SummaryIn this discussion we have attempted to cover pertinent factors concerning the production and applications of solid fatty acid soaps, with particular emphasis on how the fatty acid characteristics come into play. We have avoided reference to specific formulations because these must be kept in the realm of metallic soap manufacturers’ “know how.” Those interested in modifiers and their effect on metallic soaps can find reference material in past issues of the Journal of American Oil Chemists’ Society (for example, reference 9) and in the patent literature.Reference to theoretical considerations of metallic soap structure has also been avoided as in this area the reader can again find reference material in the Journal of American Oil Chemists’ Society (for example, reference 10).