GB2181739A - Detergent bar comprising soap and a rosin derivative or synthetic anionic surfactant - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for making a detergent component suitable for manufacturing into a bar comprises neutralising a mixture containing at least one acid species and comprising (I) fatty acids and/or soap and (II) a synthetic anionic detergent and/or a synthetic anionic detergent in acid form and/or rosin,the ratio of (I) to (II) being at least 1:2, by admixing the mixture with an amount of alkali equal to at least the stoichiometric amount necessary to neutralise the mixture. By such a process a laundry bar can be made from soap-making materials such as tallow having lather properties.

Description

SPECIFICATION Detergent component and process for making a detergent component The present invention relates to a detergent component and to a process for making such a component suitable for inclusion in a detergent bar and to a detergent bar and a process for making a detergent bar incorporating the component.

The present invention relates to both toilet bars for personal washing and laundry bars. Laundry bars are used in many parts oftheworld forwashing fabrics, e.g. clothes, by hand. Both types of bars are preferably made from cheap locally available materials. One such material in some parts oftheworld is tallow. In other parts oftheworld tallow-like materials such as hydrogenated oils and palm oil are readily available.

Traditionallytallowortallow-like material is converted to a cleansing material by saponification with for example caustic soda solution to yield soap. The soap can then be made into bars.

Aproblem can however exist with the use oftallowortallow-like material based soap. The componentfatty acid moieties in tallow ortallow-like materials comprise a mixture of predominantly palmitic, stearic and oleic acids, only some ofwhich are readily soluble in water. One solution to this problem isto prepare a barfrom a mixture of tallow ortallow-like soap and e.g. soap derived from coconut oil. Coconut oil includes a mixture of lauricand myristicfatty acid moieties which are more soluble in waterthan palmitic and stearic soaps.

Coconut oil is however much more expensive generally than tallowortallow-like materials and in some parts oftheworld maybeunobtainablefromtimetotime.

It is also known to admix tallow soap with a synthetic detergent to provide a cleansing material in barform which has some advantageous properties compared with bars based solely on tallow derived soap. For example US 2991 253 (Armour & Co) teachesthe use of specifically potassium tallowsoaps admixed with a synthetic detergent in a ratio of e.g. 0.3 to 0.7 detergent to soap.

Another suggestion forcombining tallowsoapwith an anionic detergent isfound in GB 1 272486 (Colgate).

The publication relates to the preparation of a super-fatted bar i.e. a bar containing free fatty acid by admixing a detergent type sulphonic acid with a neutral soap to liberate fatty acid from the soap and neutralisethe sulphonic acid.

Asoapsuitablefor use in sea water is described in FR 969622 (Sinnova ou Sadic) in which an alkyl aryl sulphonic acid is neutralised togetherwith 4to 10 wt% of a free fatty acid.

According to a first aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a detergent component derived from soap and a synthetic anionic detergent and/or rosin having an X-ray do long spacing of 31 A or less.

We have found that such a detergent composition can have improved lathering properties. In particularwe have found that such a component can generate a lather more quickly when compared with an all soap bar.

The present detergent component is particularly useful where it is derived from soap derived from tallow or tallow-like materials. In order to achieve the benefit attributable to the present invention the soap present should have a minimum content of 20wt% of insoluble soaps i.e. soaps containing at least 20wt%, based on the soap content of the product, of saturated fatty acids having a carbon chain length of 16 or more.

In particularwe havefoundthat a detergent component derived from soap and a synthetic anionicdetergent having an X-ray do long spacing of 31 and a detergent component derived from soap and rosin having an X-ray d0 long spacing of about 27.5 A each has improved lathering properties. In each case the X-ray d, spacing concerned does not appear in a simple admixture ofthe constituent materials. Although we do not wish to be bound by anytheorythe presence of a novel X-ray d0 long spacing line characteristic of the present components possibly suggests the presence of a novel phase in the present components.

