Our Soap Production

Mohamad and the FAIR SQUARED soaps

It couldn't have happened better for us - we are convinced of that! When we decided at the end of 2018 to expand our range to include handmade soaps made from fair trade raw materials, one of these fateful encounters took place. Because at this point we had already produced the first prototypes of our natural soaps and were in the process of starting the planning in more detail. Who should occupy our production in the future, which types of soap should complement the FAIR SQUARED range and how can we make all of this as sustainable and fair as possible? These and similar questions preoccupied us when we received a fateful response to our advertisement that aroused our curiosity.

THE COLOGNE “ALEPPO MAN” CONTACT US

A nice person from Cologne turned to us, whose résumé immediately cast a spell over us. Mohamad Khiro, who had been living with his wife and six children in a southern part of Cologne for a few years, applied. When we invited him over, he told us his story, which we would not like to withhold from you.

WAR ZONE OF SYRIA: ORIGIN OF THE WORLD FAMOUS ALEPPOE SOAP

The Syrian city of Aleppo, from the Khiro family, is known worldwide for its natural soap production. Quite a few people therefore automatically associate Aleppo with handmade soap. However, the history of the city is inevitably linked to the civil war events of recent years. Like many other people, Mohamad and his family got to feel this first hand before they finally made their way to Germany via the intermediate station in Lebanon.

FROM ALEPPO TO COLOGNE

Even if it sounds a bit clichéd, this is a true story: In his home town of Aleppo, Mohamad ran a flourishing company for many years, which ended up producing and selling soaps and cleaning agents with 15 employees. But as events intensified after 2011, his company and his family's home were completely destroyed. The thought of leaving the country solidified. After a one and a half year stopover in Lebanon, his path finally led to Germany in December 2013. The Khiros have been living in our direct neighborhood, the cathedral city of Cologne, since 2015. As far as Mohamad is concerned, the subject of soap has never really let him go. In 2017 he founded a small business to be able to dedicate himself to the production of Aleppo soap again. But that was just the beginning ...

SO ONE LEADED TO THE OTHER

Mohamad has been an integral part of our team since the beginning of 2019. To be honest, we couldn't have believed it ourselves if he hadn't come to see us personally at the right time. At FAIR SQUARED, Mohamad can do exactly what he did in Syria for many years with great commitment. At the same time, we as a team are really happy that he has joined us.

AND WHAT EXACTLY IS MOHAMAD DOING WITH US NOW?

Mohamad - whom we affectionately call "Aleppo Man" - uses traditional craftsmanship to produce the famous Syrian curd soap, which does not contain any perfumes, artificial flavours, colourings or preservatives. And since he produces them for us as a Fairtrade company, we of course only use Fairtrade olive oil and high-quality organically grown bay oil.

HANDMADE FAIRTRADE SOAPS FROM THE RHINELAND

In addition to the traditional Syrian natural soap, Mohamad also produces other types of solid soaps for us, including the FAIR SQUARED Kölsch soap with organic beer from the Heller brewery. This is conceived as a hair soap and, depending on the composition, has a particularly nourishing effect for the different hair and scalp types. The underlying idea behind our beer soaps is that the hops-containing drink was used as a home remedy for skin and hair care due to its high content of minerals and trace elements. It is said to have real miracle effects. Just as wonderful as the thought of our personal destiny.