In the department, soap factories have multiplied in recent years. The Soap Mill was one of the first companies to arrive on the market in 2015.
When she discovered the world of soaps by chance, Viviane Poirson immediately imagined opening her own business. “What decided me was that there was no soap factory in the department. And I saw some elsewhere that were a hit. I said to myself, 'I'm sure it's going to work.'
A pioneer in Indre-et-Loire, she launched her soap factory, Le Moulin à Savon, in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps in 2015. “I had done a master's degree in French as a foreign language and I taught for a few yearsshe explains. But I knew very early on that I wanted to do an artisanal job, if possible with local agricultural materials and essential oils. I needed something more manual, more concrete. I needed to touch the material. »
The sector has one advantage: the initial investment is low. “What is expensive is the validation of the recipes by a toxicologist. For the rest, it's mainly kitchen equipment, pots, molds, whisks, etc. »
Customers responded and from 2016, the soap factory experienced exponential growth. Her husband joins her in her activity. She started working with Amap, organic stores in the department, and went to the markets.
“The offer is too great”
She also chose to take the Nature et Progrès mention: “I joined a network of local producers and it made me very aware of agricultural issues. From now on, I am very involved in smallholder agriculture. » She has also developed a range of soaps with 100% French ingredients, Le Petit Tourangeau.
The move of the soap factory to Reugny, the organic crisis and the increase in the number of soap factories in the department led to a significant drop in its activity, of around 20% of turnover. Since 2021, this has only dropped.
“The supply is a little too great compared to the demand. This is surprising because in the Loiret, soap factories are few in number. Is it the tourist aspect of the department that plays a role? I don't know “she confides. There are around fifteen soap factories in Indre-et-Loire.
The drop in activity, however, made him want to explore his creativity. Viviane Poirson continues to develop her product ranges, including facial balms and oils. “I feel that activity will pick up”she says, optimistically.