Suitably the soap included in the presently defined detergent component comprises, with respect to its fatty acid moiety content, at least 20wt%, more suitably at least 30 wt%, even more suitably at least 40 wt%, of saturated fatty acid moieties having at least 16 carbon atoms. Preferred examples of such soaps are soaps derived from tallow, palm oil, hydrogenated triglyceride oils, hydrogenated fatty acids and mixtures thereof.

Examples of sources for hydrogenated triglyceride oils and fatty acids are rice bran oil and soyabean oil.

Fractionated derivatives of oils may also be employed, for example tallow and palm oil stearines.

The synthetic anionic detergent from which the present product is derived is suitably a water soluble material containing an anionic solubilising group such as -SO3H or -COOH and an alkyl or arylalkyl groupwith an alkyl group containing 8to 22 carbon atoms. Preferred examples include sodium branched dodecyl benzene sulphonates, sodium linear dodecyl benzene sulphonates, sodium dialkyl sulphosuccinates and sodium alpha olefin sulphonates.

"Rosin" is defined in the present specification as being the solid residue remaining in naturally occurring oleoresins and related fluids after removal ofterpentine. It is usually characterised by a mixture of C20fused ring monocarboxylic acids and as levopimaric acid and abietic acid.

Suitably the ratio of soap to anionic detergent and/or rosin is more than 1:2. The upper limittothe ratio is preferably8:1,morepreferably5:1,even morepreferably3:1.0ptimallythesoaptoanionisdetergentand/or rosin ratio is about 2:1.The upper limittothe ratio is probably more properly determined having regard tothe waterinsolublesoap content ofthe soap (i.e. soaps having a saturated carbon chain length of 16 ormore).

Suitably the water insoluble soap to anionic detergent and/or rosin ratio is less than 4:1. For a soap such as tallow having a water insoluble soap content of approximately 50%, such a requirement translates to a prefer red upper limitto the ratio of 8:1.

According to a second aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a process for making a detergent component suitable for manufacturing into a bar comprising neutralising a mixture containing at leastone acid species and comprising (I) fatty acids, and/or soap and (II) a synthetic anionic detergent and/or a synthetic anionic detergent in acid form and/or rosin, the ratio of (I) to (II) being at least 1 :2, by admixing the mixture with an amount of alkali equal to at least the stoichiometric amount necessary to neutralisethe mixture.

By means ofthe present process owe have found that a detergent component can be produced having improved lathering properties, in particular a reduction in the period oftime required to achieve a lathercan be obtained when compared to the use of all tallow soap. Such an improvement can be particularly beneficial in hard water areas.

The present process can be employed to prepare a detergent component according to the first aspect ofthe present invention.

In the present product and process, by the term "fatty acids" is meant monocarboxylicfatty acids. Thefatty acids and/or soap employed preferably comprise, with respect two its fatty acid moiety content, at least 20wt%, more preferably at least 30wt%, even more preferably at least 40 wt%, of satu rated fatty acid moieties having at least 16 carbon atoms. Preferred examples of such soaps and fatty acids are products derived from tallow, palm oil, hydrogenated triglyceride oils, hydrogenated fatty acids and mixtures thereof. Examples of oils as sources for hydrogenated oils and fatty acids are soyabean oil and rice bran oil.Fractionated products such as palm oil and tallow stearine may alternatively be employed. The synthetic anionic detergent in acid form is suitablyawatersoluble material containing an anionicsolubilising group such as -SO3H or -COOH and an alkylorarylalkyl group containing 8to 22 carbon atoms.

Preferably the mixture includes fatty acids which are co-neutralised with the anionic detergent in acid form and/or rosin. The fatty acids employed are preferably distilled fatty acids. More preferably the fatty acids are distilled tallow acids. Products can however be made from undistilled fatty acids.

