Practitioners from North America and Europe describe current and emerging process and chemical technologies used to formulate compact powdered detergents, which were added to the market by the Japanese in 1988. They consider the technological developments fundamental to powder compaction, such as replacing traditional phosphate builders and introducing insoluble zeolites as particle process aids; modern production methods, including traditional spray-drying, non-tower particle-making, and post- tower densification; novel technologies to build and disperse surfactants; soil release polymers; and other topics. They also review the mechanisms of detergents, and safety and regulatory matters. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.