The Future of Detergents1

The chemistry of soap manufacturing stayed essentially the same until 1916, when the first synthetic detergent was developed in Germany in response to a World War I-related shortage of fats for making soap. Known today simply as detergents, synthetic detergents are non-soap washing and cleaning products that are 'synthesized' or put together chemically from a variety of raw materials. The discovery of detergents was also driven by the need for a cleaning agent that, unlike soap, would not combine with the mineral salts in water to form an insoluble substance known as soap curd. 

Household detergent production in the United States began in the early 1930s, but did not really take off until after World War II. The war-time interruption of fat and oil supplies as well as the military's need for a cleaning agent that would work in mineral-rich sea water and in cold water had further stimulated research on detergents. 

The first detergents were used chiefly for hand dishwashing and fine fabric laundering. The breakthrough in the development of detergents for all-purpose laundry uses came in 1946, when the first 'built' detergent (containing a surfactant/builder combination) was introduced in the U.S. The surfactant is a detergent product's basic cleaning ingredient, while the builder helps the surfactant to work more efficiently. Phosphate compounds used as builders in these detergents vastly improved performance, making them suitable for cleaning heavily soiled laundry. 

By 1953, sales of detergents in this country had surpassed those of soap. Now detergents have all but replaced soap-based products for laundering, dishwashing and household cleaning. Detergents (alone or in combination with soap) are also found in many of the bars and liquids used for personal cleansing. 

Since those early achievements in detergent and builder chemistry, new product activity has continued to focus on developing cleaning products that are efficient and easy to use, as well as safe for consumers and for the environment. Here's a summary of some of those innovations: 
 

1950s 
Automatic dishwasher powders 
Liquid laundry, hand dishwashing and all-purpose cleaning products 
Fabric softeners (rinse-cycle added) 
Detergent with oxygen bleach 
 

1980s 
Detergents for cooler water washing 
Automatic dishwasher liquids 
Concentrated laundry powders 
 

1960s 
Prewash soil and stain removers 
Laundry powders with enzymes 
Enzyme presoaks 
 

1990s 
Ultra (super concentrated) powder and liquid detergents 
Ultra fabric softeners 
Automatic dishwasher gels 
Laundry and cleaning product refills 
 

1970s 
Liquid hand soaps 
Fabric softeners (sheets and wash-cycle added) 
Multifunctional products (e.g., detergent with fabric softener) 
 

2000s

Disposable cleaning wipes

Pre-measured dissolvable packets

Spa scents and natural options

With the technology of water soluble film applied to the detergent industry, there are many new forms of the detergent coming out. We thinking about the best form for it and also for the future. From the materials we have mainly two from liquid and powder,if we could pack this two together in one water soluble thing would be great! With this concept and the advantage of the water soluble film technology people can now make these kinds of new products. Keep the materials in it's original form will save great amount of energy and in the packing and delivery stage water soluble film decrease the usage of plastic about 95%. It's also turn out to be a solution to help with save plastic. 

In future we might see more pre-measured pods or other form packed maybe liquid and powder or other form of materials and delivery you the best clean result and at same time help our planet.