In another embodiment the synthetic anionic detergent and/or rosin are neutralised in the presence of soap, preferably tallow soap. The soap can for example be derived from the saponification of naturally occurring triglycerides e.g. tallow or prior neutralisation of fatty acids. In general the rate at which lather develops has been found to be somewhat greater in products formed by the co-neutralisation of fatty acids with the anionic synthetic detergent in acid form and/or rosin than products derived from the anionic synthetic detergent in acid form and/or rosin being neutralised in the presence of soap. The latter products can however have improved rate of lathering developing compared with an alltallowsoap and can be particularly useful where no source offatty acids is readily available.

In another embodiment fatty acids are neutralised in the presence ready neutralised synthetic anionic detergent. The particular embodiment of the invention employed in any one instance can thus be selected having regard to, and amongst otherthings, the local availability of the various forms of starting materials.

The neutralisation process is preferably performed whilst the mixture is at a temperature between 50"C and 1 50"C, more preferably between 90 and 120 C. Under such conditions the components of the mixture are usually all in liquid form and thus readily admixable with the alkali. During the neutralisationthe mixture is preferably subjectedto high shear mixing. Additionally or alternativelythe neutralised mixture is preferably subjected to high shear mixing.

Further processing steps preferably include cooling the neutralised mixture to 40"C or below, more prefer ably to between 40"C and 00C within 30 seconds, preferably within 5 seconds. Suitably a chilled drum is employed.

Other processing steps can include one or more of those conventionally employed in the preparation of bars. In particularthe neutralised mixture can be milled, plodded, extruded and cut into bars. Conventional additives such as filler e.g. kaolin, perfumes and dyestuffs can be included.

The synthetic anionic detergent in acid form is preferably selected from the group comprising alkyl aryl sulphonic acids, alkyl sulphonic acids, dialkyl sulphosuccinic acids, and alpha olefin sulphonic acids and mixtures thereof. The synthetic anionic detergent is preferably selected from the salts, especially the sodium salts, ofthe preceding list of acids. Particularly preferred examples include branched alkyl sulphonic acids such as branched alkyl benzene sulphonic acid (available commercially as Escane F) and iinear alkyl benzene sulphonic acid (available commercially as Dobs JN). Preferred chain length distribution is C70 to C13. Branched alkylalkyl aryl sulphonic acids are particularly preferred.On a weightforweight basis branched alkyl/alkyl aryl sulphonic acids have been found to yield better results than linear alkyl/alkyl aryl sulphonic acids. Linear alkyl/alkyl aryi sulphonic acids can give improved results over soap alone and are therefore usefully em ployed when it is not possible to employ branched alkyl/alkyl aryl sulphonic acids.

As indicated above at least some of the fatty acids where present are preferably derived from tallow. Sim ilarly at least some of the soap where present is preferably derived from tallow.

The ratio of fatty acids and/or soap to synthetic anionic detergent and/or synthetic anionic detergent in acid form and/or rosin is preferably less than 8:1, more preferably less than 5:1, even more preferably lessthan 3:1 .An optimum ratio would appearto be about 2:1. Having regard to the water insoluble soap presentthe ratio is probably better expressed as having as an upperlimita ratio of not morethan 4 parts insoluble soap (or fatty acids to be neutralised to insoluble soap) to 1 part synthetic anionic detergent ready neutralised or in acid form or rosin. In the case of e.g. tallow having an approximately 50% content of water insoluble soap the upper ratio is thus preferably not morethan 8:1.

The alkali selected to effectthe neutralisation may be in any convenientform. Preferably it comprisesan aqueous solution. Suitable alkalis include alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides and carbonates.

Two preferred alkalis are sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate.

If desired the neutralised mixture can be admixed with further soap. The soap may be the same or different as that present in the neutralised mixture. It is preferably tallow. No limits are set on the ratio of neutralised mixture :soap. For the present benefit in terms of improved rate of lathering to be apparent, particularly in use in hard water, however the ratio of neutralised mixture to soap is preferably greaterthan 1:4. Suitably it is 1:1.

