Product Overview Cotton Linter Pulp

Refined cotton linter pulp is a purified, high-alpha-cellulose dissolving pulp produced from cotton linters — the short fibres remaining on cottonseed after ginning. Once opened, purified, and pressed into rolls, it becomes a near-pure cellulose feedstock suited for chemical conversion into cellulose ethers, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, and regenerated cellulose fibres.

ZHAOYUAN supplies refined cotton linter pulp in two grades tailored to different downstream chemistries: a high-DP, high-alpha-cellulose grade (Model CPT-2500) used as feedstock for CMC and PAC cellulose ether production, and a tighter-tolerance X60 grade meeting the DP, purity, and trace-metal specifications required for industrial nitrocellulose manufacturing. Every batch is tested and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA).

Grades & Specifications

High-DP, high-alpha-cellulose grade used as reactor feedstock for CMC and PAC cellulose ether production. Values below are actual test results from a verified production batch (Certificate of Analysis No. MJP26021001, dated 2026.02.10) — a Certificate of Analysis confirming these parameters is issued with every shipment.

ParameterSpecification
ModelCPT-2500
AppearanceWhite refined cotton pulp, supplied in rolls
Degree of Polymerization (DP)2576
Alpha-Cellulose Content99.5%
Ash Content0.08%
Iron Content4 ppm
Basis Weight (Grammage)768 g/m²
Brightness85.6%
Moisture Content7.08%
Dirt Count95 mm²/500g
PackagingRolls, COA issued per batch

Representative batch data — COA available on request. Actual specifications may vary slightly batch to batch within qualified tolerances.

Key Features

  • Very high alpha-cellulose content (99.5%) for high-purity cellulose ether output
  • High DP (2576) suited for high-viscosity CMC/PAC grades
  • Low ash and iron content reduces discoloration and side reactions during alkalization/etherification
  • Supplied in roll form for straightforward feeding into cotton opening and pulverizing equipment
  • Every batch verified by Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Tighter-tolerance grade formulated for consistent reactivity in industrial nitrocellulose manufacturing (used in lacquers, coatings, and printing inks). DP is held to a narrower band than the CMC/PAC grade, with stricter trace-metal limits.

ParameterSpecification
ModelX60
Alpha-Cellulose Content> 98%
Moisture Content< 7%
Ash Contentmax 0.15%
Degree of Polymerization (DP)980 – 1050
Sulfate Insoluble Matter< 0.1%
Brightness> 85.1%
Iron Content< 10 ppm
Calcium Contentmax 120 ppm
PackagingRolls, COA issued per batch

Key Features

  • DP tightly controlled to 980–1050 for consistent, repeatable processing
  • Low iron and calcium content minimizes trace-metal-catalyzed degradation
  • Low sulfate-insoluble matter for a clean, contaminant-free pulp
  • Every batch verified by Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Applications

CMC / PAC Production
Primary reactor feedstock for sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyanionic cellulose, via alkalization and etherification.
Nitrocellulose / Lacquer Industry
High-purity feedstock for industrial nitrocellulose used in lacquers, coatings, and printing inks.
Cellulose Acetate
Dissolving-grade feedstock for cellulose acetate used in filter tow, film base, and plastics manufacturing.
Viscose / Rayon Production
High alpha-cellulose purity makes cotton linter pulp a preferred feedstock for regenerated cellulose fibre manufacturing.
HPMC / Methylcellulose
Feedstock for other cellulose ether derivatives beyond CMC/PAC, subject to grade and DP requirements.
Other Industrial Cellulose Chemistry
Contact us with your target DP, alpha-cellulose content, and application for a tailored grade.

Storage & Trade Information

Storage Conditions Store in a cool, dry warehouse away from moisture, direct sunlight, and open flame or other ignition sources. Refined cotton pulp is a combustible cellulosic material and can generate combustible dust during handling — keep storage and handling areas free of ignition sources.
Packaging Supplied in rolls; roll dimensions and basis weight confirmed at order time. Custom packaging available on request.
Shelf Life Effectively unlimited under proper dry storage conditions; re-testing recommended if stored beyond 12 months.
HS Code 4706.10 (Cotton linters pulp)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is refined cotton linter pulp used for?

Refined cotton linter pulp is a high-purity dissolving-grade cellulose feedstock. It is used as the primary raw material for CMC and PAC cellulose ether production, as well as for industrial nitrocellulose manufacturing (used in lacquers, coatings, and printing inks), cellulose acetate, and viscose/rayon production.

What's the difference between the CMC/PAC grade and the nitrocellulose grade (X60)?

The CMC/PAC grade (Model CPT-2500) has a much higher degree of polymerization (DP 2576) and alpha-cellulose content (99.5%), suited for high-viscosity cellulose ether production. The nitrocellulose grade (X60) has a lower, tightly controlled DP range (980–1050) and stricter limits on sulfate-insoluble matter and calcium content, which are required for consistent nitration reactivity.

Why does alpha-cellulose content matter for cellulose ether production?

Alpha-cellulose content indicates the proportion of high-molecular-weight, chemically usable cellulose in the pulp. Higher alpha-cellulose content (such as the 99.5% found in our CMC/PAC grade) means fewer impurities entering the alkalization and etherification reactions, resulting in higher-purity, more consistent finished cellulose ether.

What form is the cotton linter pulp supplied in?

Cotton linter pulp is supplied in roll form, consistent with standard dissolving pulp trade practice. Roll dimensions and basis weight (grammage) are confirmed at order time and verified by Certificate of Analysis for each production batch.

Is a Certificate of Analysis (COA) provided with every shipment?

Yes. Every batch is tested for DP, alpha-cellulose content, ash content, iron content, brightness, moisture content, and dirt count, with results issued as a Certificate of Analysis (COA) prior to shipment. Sample COAs are available on request.

How should refined cotton linter pulp be stored?

Store in a cool, dry warehouse away from moisture, direct sunlight, and open flame or other ignition sources. Refined cotton pulp is a combustible cellulosic material and can generate combustible dust during handling, so storage and handling areas should be kept free of ignition sources.

What is the minimum order and lead time for cotton linter pulp?

Minimum order is 1 MT (negotiable), with a typical lead time of 7–15 days depending on grade and quantity. Contact us with your required grade, DP range, and quantity to confirm current lead times.

What factors affect the price of cotton linter pulp?

Pricing depends on grade (CMC/PAC feedstock grade or nitrocellulose grade), degree of polymerization, alpha-cellulose content, order quantity, and destination/shipping terms. Contact us with your specification and quantity for a quote.

Is ZHAOYUAN a cotton linter pulp manufacturer or a trading company?

ZHAOYUAN supplies refined cotton linter pulp directly from China with export capability for bulk orders worldwide. We also design and supply the cotton opening, pulverizing, and reactor equipment used to process this pulp into CMC and PAC, giving customers both a verified raw material source and equipment/EPC expertise for their own production lines.