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Detergent Formulation Design: Complete Technical Project Report by Sahi Rasa in Kurdistan Region, Iraq
The quality of every bottle of dishwashing liquid, hand wash, bleach, glass cleaner, oven cleaner or toilet cleaner that leaves a factory depends first on the precision of its formulation. For a major household detergent manufacturing plant in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Sahi Rasa’s Industrial Department assumed full responsibility for designing the complete set of product formulations. The assignment required far more than copying existing recipes. It demanded a systematic engineering approach that combined local market knowledge, global fragrance trends, rigorous laboratory development, large-scale consumer testing, and final independent validation by one of Europe’s most respected testing organizations.
This report presents the entire technical journey in detail. It explains the market analysis, the creative and scientific work on fragrances, the specific formulation challenges posed by regional water conditions, the extensive beta-testing program, the independent Eurofins laboratory results, and the final steps that made the formulas production-ready.
1. Project Background and Technical Mandate
Sahi Rasa was engaged to develop formulations for the core product range of the new factory: dishwashing liquids in different grades, hand-wash liquids, bleach (both scented and unscented), glass cleaners for indoor and outdoor use, oven and anti-grease cleaners, and toilet cleaners with strong descaling action.
The technical mandate given to the formulation team was clear and measurable:
- Achieve high soil and grease removal under the water hardness and soil types typical of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
- Ensure rapid and complete rinsing so that consumers use less water.
- Create modern, stable fragrances that meet current international expectations while remaining culturally appropriate.
- Guarantee full chemical and physical compatibility with the factory’s stainless-steel 316 storage and process tanks, thick-liquid and dilute-liquid pumps, load-cell dosing systems, and automatic CIP circuits.
- Deliver formulas with reliable shelf life under the temperature fluctuations common in the region.
These requirements shaped every decision from the first laboratory trials to the final handover.
2. Market Analysis and Definition of Performance Targets
Before any laboratory work began, the Sahi Rasa team conducted a structured analysis of the target market. Water hardness levels, common types of household soil, average ambient temperatures, consumer washing habits, and existing product complaints in the region were documented. At the same time, international trends in mildness, fragrance longevity, multi-surface performance, and sustainability were reviewed.
From this analysis, specific performance targets were set for each product family. For dishwashing liquids the priority was strong grease cutting combined with fast rinse-off. For bleach the target was maximum soil removal while offering both odorless and lightly fragranced options. For glass cleaners the goal was completely streak-free drying on vertical surfaces. For toilet cleaners the requirement was powerful and rapid limescale removal. These quantified targets later became the reference points against which laboratory and field results were judged.
3. Creative Fragrance Development – Treating Scent as a Core Performance Parameter
Fragrance is one of the strongest drivers of consumer preference in household cleaners. Sahi Rasa’s formulation engineers therefore treated scent development with the same rigor applied to surfactant systems or active chlorine stability.
For hand-wash liquids the team selected high-quality fragrance accords inspired by globally recognized top-tier colognes and perfumes. The objective was to create a premium sensory experience that consumers would associate with personal care rather than ordinary detergent.
Dishwashing liquids received formulations designed to leave a clean, fresh sensation after rinsing, without any residual chemical note on the hands or the dishes.
Glass cleaners were developed with two distinct fragrance profiles. A light marine and oceanic note was created for outdoor and large-building applications, while a softer, more neutral profile was reserved for indoor residential use. This dual approach allowed the same base chemistry to be adapted to different environments.
Bleach was produced in both completely odorless and lightly fragranced versions. The odorless grade was prioritized for professional cleaning and sensitive environments; the scented grade offered a more consumer-friendly experience.
Oven cleaners and anti-grease products received robust, functional fragrances that remained stable in high-alkaline systems. Toilet cleaners were given fresh, clean notes capable of masking the typical acidic character without reducing descaling power.
In total, more than one hundred combinations of fragrance, color, and base formula were prepared. Each variant was evaluated for olfactory stability, compatibility with the active ingredients, and consumer appeal.
4. Technical Formulation Work – Solving Local Challenges
Local conditions imposed several engineering constraints that required specific solutions.
Water hardness and limited water availability in many parts of Iraq and Kurdistan made rinsability a critical parameter. The dishwashing formulas were therefore optimized with surfactant systems that deliver strong grease cutting while minimizing residual film. The result is faster rinse-off and lower water consumption for the end user.
Glass cleaner bases were adjusted for rapid, streak-free drying on vertical surfaces and for resistance to dust accumulation in dry climates. Indoor and outdoor versions differed not only in fragrance but also in drying rate and surfactant balance.
Bleach formulas were stabilized to maintain active chlorine levels under higher ambient temperatures while remaining fully compatible with stainless-steel 316 equipment. Both scented and unscented grades were validated for long-term storage.
