A process for the preparation of a particulate washing or cleaning agent

The invention aims at providing particulate washing or cleaning agents, compounds or raw materials with apparent densities above 600 g/l for the latter which even with a reduced surface, in particular with a spherical shape disintegrate better when they are dissolved in an aqueous bath. Moreover, the particulate washing or cleaning agents, compounds or treated raw materials should be produced by joining washing or cleaning agent compounds and/or raw materials, at the same time as or after they are shaped. For that purpose, at first an essentially anhydrous premixture is produced, containing individual raw materials and/or compounds which are solid under standard conditions and have a melting or softening point not below 45 DEG C, as well as up to 10 wt % optional non-ionic surfactants which are liquid at temperatures below 45 DEG C and under 1 bar pressure. The mixture is granulated by applying compacting forces at temperatures of at least 45 DEG C, then further processed or conditioned; the premixture contains at least one raw material or compound which is solid under 1 bar pressure and at temperatures below 45 DEG C, but which melts under processing conditions, forming a molten mass which acts as a polyfunctional, water-soluble binder which serves as a lubricant during the production of the washing and cleaning agent and as an adhesive for the solid washing or cleaning agent compounds or raw materials, but which has a disintegrating effect when the washing or cleaning agent is dissolved again in an aqueous bath.