It is to be understoodthatthe present invention extends to a process including forming a barcontainingthe neutralised mixture, to the neutralised detergent component made by the present process and the use ofthe present neutralised detergent component in the preparation of a bar, and a bar containing the presentdetergent component.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described byway of example onlywith reference to the following examples andthe accompanying figureswherein: Figure lisa graph showing the relationship between foam height in cm and concentration in g/l ofthe products of Examples 1 and 2 and comparative product A; Figures2to 5are graphs showing the relationship between foam height in cm and concentration in g/l of the product of Example 7 and comparative products for a range of water hardness values; Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between foam height in cm and concentration in g/l ofthe product of Example 8for a range of water hardness values;; Figure 7is a graph showing the relationship between foam height in cm and concentration in g/l ofthe product ofExample7 and comparative productsAand B; and Figure 8a tog show in diagrammatic form short angle X-ray diffraction do long spacing patterns for re spectivelya sodium linearalkyl benzenesulphonate,tallowsoap, a simple admixture ofthesamesodium linear alkyl benzene sulphonate and tallow soap, and the products of following Examples 3,4,10 and 9.

Example 1 Distilled fatty acids derived from tallow were admixed with a branched alkyl benzene sulphonic acid (Escane F-Trade Mark: mean molecularweight327 ex. Exxon) in the weight proportions of2 parts fatty acids to 1 part branched alkylate. The mixture was at a temperature of 80"C under which conditions the fatty acids were fully molten and miscible with the liquid branched alkylate. An aqueous solution ofsodium hydroxide ata concentration of 70"tow (32 wt%) and in an amount stoichiometrically equal to that required to neutralisethe fatty acids and the branched alkylatewas admixed and the resulting mixture subjected to high shear mixing.

The product had a dough-like consistency and was extruded through a 2" diameter single screw extruder.

Small angle X-ray diffraction measurement on the product gave a do long spacing of 31 .

Example 2 Saponified fatty acids derived from tallow i.e. tallow soap were admixed with a branched alkyl benzene sulphonic acid (Escane F -Trade Mark: mean molecularweight327 ex. Exxon) in the weight proportions of two parts soap to one part branched alkylate. The mixture was at a temperatu re of 80"C under which con ditionsthe mixture was fully liquid. An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide at a concentration of 700tow (32 wt%) and in an amount stoichiometrically equal to that required to neutralisethe branched alkylatewas admixed and resulting mixture subjected to high shear mixing. The product had a dough-like consistency and was extruded through a 2" diameter screw extruder.Small angle X-ray diffraction measurement on the pro duct gave a do long spacing at 31 .

Example 3 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated with the exception that the alkylate employed was DobsJN (Trade Market. Shell) which is a linear alkyl benzene sulphonic acid (mean molecular weight 321). The small angle X-ray diffraction measurement on the product is shown in Figure 8 d.Figure 8 d shows that do long spacing measurements occurred at 31 A and 42.4 A. The latter measurement is due to the presence offree tallow soap as can be seen by a comparison with Figure8 bwhich gives the small angle do long spacing of a sample oftallow soap. Compared however to Figures 8a or 8c, which show the X-ray d, long spacing pattern of respectively sodium linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (NaLAS) and a simple admixture of sodium linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (NaLAS) and tallow soap, Figure 8 d contains no line corresponding to free neu tralised linearalkyl benzene sulphonicacid. Conversely neither of Figures 8 a or8 ccontain a line at31 .sA.

Example 4 The procedure of Example 2 was repeated with the exception that the alkylate was Dobs JN (Trade Markex.

Shell) which is a linearalkyl benzenesulphonicacid with a mean molecularweightof321.TheX-raydOlong spacing pattern of the product is shown in Figure 8 e, "LAS acid" referring tothe linearalkyl benzenesul- phonic acid employed. The long spacing pattern includes a line at31 Aand a line at 42.5 A, the latter being due to the presence of free tallow soap.

Example 5 The procedure of Example 2 was repeated with the exception that the mixture comprised 59 parts by weight of soap to 12 parts by weight of branched alkylate (Escane F -Trade Mark). The X-ray d, long spacing pattern ofthe product included a line at31 .

