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Cellulose fiber is a naturally occurring, linear polysaccharide composed of β-1,4-linked D-glucose units that form tightly packed microfibrils, giving it exceptional tensile strength, rigidity, and thermal stability as the primary structural component of plant cell walls.
Functionally, cellulose fiber serves as a versatile performance additive across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, construction, filtration, and polymer composite systems, providing thickening, stabilization, reinforcement, moisture management, and dietary fiber functionality.
Environmentally, cellulose fiber is fully renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic, and derived from sustainable biomass, making it a critical biomaterial for modern industries and an essential component in sustainable materials science and next-generation biocomposites.
CAS Number: 9004-34-6
EC Number: 232-674-9
Molecular Formula: (C6H10O5)n
Molecular Weight: 162.14 g/mol
Synonyms: Cellulose, Plant cellulose, Dietary fiber (insoluble), Insoluble cellulose, Powdered cellulose, Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), Nanocellulose, Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), Fibrillated cellulose, Wood cellulose, Cotton cellulose, Cellulosic fiber, Natural cellulose fiber, Purified cellulose, α-Cellulose, β-Cellulose, Chemical pulp fiber, Wood pulp fiber, Plant fiber, Lignocellulosic fiber (cellulose fraction), Biomass-derived fiber, Regenerated cellulose fiber, Cellulosic pulp, Cellulose powder, Cellulose floc, Fiber cellulose, Cellulose reinforcement fiber, Cellulose microparticles, Microfiber cellulose, Technical cellulose fiber, Food-grade cellulose, Pharmaceutical-grade cellulose, MCC PH-series (trade naming pattern), E460 (food additive code), Dietary bulk fiber, Texturizing cellulose, Cellulose thickener, Cellulose filler, Cellulose binder, Cellulose stabilizer, Cellulose structurant, Biocellulose, Cellulose matrix fiber, Comminuted cellulose, Refined cellulose, Bleached cellulose fiber, Cellulose-based fiber, Cellulose additive, Natural biopolymer fiber
Cellulose fiber is a naturally occurring, linear polysaccharide composed of β-1,4-linked D-glucose units and represents the primary structural component of plant cell walls.
As one of the most abundant organic polymers on Earth, cellulose exhibits a highly ordered crystalline microfibril architecture reinforced by extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding, giving the fiber exceptional tensile strength, rigidity, and thermal stability.
In its purified form, Cellulose fiber appears as a white to off-white, odorless, insoluble fibrous powder, which disperses readily in water to form stable suspensions depending on particle size, degree of polymerization, and surface chemistry.
Industrially, Cellulose fiber is commonly produced from wood pulp, cotton linters, or agricultural biomass through mechanical, chemical, or combined pulping processes that remove lignin, hemicellulose, extractives, and other non-cellulosic components.
The resulting purified cellulose may undergo controlled milling, refining, or enzymatic pre-treatment to achieve specific fiber lengths, surface areas, and rheological behaviors suitable for different applications.
Specialty grades include microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), powdered cellulose, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), and nanocellulose, each offering distinct functional properties such as thickening, stabilization, reinforcement, or texturization.
Functionally, Cellulose fiber serves as a versatile performance additive in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, construction, filtration, and polymer composite systems.
In food technology, Cellulose fiber acts as a bulking agent, fat replacer, texturizer, anti-caking agent, moisture-retention aid, and dietary fiber source.
In pharmaceuticals, Cellulose fiber improves tablet hardness, flowability, disintegration, and controlled-release behavior.
In cosmetics and personal care products, Cellulose fiber enhances sensory feel, stabilizes emulsions, improves viscosity, and provides natural, biodegradable structuring.
Industrially, Cellulose fiber is widely used as a reinforcement material in plastics, coatings, paper, insulation, and cementitious composites due to its high tensile modulus, low density, and biodegradability.
Environmentally, Cellulose fiber is fully renewable, biodegradable, compostable, non-toxic, and derived from sustainable biomass sources.
Cellulose fiber's combination of mechanical strength, chemical stability, biocompatibility, and functional versatility makes Cellulose fiber a critical biomaterial across numerous modern industries, with growing importance in sustainable materials science, green chemistry, and next-generation biocomposites.
Cellulose fibers are fibers made with ethers or esters of cellulose, which can be obtained from the bark, wood or leaves of plants, or from other plant-based material.
In addition to cellulose, the fibers may also contain hemicellulose and lignin, with different percentages of these components altering the mechanical properties of the fibers.
