Process for the manufacture of granular detergent compositions comprising nonionic surfactant

A process for the manufacture of detergent compositions from a surfactant paste which is substantially in the solid phase at temperatures of 25.degree. C. and below comprising the steps of:

• (i) mixing the surfactant paste at a temperature above its softening point, the surfactant paste consisting essentially of at least 50% by weight of nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxy sulfates, alkyl alkoxy carboxylates, sulfated polyglycosides and oleyl sarcosinates, wherein the weight ratio of the anionic surfactant to the nonionic surfactant is from 1:100 to 1:1;
• (ii) forming the molten surfactant paste into drops on a cooling surface;
• (iii) forming solid pastilles by cooling the drops of molten surfactant paste;
• and
• (iv) removing solidified pastilles from the cooling surface.