Market Readiness Analysis

4.1.3 Detergents
Within the Lebanese market, the experts in the Detergent category are aware of
the sustainability aspect of their industry however once again they don’t believe
that the distribution of sustainable detergents can help enhance their business. In
parallel, there is no clear labeling scheme in the Lebanese market since even on
the international arena the sustainability aspect is still freshly explored. We can
find some local detergent manufacturing – both powder and liquid forms but it
cannot fulfill the demand of the Lebanese market. Local manufacturers as well as
importing agents are willing to gradually shift to sustainable products should
there be a need or regulations enacted by the Lebanese government.
Detergents, residential or industrial, by their very nature are harmful to the
environment. However throughout the years many responsible activities were
initiated by this industry thus improving its products along with its public image.
To earn the label of sustainable detergent, product should contain chemicals that
are not harmful or toxic – biodegradable –, be water efficient – requires less
water and/or lower temperature, should fulfill green manufacturing process,
packaging, and distribution processes.
4.1.3.1 Detergents Categories
a. Liquid Detergents
This category comprises all liquid detergents such as liquid soap for
hand wash, body wash, shampoos, multipurpose cleaning agents,
dishwashing agents, and stain removers among others as well as
all detergents under the form of gel cleaning agents.
b. Solid Detergent
This category comprises all paste and powder agents such as
multipurpose cleaning, hand and machine clothes washing, shaving
foam and stain removers.
Often the words "soap" and "detergent" are used interchangeably, but really they
are quite different things. A detergent – in its liquid or solid form – is a chemical
substance used to break up and remove grease and grime, while soap is simply
one kind of detergent. Soap has a long history and was originally made from
purely natural products like goat's fat and wood ash. Today, detergents are more
likely to be a mixture of synthetic chemicals and additives cooked up in a huge
chemical plant and, unlike traditional soap they are generally liquids rather than
solids. The most important ingredients in detergents are chemicals called
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