The main applications of Cellulose fibers are in the textile industry, as chemical filters, and as fiber-reinforcement composites due to their similar properties to engineered fibers, being another option for biocomposites and polymer composites.
Cellulose fibre is the basic structural material of most plants, and can be obtained from various natural plant-based sources such as wood pulp, cotton, flax and hemp.
Cellulose fiber is a naturally derived, high-molecular-weight polysaccharide composed of repeating β-1,4-linked D-glucose units that assemble into tightly packed microfibrils, forming the structural backbone of plant cell walls.
These microfibrils are arranged in crystalline and amorphous domains stabilized by extensive hydrogen bonding, which gives Cellulose fiber its exceptional mechanical strength, thermal stability, and resistance to chemical degradation.
Industrial Cellulose fiber is typically produced from sustainably sourced wood pulp, cotton linters, or agricultural biomass through chemical, mechanical, or combined pulping processes that remove lignin, hemicellulose, and extractives, yielding a purified, white to off-white, odorless fibrous material that is insoluble in water but dispersible under shear.
Depending on grade, Cellulose fiber may be processed into various particle sizes, lengths, and morphologies, including powdered cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), and advanced nanocellulose structures.
These variations enable tailored rheological performance, water-binding capacity, bulking properties, and reinforcement characteristics across multiple applications.
In food systems, Cellulose fiber functions as a fat replacer, bulking agent, stabilizer, anti-caking agent, thickener, and moisture-retention aid, while also serving as an insoluble dietary fiber source.
In pharmaceuticals, Cellulose fiber enhances tablet hardness, flow behavior, compressibility, and controlled-release profiles.
In cosmetics and personal care products, Cellulose fiber improves sensory texture, reduces greasiness, stabilizes emulsions, and provides biodegradable structuring without contributing to microplastic pollution.
Cellulose fiber also holds significant industrial value as a lightweight, renewable reinforcement material in polymer composites, adhesives, coatings, paper production, filtration media, insulation, and construction materials.
Cellulose fiber's low density, biodegradability, high modulus, and surface chemistry make it an attractive alternative to synthetic fibers in sustainable materials engineering.
Overall, Cellulose fiber combines renewability, functional versatility, non-toxicity, and strong consumer acceptance, making it a critical biomaterial across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications.
Types of Cellulose Fiber:
Natural Cellulose fibers:
Natural Cellulose fibers are still recognizable as being from a part of the original plant because they are only processed as much as needed to clean the fibers for use.
For example, cotton fibers look like the soft fluffy cotton balls that they come from.
Linen fibers look like the strong fibrous strands of the flax plant.
All "natural" fibers go through a process where they are separated from the parts of the plant that are not used for the end product, usually through harvesting, separating from chaff, scouring, etc.
The presence of linear chains of thousands of glucose units linked together allows a great deal of hydrogen bonding between OH groups on adjacent chains, causing them to pack closely into Cellulose fibers.
As a result, cellulose exhibits little interaction with water or any other solvent.
Cotton and wood, for example, are completely insoluble in water and have considerable mechanical strength.
Since cellulose does not have a helical structure like amylose, Cellulose fiber does not bind to iodine to form a colored product.
Manufactured Cellulose fibers:
Manufactured Cellulose fibers come from plants that are processed into a pulp and then extruded in the same ways that synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon are made.
Rayon or viscose is one of the most common "manufactured" Cellulose fibers, and it can be made from wood pulp.
Fibers may also be produced from Laminaria hyperborea nozzle-pressurized gyration and wet spinning, along with resonant acoustic mixing.
Comparison with other fibers:
In comparison with engineered fibers, Cellulose fibers have important advantages as low density, low cost, they can be recyclable, and are biodegradable.
Due to its advantages Cellulose fibers can be used as a substituent for glass fibers in composites materials.
Market Overview of Cellulose Fiber:
The global Cellulose fiber market was valued at approximately USD 37.92 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach around USD 55.98 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of about 4.6% during 2025-2032.
Growth is being driven by increasing demand for sustainable, biodegradable fibers in textiles, hygiene, industrial and composite applications, especially in the Asia-Pacific region which held about 42.3% market share in 2024.
Other studies estimate higher growth: for example, a 2023 estimate valued the market at USD 40.22 billion with a projection of USD 62.92 billion by 2030 (CAGR ~6.1%) due to rising environmental concerns, technological advances, and favourable policy support.
Key drivers include the shift from synthetic fibers to natural/renewable fibers, consumer demand for eco-friendly textiles and products, increased regulation on sustainability, and technological improvements in processing Cellulose fiber.
