Chapter 2: Other surfactants · Part 4: Soap
Sodium palmate and sodium palm kernelate
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The worst fact: oil palm plantations were the largest single cause of deforestation in Indonesia from 2001 to 2016, at 23% of it, peaking at almost 40% in 2008–2009 before falling below 15% by 2014–2016.
Why brands use it: palm and palm kernel oil are common soap fats.
Take care if: no specific group; the concern is environmental.
Comes from: palm oil (palmate) or palm kernel oil (palm kernelate) boiled with caustic soda.
Myth check: "Palm oil alone is wiping out orangutans": a 2018 study estimated more than 100,000 Bornean orangutans were lost between 1999 and 2015, but land clearance caused "only a small proportion of the total loss", a finding the authors said is consistent with studies reporting hunting as a major cause.
Contaminants: nil. (Badly made soap can carry leftover caustic soda; see sodium tallowate.)
Fair to say: RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil was about 20 to 21% of world supply in 2025 (RSPO's own figures). Even Australian food can list palm oil simply as "vegetable oil".
Correct as of November 2026. What the badges mean
Sources
- RSPO. Annual communications of progress 2025; Impact Report 2026.
- Austin KG et al. What causes deforestation in Indonesia? Environ Res Lett 2019.
- Voigt M et al. Global demand for natural resources eliminated more than 100,000 Bornean orangutans. Curr Biol 2018.
The full source list is at the end of Chapter 2.