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A sustainable hygiene product from Zurich

22.4.2020

Translation: machine translated

The natural cosmetics line from Zurich-based soap manufacturer Soeder has a new member: Hand sanitiser. On the one hand, there couldn't have been a better time for the launch, and on the other hand, there couldn't have been a worse time.

You can hardly get past Soeder natural soaps in Zurich. Whether in a restaurant or in a friend's bathroom - the soap dispensers are popular in many places. Not least because the scent of essential oils lingers in your nose for several minutes after washing your hands. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, I have been using natural hygiene products from home. I find out about the new hand sanitiser, which is largely made by hand in the factory in Schwerzenbach, via social media. The collective had already been working on this before the coronavirus outbreak. In this interview, co-founder Hanna Åkerström tells me how the launch of the new product was successful despite the coronavirus crisis.

How did you come up with the idea of expanding your line with the "Hand Sanitiser"?Hanna Åkerström: We use sanitiser every day in our company. Just for our own use, we needed a better product than what was available on the market. As with all our products, this is what drove us here too. We don't want to reinvent the world, but we want to make it as good as possible.

So the timing of the product launch was a coincidence?
Yes, the product itself was nothing new for us. We had been developing a disinfectant for a long time. But we were in no hurry. Suddenly the enquiries came of their own accord.

What about the composition?
We developed the recipe based on our values: The ingredients are 100 per cent natural. A disinfectant needs certain ingredients to function. The quantities of the individual ingredients are important for the product's effect. In addition, we wanted the skin to be cared for. Aloe vera is ideal for this. Our entire cosmetics line is scented with natural essential oils. We didn't do without this in the sanitiser either.

The Soeder design collective: Johan Olzon, Kalle Westbom and Hanna Åkerström (from left to right). Image: Mathyas Kurmann

How long was the process from the idea to production
? Our development process always takes several months and includes many test phases, because the quality of the product is very important to us. Our standards specify which employees we work with and where we produce. The end product also has to be something better than what is already available so that it makes sense for us.

You have chosen a time for the launch when disinfectants have become a scarce commodity worldwide. How difficult is it to procure the ingredients at the moment?

Luckily, we were at an advanced stage of development. We had already done the biggest and most intensive work when the coronavirus pandemic broke out. Nevertheless, a lot is still stuck at customs. Suppliers and producers have the same difficulties and can't always get their goods themselves. This means they can't supply us either. So far, we've had the most problems getting pumps and bottles. After a bit of waiting, we have now found a way with suppliers who have been supplying us for a long time.

Are there any other bottlenecks?
Synthetic ethanol, which is used to produce disinfectants, is on sale in many places. We are "lucky" that this shortage does not affect us. As we only use natural ingredients - including natural ethanol. We hope that this will remain the case and that we can continue to produce. After all, everything can change from day to day.

The Soeder cosmetics line consists of soaps, shampoos and deodorants, among other things. All of the ingredients used come 100 per cent from nature. This makes the selection of fragrances and the scents authentic.

The hand sanitiser contains aloe vera and glycerine to protect the skin, while ethanol and caustic soda disinfect.

What are your takeaways from this time?
Due to the high demand and time pressure, we have learnt to work more efficiently. We were also supported by a wonderful colleague who recently joined Soeder. We had to change a lot because of social distancing and initially had difficulties. We have now overcome these well.

Will you continue to offer the hand sanitiser after the crisis?Sure, even if it's only for our own use! We will continue to produce the sanitiser as we need it ourselves every day in production and it is important to us that our employees don't get dry hands at work.

Hand sanitiser

Soeder* Natural Hand Sanitizer 2x100ml - Herbal Aloe

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Pia Seidel

Senior Editor

Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

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