Conversely, challenges include raw material volatility (e.g., wood pulp availability and cost), logistics and supply-chain constraints, and competition from synthetic fibers and alternative biomaterials.
Regionally, Asia-Pacific leads, supported by large textile, apparel and hygiene industries, while North America and Europe hold significant markets driven by premium sustainable materials demand.
Uses of Cellulose Fiber:
Cellulose fiber is used extensively across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, industrial, and materials-science sectors due to its structural strength, water-binding capability, biodegradability, and versatility.
In the food industry, Cellulose fiber functions as a bulking agent, fat replacer, texture modifier, stabilizer, anti-caking agent, and insoluble dietary fiber source, improving mouthfeel, reducing caloric density, and enhancing moisture retention in baked goods, processed meats, snacks, dairy analogues, and low-fat formulations.
In pharmaceuticals, Cellulose fiber is widely used as a binder, disintegrant, flow improver, and controlled-release matrix in tablets and capsules, contributing to mechanical strength and predictable drug-release profiles.
In cosmetics and personal care, Cellulose fiber enhances viscosity, stabilizes emulsions, improves sensory feel, reduces greasiness, and serves as a biodegradable alternative to microplastics in scrubs, creams, lotions, and powders.
Industrially, Cellulose fiber is an important reinforcement material for plastics, biocomposites, construction materials, filtration media, paper and packaging, improving tensile strength, dimensional stability, and sustainability performance.
Cellulose fiber's high purity and consistent microstructure also make it suitable for textiles, insulation products, coatings, adhesives, and specialty composites.
Because Cellulose fiber is renewable, compostable, chemically stable, and mechanically robust, it is increasingly used in eco-friendly product design, advanced materials engineering, and next-generation sustainable manufacturing.
Applications of Cellulose Fiber:
Cellulose fibres are used to make many different products that include paper, textiles, and cardboard.
The cellulose that makes up these fibres (or a modified version) is also used in the food industry as anti-caking agents, emulsifiers, formulation aids, stabilizers, thickeners and texturizers, and also in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries where it performs similar roles.
Composite materials:
Composite materials are a class of material most often made by the combination of a fiber with a binder material (matrix).
This combination mixes the properties of the fiber with the matrix to create a new material that may be stronger than the fiber alone.
When combined with polymers, Cellulose fibers are used to create some fiber-reinforced materials such as biocomposites and fiber-reinforced plastics.
The table displays different polymer matrices and the Cellulose fibers they are often mixed with.
Since macroscopic characteristics of fibers influence the behavior of the resulting composite, the following physical and mechanical properties are of particular interest:
Dimensions:
The relationship between the length and diameter of the fibers is a determining factor in the transfer of efforts to the matrix.
Additionally, the irregular cross-section and fibrillated appearance of plant fibers helps anchor them within a fragile matrix.
Void volume and water absorption:
Fibers are fairly porous with a large volume of internal voids.
As a result, when the fibers are immersed in the binding material, they absorb a large amount of matrix.
High absorption can cause fiber shrinkage and matrix swelling.
However, a high void volume contributes to reduced weight, increased acoustic absorption, and low thermal conductivity of the final composite material.
Tensile strength:
Similar, on average, to the polypropylene's fibers.
Elastic modulus:
Cellulosic fibers have a low modulus of elasticity.
This determines Cellulose fiber's use in building components working in post-cracked stage, with high energy absorption and resistance to dynamic forces.
Textile:
In the textile industry regenerated cellulose is used as fibers such as rayon, (including modal, and the more recently developed Lyocell).
Cellulose fibers are manufactured from dissolving pulp.
Cellulose-based fibers are of two types, regenerated or pure cellulose such as from the cupro-ammonium process and modified cellulose such as the cellulose acetates.
The first artificial fiber, commercially promoted as artificial silk, became known as viscose around 1894, and finally rayon in 1924.
A similar product known as cellulose acetate was discovered in 1865.
Rayon and acetate are both artificial fibers, but not fully synthetic, being a product of a chemically digested feedstock comprising natural wood.
They are also not an artificial construction of silk, which is a fibrous polymer of animal proteins.
Although these artificial fibers were discovered in the mid-nineteenth century, successful modern manufacture began much later.
Filtration:
The Cellulose fibers infiltration/filter aid applications can provide a protective layer to filter elements as powdered cellulose, besides promoting improved throughput and clarity.
As ashless and non-abrasive filtration, make cleanup effortless after the filtering process without damage in pumps or valves.
They effectively filter metallic impurities and absorb up to 100% of emulsified oil and boiler condensates.
