Mysore Sandal launches priciest soap ever

Though Karnataka was once renowned for its sandalwood trees, with the reduced cultivation of the aromatic tree, it is forced to import sandalwood oil.

With fewer farmers growing sandalwood trees and rampant smuggling in some parts of the State, Shivanand Naik, chairperson, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, told presspersons during the unveiling of a new premium soap on Wednesday, “We're now getting sandalwood oil from Chennai and other States.”

Sandalwood oil

The additional costs — 1 litre of sandalwood oil costs Rs. 2.1 lakh — incurred pinches the profitability of the company, which is already hit by rising sandalwood prices.

However, even as cost of one tonne of sandalwood has risen to Rs. 54 lakh, KS&DL has managed to be profitable. “From Rs. 98 crore loss three years ago, we have posted profits in the tune of Rs. 6 crore last year. This year we hope to get more than Rs. 10 crore as profit,” Mr. Naik said.

The sustainability of the profits relies on buying locally produced sandalwood. “We have tied up with the Forest Department to grow sandalwood, as well as distribute saplings to farmers to cultivate it.” He hoped that the State would be self-sufficient in sandalwood production within 10 years.

Millennium's product

Launched at the function by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, with Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje, Environment Minister Krishna Palemar among others in tow, was Mysore Sandal Millennium. Touted as the Queen of Soaps, the soap is priced at a heady Rs. 720, making it the costliest indigenously produced soap (a big step up for the company considering that the previously costliest Mysore Sandal soap was Rs. 70).

KS&DL said that unlike other premium skincare products, the soap is completely ‘vegetarian', having vegetable oils instead of animal fats. The company hoped that the soap would attract demand from foreign markets.

On what made the soap so expensive, Mr. Naik said that 150 gram soap contains 3 per cent pure sandalwood oil.