.5 |
| Free fatty acid (as palmitate, %) | Max. 1.5 | Max. 1.5 |
| Sodium chloride (as NaCl, %) | 0.3–0.7 | 0.40–0.70 |
| Glycerin (%) | Max. 1 | Max. 1.0 |
| Titer (°C) | Max. 46 | – |
| Free alkali (as NaOH, %) | – | Max. 0.05 |
| Chelating agent | Present | – |
| Packaging | 25 kg bags; jumbo bags | 25 kg bags |
| Fatty acid | Typical content (%) |
|---|---|
| C12 (laurate) | 9–11 |
| C14 (myristate) | 3–5.5 |
| C16 (palmitate) | 42–47 |
| C18 (stearate) | 3.5–5.5 |
| C18:1 (oleate) | 28.5–32.5 |
| C18:2 (linoleate) | 5.5–8.5 |
Production Process
Soap noodles are made by mixing oils or fatty acids with alkali solution, then saponification. The thickened mixture is dried and cooled into solid ribbons, then cut into small noodle-like granules.[1]
Feedstock ratio determines final soap properties. A blend of 80% stearin fatty acids and 20% palm kernel oil yields soap with balanced hardness, cleaning, and lather.[2][4]
C12 fatty acids from palm kernel oil provide solubility and lather, while palmitic and stearic acids from palm oil provide hardness and bar durability.[2]
Uses
Soap Noodle 8020 is the main raw material for daily bath soap, hotel guest soap, and community and school soaps that need durability and mildness.[1]
It is also used for laundry soap and industrial applications because its ratio balances cleaning power and ease of use.[1]
The soap industry produces various ratio variants, such as 85:15 for premium, skin-mild soap and 90:10 for industrial applications prioritizing cost effectiveness.[1]
Summary
Soap Noodle 8020 is a semi-finished soap granule from a blend of 80% palm oil and palm stearin with 20% palm kernel oil. With minimum total fatty matter of 78% and maximum moisture of 14%, it is the main raw material for bath, laundry, and industrial soap.
References
- Wilmar International. Soap Noodle 8020 — Wilfarin SN-8020. https://www.wilmar-international.com/oleochemicals/products/home-care/detail/soap-noodle-8020
- PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Tbk (SMART). Soap Noodle 101: The Essential Base for Your Favorite Cleaning Products. https://www.smart-tbk.com/soap-noodle-101-bahan-dasar-penting-produk-pembersih-favorit-anda/
- Mars Oleochemicals. Soap Noodles 8020 TFM 78% Min Snow White — specification. https://www.marsoleo.com/soap-noodles-8020-tfm-78-min-snow-white-malaysia-mars-oleochemicals.html
- Soap Noodle Plant Design — stearin fatty acid and palm kernel oil composition. https://id.scribd.com/document/626693917/Soap-Noodle-dari-Campuran-Asam-Lemak