In general, Cellulose fibers in filtration applications can greatly improve filtration performance when used as a primary or remedial precoat in the following ways:
Bridging gaps in the filter septum and small mechanical leaks in the gaskets and leaf seats
Improving the stability of the filter-aid cake to make it more resistant to pressure bumps and interruptions
Creating a more uniform precoat with no cracks for more effective filtration surface area
Improving cake release and reducing cleaning requirements
Preventing fine particulate bleed-through
Precoating easily and rapidly and reducing soluble contamination
Benefits of Cellulose Fiber:
Cellulose fiber offers a wide range of benefits due to its natural origin, structural strength, biodegradability, and functional versatility across multiple industries.
As a renewable, plant-derived polymer, Cellulose fiber provides an environmentally sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers, contributing to reduced carbon footprint, improved recyclability, and full biodegradability.
Functionally, Cellulose fiber delivers excellent water-binding capacity, texturizing ability, bulking properties, and mechanical reinforcement, making it valuable in food formulations where it improves mouthfeel, reduces caloric density, stabilizes structure, enhances moisture retention, and acts as an effective fat replacer.
Cellulose fiber's chemical inertness and compatibility with a broad range of ingredients also make it safe and suitable for continuous use in pharmaceuticals, where it improves tablet hardness, flowability, compressibility, and controlled-release behavior without interfering with active ingredients.
In cosmetics and personal care, Cellulose fiber enhances sensory feel, reduces greasiness, stabilizes emulsions, increases viscosity, and replaces synthetic microbeads with a biodegradable option that supports clean-beauty formulations.
Industrially, Cellulose fiber provides significant reinforcement benefits due to its high tensile strength and low density, improving durability, stiffness, thermal stability, and dimensional accuracy in composites, coatings, plastics, filtration systems, and construction materials.
Because Cellulose fiber is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and compliant with global regulatory standards, Cellulose fiber is widely accepted in sensitive applications such as food contact materials, medical products, and eco-friendly packaging.
Overall, Cellulose fiber combines environmental sustainability, mechanical performance, and multifunctional formulation benefits, making it an essential biomaterial in modern food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial technologies.
Structure of Cellulose Fiber:
Cellulose structure:
Cellulose is a polymer made of repeating glucose molecules attached end to end.
A cellulose molecule may be from several hundred to over 10,000 glucose units long.
Cellulose is similar in form to complex carbohydrates like starch and glycogen.
These polysaccharides are also made from multiple subunits of glucose.
The difference between cellulose and other complex carbohydrate molecules is how the glucose molecules are linked together.
In addition, cellulose is a straight chain polymer, and each cellulose molecule is long and rod-like.
This differs from starch, which is a coiled molecule.
A result of these differences in structure is that, compared to starch and other carbohydrates, cellulose cannot be broken down into its glucose subunits by any enzymes produced by animals.
Structure and properties:
Natural fibers are composed by microfibrils of cellulose in a matrix of hemicellulose and lignin.
This type of structure and the chemical composition of them is responsible for the mechanical properties that can be observed.
Because the natural fibers make hydrogen bonds between the long chains, they have the necessary stiffness and strength.
Chemical composition:
The major constituents of natural fibers (lignocelluloses) are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin and ash.
The percentage of each component varies for each different type of fiber, however, generally, are around 60-80% cellulose, 5–20% lignin, and 20% of moisture, besides hemicellulose and a small percent of residual chemical components.
The properties of the fiber change depending on the amount of each component, since the hemicellulose is responsible for the moisture absorption, bio- and thermal degradation whereas lignin ensures thermal stability but is responsible for the UV degradation.
The chemical composition of common natural fibers are shown below;[6] these vary depending on whether the fiber is a bast fiber (obtained from the bark), a core fiber (obtained from the wood), or a leaf fiber (obtained from the leaves).
Mechanical properties:
Cellulose fiber response to mechanical stresses change depending on fiber type and chemical structure present.
Information about main mechanical properties are shown in the chart below and can be compared to properties of commonly used fibers such glass fiber, aramid fiber, and carbon fiber.
Surface and interfacial properties:
Hydrophilicity, roughness and surface charge determine the interaction of Cellulose fibers with an aqueous environment.
Already in 1950, the charge at the interface between cotton as the predominant Cellulose fiber and an aqueous surrounding was investigated by the streaming potential method to assess the surface zeta potential.
Due to the high swelling propensity of lignocellulosic fibers, a correlation between the zeta potential and the water uptake capability has been observed.