Oven and toilet cleaner formulas received careful attention to viscosity and surface cling so that the products would remain in contact with vertical or inclined surfaces long enough to act effectively.
All formulas were designed from the outset to be fully compatible with the automatic CIP systems already installed in the plant. This ensured that production lines could be cleaned efficiently between batches without residue or risk of cross-contamination.
5. Large-Scale Field Testing and Beta Evaluation
Laboratory performance alone is not sufficient. Before any formula was finalized, Sahi Rasa organized an extensive field-testing program. More than one hundred fragrance, color, and formula combinations were distributed to beta testers across the region. Structured feedback was collected on scent preference, perceived cleaning power, rinsability, skin feel after use, and overall satisfaction.
Formulas that performed well in the laboratory but received weak consumer scores were revised or eliminated. Only those that combined strong technical results with positive sensory feedback advanced to the independent laboratory stage. This dual filter — laboratory data plus real-user experience — significantly reduced the risk of market rejection after launch.
6. Independent Validation by Eurofins ATS Laboratories, France
To obtain objective, internationally recognized proof of performance, Sahi Rasa sent representative samples of the final formulations to Eurofins ATS in Aix-en-Provence, France. Eurofins is one of Europe’s most respected independent testing organizations for consumer products. The key results are presented below in clear technical language.
6.1 Bleach – Detergent Power (Neat Application)
In the standardized soil-removal test, the optimized bleach formula developed by Sahi Rasa achieved an average of 88 % soil removal. The reference sample achieved 60 %. The 28-percentage-point difference is statistically significant and demonstrates clear superiority of the final formulation.
6.2 Dishwashing Liquid – Grease-Cutting Power and Foam Endurance
Three commercial variants (GOLD, PREMIUM and APPROVED) were evaluated at 0.4 g/L and 45 °C. All three washed an average of 7 plates before fat began to redeposit. In foam endurance the GOLD variant reached 15 plates before full foam collapse, the PREMIUM variant 13 plates, and the APPROVED variant 12 plates. Overall, the three formulas delivered strong and commercially comparable performance, with the GOLD grade showing a modest advantage in foam longevity.
6.3 Glass Cleaner – Marks Assessment on Mirrors
The optimized glass cleaner scored a perfect average of 5.0 on the 1-to-5 scale (5 = completely free of marks). The reference sample scored 4.3 (no marks to slightly visible marks). The final formula therefore achieved zero visible residue under the test conditions.
6.4 Oven Cleaner – Degreasing of Re-cooked Fat
After a 10-minute contact time, the optimized anti-grease formula removed 17.9 % of soil in the horizontal position and 5.1 % in the vertical position. The reference sample achieved 11.9 % and 3.2 % respectively. Both products performed at a reliable level; the optimized version showed higher removal percentages in both orientations.
6.5 Toilet Cleaner – Limescale Removing Action
The most dramatic result was obtained with the toilet cleaner. The formula selected by Sahi Rasa removed an average of 2327.4 mg of simulated limescale, while the reference sample removed only 1.8 mg. This represents an exceptional descaling performance under realistic use conditions.
These independent Eurofins results provided clear quantitative evidence that the formulations met or exceeded international performance expectations.
7. Production Readiness and Handover
After the laboratory results were received and reviewed, all approved formulas underwent final compatibility checks with the factory’s equipment. Viscosity, density, foaming behavior, and chemical interaction with stainless-steel surfaces and CIP solutions were verified. Complete technical documentation — raw-material specifications, step-by-step manufacturing instructions, in-process quality-control parameters, and finished-product specifications — was prepared and handed over. This package enabled the factory to move directly into commercial production with full confidence in both performance and process safety.
8. Project Outcome and Broader Value
The detergent formulation design project executed by Sahi Rasa delivered a complete, production-ready product range that combines strong cleaning performance, modern and differentiated fragrances, rapid rinsability, and full compatibility with the plant’s existing infrastructure. The independent Eurofins data confirmed that the formulas stand up to rigorous European testing standards.
Beyond the specific factory in Kurdistan, the same methodology — market analysis, creative yet disciplined fragrance work, local adaptation, large-scale beta testing, and third-party laboratory validation — is available to detergent and chemical manufacturers across Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Georgia, and neighboring markets.
Conclusion and Invitation
Formulation is the invisible foundation of every successful detergent brand. When that foundation is built with engineering rigor, consumer insight, and independent verification, the products that reach the market perform consistently and earn lasting trust.
Sahi Rasa’s Industrial Department stands ready to apply the same disciplined approach to new or existing detergent projects. Whether you are establishing a green-field plant or upgrading an existing product portfolio, the formulation team can support you from concept to validated, production-ready formulas.
