Process for making high density detergent agglomerates using an anhydrous powder additive

A process for preparing high density detergent agglomerates comprising the steps of:

• (a) charging a viscous surfactant paste into a mixer/densifier wherein said surfactant paste has a viscosity of from about 5,000 cps to about 100,000 cps and contains from about 70% to 95%, by weight of said surfactant paste, of a detersive surfactant and the balance water;
• (b) adding from about 1% to about 70% by weight of an anhydrous material selected from the group consisting of carbonates, sulfates, carbonate/sulfate complexes, tripolyphosphates, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, citrates, aluminosilicates, cellulose-based materials and organic synthetic polymeric absorbent gelling materials into said surfactant paste just prior to entrance into said mixer/densifier to absorb at least a minor amount of said water from said surfactant paste;
• and
• (c) agglomerating said surfactant paste and said anhydrous material by treating said surfactant paste and said anhydrous material initially in a high speed mixer/densifier and subsequently in a moderate speed mixer/densifier so as to form detergent agglomerates having a density of at least about 650 g/l.