The history of SEPAWA contains a variety of facets with regards to the history of the soap boiler craft and its succeeding technologies for the production of cleaning products and hygiene as well as for the comfort of our every day lives. SEPAWA reflects the detailed and versatile efforts of its members in keeping a professional association active over centuries and in revitalising it, despite difficult historical events.

S E P A W A – Association of Soap, Perfume and Detergent Experts e.V. with some 1.200 members is counted among Europe's largest independent national expert associations.

1755 – existence of a soap boiler guild in Munich

The roots of SEPAWA go back to the 18. century. During that time, according to legislative regulations, the existence of regional soap boiler and candle maker associations was limited only to single cities in the form of guilds and fraternities.

These associations represented the interests of self-employed and employed professionals and passed on expertise and technical know-how. This trusting relationship, without any political tendencies, has remained the pillar of professional associations till today.

In Munich a corresponding guild was established in the year 1755. We still have the gold plated brass cup that was received in the subsequent year. On the silver plates are the names of three soap boilers: Ignati Krasenk 1756, Anton Ritz 1756, and Aegidi Riener 1759.

This soap boiler guild in Munich existed until the beginning of 1860 and became an association that was later dissolved again according to former laws, due to not enough members and lacking funds. However, it was granted to continue existing as a guild.

1900 – Formation of the "Association of soap boilers and perfumers" in Munich

Already by 1892 the guild members had decided for a re-foundation of an association of soap boilers. Nevertheless, only with the encouragement of Peter Krebitz did it become a reality in Munich on 8.12.1900. On that day, with Jakob Munz as chairman, it was unanimously agreed to form an "Association of soap boilers and perfumers" based in Munich. The organ of the association was to be the "Soap boiler- journal Augsburg".

Together with the association of Bavarian soap manufacturers the succeeded to offer an chemistry course for soap production at the Royal School of Industry.
For this course the publishing company of the soap boiler-journal, Hans Ziolkowsky, donated an education reward. Up to this day this journal, now published as SOFW Journal, has remained the organ of our association.

In the Year 1913, at the general meeting in Leipzig, members of members of the soap boiler association founded in Berlin in 1909 attended in order to set off preparations for a merger of the two associations. At that time the Munich association counted 504 members.

1920 – National merger of the associations of Berlin and Munich.

On 18. April 1920 the merger of the two associations was inaugurated by the board, with Franz Köppen as 1. Chairman, at an outstanding general meting in Berlin. Thus, for the first time since the existence of soap boiler guilds arose a national expert association.

This association prevailed until the end of the second world war, until it finally collapsed due to the economic break-down.

1953 – New beginnings

After the war Jochen Lehmann organised, on his own initiative, a monthly circular service regarding “Information exchange among soap boilers”. He also encourages a re-formation of the expert association. Finally in Frankfurt, from 24. – 26.10.1953 the first soap boiler conference takes place again, in cooperation with the German Society of Fat-science.

1954 – Re-foundation of SEPAWA

In Ludwighafen, after the annual conference of soap boilers, on 24.10.1954 foundation conference of SEPAWA – Association of soap, perfume and detergent experts e.V.

In the following year the annual national convention takes place in Bad Dürkheim for the first time, where all other conventions without exception are held. It is also where the 50. SEPAWA-Convention in the year 2003 was held.

Due to the continuously growing extend of the convention and the high attendance figure of more than 1.400 participants, the SEPAWA Congress moved to Würzburg in 2004. Since that year the Congress is held in the convention center of the Maritim-Hotel Würzburg.

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