An industrial visit to Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd. (KSDL), one of India's oldest and most renowned soap manufacturing companies was conducted on 10th October 2025. The visit was educational and insightful, offering students a practical understanding of large-scale manufacturing processes, especially those involving traditional and modern methods of soap production.

KSDL is the manufacturer of the world-famous Mysore Sandal Soap, established under the patronage of the Wodeyar Royal Family of Mysore and the visionary engineer and statesman Sir M. Visvesvaraya. The company is a legacy institution in Karnataka and holds the distinction of being among the few in the world that manufacture soap using pure sandalwood oil.

Visit Highlights
The visit began with a tour of the KSDL Museum, where a video documentary was shown. The film highlighted the origin and history of the company, Contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and the Wodeyars, the traditional methods of oil extraction from sandalwood, and the journey from raw material to the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap this gave students a strong background of the company's historical significance and technological evolution.

Students were then taken to view a real sandalwood tree, where the guide explained:

• How to identify the formation of heartwood, which is the core part of the tree used for oil extraction
• The process of extracting sandalwood oil, a key ingredient in the soap
• This section emphasized the rarity and value of sandalwood oil, and the care taken in its extraction

Visit to the Soap Division
The next part of the visit was to the soap manufacturing division, where students witnessed 11 active production lines, with 2 fully automatic lines, the step-by-step transformation of raw materials into finished soap bars, stamping and packaging operations, where the soap is given its iconic shape, branding, and is packed for distribution. The use of modern machinery alongside traditional techniques impressed upon students the blend of heritage and innovation at KSDL.

The industrial visit to KSDL was a great success. It provided valuable insights into the industrial manufacturing process of soaps, the heritage and cultural importance of sandalwood in Karnataka, and the real-world application of concepts related to production, packaging, and quality control.

Such visits bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience, making them an essential part of professional education. The team at KSDL was cooperative and informative, making the visit highly engaging and educational.