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Indeed today conformance to chemical specification no longer guarantees
a product's performance potential. Ironically many soap base manufacturers still
rely solely on chemical tests on their soap base for product acceptance criteria.
Consumers on the other hand, "measures" the performance of a product based on sensory
evaluations. The chemical specification, usually drawn up by the formulation chemist,
contains the most important elements that assure the intended quality of the product.
It is perhaps of great importance at the product development stage but is usually
taken for granted when it leaves the research table. Such ignorance is not detrimental
as the chemical specification, forming the contractual requirement, is usually met when
a product is delivered. What is more important to the process engineer, procurement
personnel or the ultimate user is the product's processing characteristics, cost
benefit and the "feel good" factor respectively.
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