Black soap and life on the water: when every action counts

A few days ago, we had the privilege of being invited by Coop Mercator for a day of discussions on navigation, onboard maintenance, and our black soap made with camelina oil.

It was a meeting that reminded us of a simple truth: when you live on the water, you quickly become aware of the impact of every action you take.

After all, everything we use ends up somewhere.

And often, that "somewhere" is nature itself.

	On board, every product must earn its place When preparing a sailboat, pontoon, or even an RV, space is limited. Every item carried has a specific function. Experienced boaters know that having too many products is neither practical nor desirable.
This is one of the reasons why Coop Mercator has been using our black soap since last year for multiple tasks on board: - dishes; - surfaces; - cabin; - washrooms; - general maintenance; - certain hull cleaning operations. One product to meet several needs. Less clutter. Fewer bottles. More simplicity.
A discussion that took us back to the history of black soap Throughout the day, we had great discussions with Jean-Michel and Valérie, Toulouse natives traveling, about the history of black soap in Europe. What struck us was how much this product is part of the household heritage of many French families. For generations, black soap held a prominent place in homes. It was used for floors, laundry, cooking, workshops, etc.

Then, from the second half of the 20th century, the massive arrival of synthetic detergents and specialized products profoundly transformed consumption habits. Many traditional soap factories closed their doors, and artisanal know-how gradually lost ground. The historic Marseille soap industry, in particular, suffered a significant decline under the pressure of industrial detergents.

The 1980s: a turning point

Paradoxically, while the 1980s marked the peak of industrial household products, they also represented the beginning of a movement back to traditional products.

Several historic soap factories report that from the 1980s onwards, consumers began to rediscover authentic products, made using proven methods and composed of simple ingredients.

This movement has continued to grow ever since.

Today, all over France, new artisanal soap factories are emerging or being reborn under the impetus of passionate entrepreneurs. There are now several hundred artisanal soap factories in France, driven by growing demand for more natural, more local, and more transparent products.

The return to basics for French families

During our exchanges, we realized that this phenomenon extends far beyond soap.

It's a genuine return to basics.

• Consumers want to understand what they are using.
• They want shorter ingredient lists. They want to reduce the number of products under their sink.
• They are looking for versatile solutions that actually work.
• Ultimately, they are returning to practices that their grandparents already knew.

Black soap is one of those timeless products that transcend generations.

a vision that aligns with abieze At abieze, we don't believe in having a different product for every task. Instead, we believe in the power of a well-chosen raw material. Our black soap made with camelina oil is part of this philosophy: to offer a versatile, high-performing solution inspired by long-proven expertise. This day with Coop Mercator reminded us why we do this work.

Because beyond cleaning, there is a broader reflection on our consumption habits. Because a product can be effective without being complicated.

And because when we are surrounded by nature, whether on a sailboat, at the cottage, or at home, we often realize that the simplest solutions are sometimes the best.

What about you?

Do you already use black soap in your boat, RV, or cottage? You might be surprised to see everything just one product can accomplish.