Example 6 The procedure of Example 2 was repeated with the exception that priorto the extrusion step the homogenised and neutralised mixture was admixed with further tal low soap in proportions of one part neutralised mixture to one part additional tallow soap. The mixture was then milled and plodded priorto extrusion. The X-ray do long spacing pattern ofthe product included a line at31 .

Example 7 Two parts by weight oftallow derived fatty acids were admixed with one part by weight of an alkyl benzene sulphonic acid (Escane F - Trade Mark). The mixture was at 80 C underwhich conditions the mixturewasfully molten. Solid sodium carbonate was admixed with the mixture at a 30% stoichiometric excess of that required to neutralise the mixture. The resulting mixture was subjected to high shear mixing and then extruded.

TheX-raydO long spacing pattern of the product included a line at31 .

Example 8 The procedure of example 7 was followed with the exception that prior to extrusion the productwas admixed with tallow soap in a weight ratio of one part product to one part tallow soap. The resulting mixture was then milled and plodded priorto extrusion. The X-ray do long spacing pattern ofthe product included a lineat31 .

Each of the above products was subjected to tests to assess its lathering properties. For each test a portion ofthe productwas grated,then ground two a uniform size and dispersed in a sample ofwater ata concentration of g/l. The watertemperature was 25"C and a variety of water hardness between 0 and 40 FH was employed.

Each dispersion was agitated for 5 minutes and then a 25 ml aliquotwas transferred to a foam meter and foam generated understandard conditions. Foamability was measured asfoam height in cms understandard conditions and thus represents a measure ofthe laterability of each product after a fixed 5 minute dispersion period.

The results are given in Table I below for the products of Examples 1 to 6. As a comparison equivalent latherabilitytestswere performed on all tallow soap (A) and on a product derived by simple admixture of tallow soap with a ready neutralised linear alkylate (Petrelab 550 - Trade Mark: mean molecularweight 342 ex.

Petrosa) at 25"C in weight proportion of 2 parts soap to 1 part alkylate (B).

Table Water Hardness Lather Height Example ("FH) (cm) 1 12 14.1 2 12 8.1 3 12 9.4 A 12 5.9 2 6 8.1 4 6 5.5 5 6 5.8 6 6 6.0 A 6 2.8 B 6 2.3 The product of Examples 1 and 2 were subjected to additional latherability tests at 6" FH water hardness over a range of concentrations. The results are shown graphically in Figure 1 which also includes forcompari- son results of equivalent tests conducted on all tallow soap. In figure 1 "ABS" stands for branched alkyl benzene sulphonate, "2:1 soap/ABS co-neutralised" refers to the product of Example 1 and "2:1 soap/ABS part-neutralised refers to the product of Example 2.The Figure shows that product of Example 1 performs betterthan the product of Example 2, which shows however a marked improvement over tallow soap.

The product of Example 7 was subjected to additional latherabilitytests under the above standard con ditions whilst varying firstlythe concentration ofthe product in the test water and secondly the degree of water hardness. The results are shown graphically in Figures 2 to 5 which relate respectively to the use of water 12, 24 and 40 FH. Each figure includes for comparison equivalenttests performed on a whollytallow soap and a wholly synthetic detergent bar. In Figures 2 to 5 "NSD bar" refers to thewholiy synthetic detergent bar and "2:1 soap/ABS prototype" refers to the product of Example 7. In each case the present product shows markedly increased rate of latherability over the wholly tallow soap.

The product of Example 8 was subjected to the standard latherability testover a range of concentrations and water hardness. The results are shown graphically in Figure 6. The product of Example 8 is in Figure 6 described as "1:1 admixture tallow soap and prototype".

For comparison purposes the results of the latherability tests on the product of Example 7 in water of 24 FH are plotted in Figure 7 againstthe results from tests performed on comparative product B and all tallow soap (comparative product A). In Figure 7 the product of Example 7 is described as "2:1 soap/ABS co-neutralised prototype" and comparative product B is described as "2:1 soap/ABS as Na salts", ABS in each case referring to branched alkyl benzene sulphonate.

Example 9 50 parts by weight of tallow soap were admixed with 25 parts by weight of rosin at 85"C. An amount of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution at a concentration of 70" Tw (32 wt%) equal to the stoichiometric amount required to neutralisethe rosin was admixed and the resulting mixture subjected to high shear mixing. The product was then dried to a water content of 17 wt% and plodded prior to being formed into bars. The X-ray d, long spacing pattern ofthe product is shown in Figure 8 9. Figure 8 g shows a line at 26.5 tand, correspond ingtofreetallowsoap,a lineat42.5A.

Example 10 Example 9 was repeated with the exception that tallow fatty acids were employed in place of tallow soap and sufficient sodium hydroxide was admixed to neutralise the whole mixture. The mixture was subjected to high shear mixing, kaolin amounting to 10wt% ofthetotal final composition added and the mixture driedtoa water content amounting to 24 wt% ofthe final total composition. The mixture was then plodded and formed into bars. The X-ray do long spacing patterns ofthe product is shown in Figure 8 f. Figure 8f shows a line at 27.5 and, corresponding to freetallow soap, a line at42.5 .

Example ii 40 parts by weight of tallow fatty acid were admixed with 20 parts by weight rosin at 850C. Solid sodium carbonate at a stoichiometric excess of 30%that required to neutralise the mixture was admixed. The mixture was subjected to high shear mixing and then dried to a water weight content of 5% based on the total composition which also contained 30 wt% of sodium carbonate. The product had an X-ray do long spacing pattern having linesat27.5 and42.5 .

Each of the above products was subjected to the above described lathering test using water having 6" FH.

The results are given in Table II below. Also included in the Tablefor comparison are the results of an all tallow soap (C) and a bar formed from an admixture of 54% tallow soap, 27 wt% ready neutralised rosin soap and 19 wt% water (D) subjected to the same test.

Table II Lather Height Example (cm) 9 9.6 10 13.1 11 14.8 C 5.0 D 6.5 Example 12 Distilled fatty acid (means molecularweight 270) derived from palm oil was admixed with rosin in weigh proportions of 2 parts fatty acid to 1 part rosin. The mixture, at a temperature of 80"C underwhich conditions the fatty acid was fully molten and miscible with the rosin, was admixed with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide having a concentration of 70"TW (32wt%) and in an amount stoichiometrically equivalent to that required to neutralise the fatty acid and rosin. The resultant mixture was subjected to high shear and formed into bars.

The product was subjected to the above described lathering test using water having 6"FH. The result is given in Table III below. Also included in theTable for comparison are the results of equivalent tests applied to an all tallow soap (E) and an all palm soap (F).

Table Ill Example Lather Height (cm) 12 17.5 E 5.9 F 6.4 Example 13 Two parts by weight oftallow-derived fatty acid was admixed with one part by weight of a sodium dialkyl sulphosuccinate comprising a mixture of 20% dihexyl sulphosuccinate, 30% dioctyl sulphosuccinate and 50% unsymmetric hexyl octyl sulphosuccinate. The resulting mixture, at a temperature of 80"C under which conditionsthe mixture was fully molten, was admixed with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide having a concentration of 70"NV (32%wt) and in an amount equal tothe stoichiometric amount required to neutralise the fatty acids. Thefinal mixture was subjected to high shear mixing and formed into bars.

Example 14 The procedure of Example 13 was followed with the exception that the sodium dialkyl sulphosuccinatewas replaced by sodium alpha olefin sulphonate having a means molecularweight of 305 and comprising 76% of molecules with a carbon chain length of 14 and 24% of molecules with a carbon chain length of 16.

Each ofthe products of Examples 13 and 14was subjected to the above described lathering test in which water was employed having 40 FH hardness. The results are given in Table IV below. Aiso included in Table IV by way of comparison are the results obtained by carrying outthe equivalent tests on an ail tallow soap (G) and barformedfrom an admixture of ready neutralised tallow soap and ready neutralised sodium dialkyl sulphosuccinate in a weight ratio oftallowsoapto dialkyl sulphosuccinate of 2:1 (H).

Table IV Example Lather height (cm) 13 10 14 13.5 G 0 H 6.5

Claims (24)

1. A detergent component derived from soap and a synthetic anionic detergent and/or rosin and having an X-ray do long spacing of 31 or less.

2. A detergent component according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of soap to anionic detergent and/orrosin is more than 1:2.

3. A detergent component according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the ratio of soap to anionic detergent and/orrosin is lessthan8:1.

4. A detergent component according to claim 3 wherein the ratio of soap to anionic detergentand/or rosin is lessthan 5:1.

5. A detergent composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the soap to anionic detergent and/or rosin ratio is about 2:1.

6. A detergent composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the soap, with respect to its fatty acid moiety content, comprises at least 20 wt% of saturated fatty acid moieties having at least 16 carbon atoms.

7. A detergent composition according to claim 6 wherein the soap comprises at least30wt% of saturated fatty acid moieties having at least 16 carbon atoms.

8. A detergent composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the soap is derived from tallow, palm oil, hydrogenated triglyceride oils, hydrogenated fatty acids, fractionated triglyceride oils, fractionated fatty acids and mixtures thereof.

9. A detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 derived from soap and rosin and having an X-ray do long spacing ofabout27.5A.

10. Process for making a detergent component suitable for manufacturing into a bar comprising neutralising a mixture containing at least one acid species and comprising (I) fatty acids and/orsoap and (ll)a synthetic anionic detergentand/or a synthetic anionic detergent in acid form and/or rosin, the ratio of (I) to (II) being at least 1:2, by admixing the mixture with an amountofalkali equal to at leastthestoichiometric amountnecessaryto neutralisethe mixture.

11. Process according to claim 10 wherein the said mixture is maintained at a temperature between 50 and 1500Cwhilst neutralisation occurs.

12. Process according to claim 10 orclaim 11 including cooling the neutralised mixture to 400C or below.

13. Process according to claim 12 including cooling the neutralised mixtureto between 40"C and O"C within 30 seconds.

14. Process according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the anionic detergent in acid form is selected from the group comprising alkyl aryl sulphonic acids, alkyl sulphonic acids, aryl sulphonic acids, dialkyl sulphosuccinic acids, alpha olefin sulphonic acids and mixtures thereof and/orthe anionic detergent isselected from the group comprising salts of said acids.

15. Process according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein (I) with respect to its fatty acid moiety content, comprises at least 20 wt% of saturated fatty acid moieties having at least 16 carbon atoms.

16. Process according to claim 17 wherein (I) with respect two its fatty acid moiety content, comprises at least 30 wt% of saturated fatty acid moieties having at least 16 carbon atoms

17. Process according to any one of claims 10to 16 wherein at least some of the fatty acids are derived from among the group comprising tallow, palm oil, hydrogenated triglyceride oils, hydrogenated fatty acids, fractionated triglyceride oils, fractionated fatty acids and mixtures thereof.

18. Process according to anyone of claims lotto 1 6 wherein at least some ofthe soap is derived from tallow, palm, oil, hydrogenated triglyceride oils, hydrogenated fatty acids, fractionated triglyceride oils, fractionated fatty acids and mixtures thereof.

19. Process according to any one of claims 10to 18wherein the ratio of (i) to (II) is lessthan8:1.

20. Process according to claim 19wherein the said ratio is less than 5:1.

21. Process according to claim 20 wherein the said ratio is about 2:1.

22. Process according to any one of claims 10to 21 wherein the neutralised mixture is admixed with soap in a weight ratio of neutralised mixture to soap greater than 1:4.

23. Process according to any one of claims 10 to 22 including forming a bar containing the neutralised mixture.

24. Neutralised detergent component prepared by a process according to any one of claims 10 to 22.

25 Use of neutralised detergent component according to claim 24orany one of claims 1 to 9 in preparation of a bar.