Even for the use of waste fibers as a reinforcement in composite materials, sized fibers have been probed by an aqueous test solution.
A review on the electrokinetic properties of natural fibers including cellulose and lignocellulosic fibers is found in the Handbook of Natural Fibers.
Production of Cellulose Fiber:
Cellulose fiber is produced through a multi-stage process that begins with the selection of lignocellulosic raw materials—typically wood pulp, cotton linters, agricultural residues, or plant biomass—which are rich in cellulose.
The raw material is first subjected to mechanical and chemical pulping, where lignin, hemicellulose, and extractives are removed using alkaline (kraft), sulfite, or organosolv processes, leaving behind a purified cellulose pulp.
This pulp is then extensively washed, screened, and bleached (often using elemental-chlorine-free or totally-chlorine-free methods) to achieve high brightness and fiber purity.
Depending on the desired Cellulose fiber type, the pulp undergoes refining, milling, homogenization, or enzymatic treatment to control fiber length, crystallinity, particle size, and surface characteristics.
For powdered cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), the pulp is partially hydrolyzed using mineral acids to remove amorphous regions, followed by neutralization, filtration, drying, and controlled milling.
For advanced fibers such as microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) or nanocellulose, the cellulose pulp is subjected to high-pressure homogenization, mechanical fibrillation, or TEMPO-mediated oxidation to break down the microfibrils into nanoscale structures with extremely high surface area and rheological functionality.
After processing, the material is dried via spray drying, freeze-drying, drum drying, or left as an aqueous gel depending on final application requirements.
Throughout production, parameters such as fiber length, degree of polymerization, crystallinity index, and moisture content are closely monitored to ensure consistent performance in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications.
The result is a high-purity, biodegradable Cellulose fiber tailored for structural reinforcement, texturization, filtration, binding, or rheology modification across a wide range of technologies.
Synthesis of Cellulose Fiber:
Cellulose fiber is not chemically manufactured but is biosynthesized naturally in plants through a highly coordinated enzymatic process that converts photosynthetically produced glucose into long, linear β-1,4-glucan chains.
The synthesis begins in the chloroplasts, where carbon dioxide is fixed into glucose during photosynthesis.
This glucose is then transported to the Golgi and plasma membrane regions of plant cells, where Cellulose fiber is activated into UDP-glucose, the direct substrate for cellulose production.
At the plasma membrane, large multi-enzyme complexes known as cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs)—consisting of multiple cellulose synthase (CesA) proteins—polymerize UDP-glucose molecules into β-1,4-linked glucan chains that immediately crystallize into microfibrils.
These microfibrils are extruded outward and assemble into hierarchical structures, forming the highly ordered, partially crystalline cellulose framework characteristic of plant cell walls.
The orientation and assembly of cellulose microfibrils are guided by the cytoskeleton, particularly cortical microtubules, which influence mechanical strength, rigidity, and tissue structure.
The resulting cellulose integrates with hemicellulose, pectins, and lignin to form the composite matrix of primary and secondary cell walls.
In industrial applications, Cellulose fiber is extracted from this natural matrix by removing non-cellulosic components through pulping and purification processes.
Thus, Cellulose fiber originates from a biological polymerization and crystallization system unique to plants, producing one of the strongest and most abundant biopolymers on Earth.
History of Cellulose Fiber:
Cellulose was discovered in 1838 by the French chemist Anselme Payen, who isolated it from plant matter and determined its chemical formula.
Cellulose was used to produce the first successful thermoplastic polymer, celluloid, by Hyatt Manufacturing Company in 1870.
Production of rayon ("artificial silk") from cellulose began in the 1890s, and cellophane was invented in 1912.
In 1893, Arthur D. Little of Boston, invented yet another cellulosic product, acetate, and developed it as a film.
The first commercial textile uses for acetate in fiber form were developed by the Celanese Company in 1924.
Hermann Staudinger determined the polymer structure of cellulose in 1920.
Cellulose fiber was first chemically synthesized (without the use of any biologically derived enzymes) in 1992, by Kobayashi and Shoda.
The history of Cellulose fiber is deeply intertwined with the development of human civilization, industrial manufacturing, and modern materials science, as cellulose has long been recognized as the primary structural component of plant-based materials such as wood, cotton, flax, and hemp.
Although cellulose itself was first identified and named in 1838 by the French chemist Anselme Payen, who isolated it from plant tissue and described its chemical composition, humans had been using cellulose-rich fibers for thousands of years in textiles, papermaking, and construction.
Payen’s discovery initiated scientific interest in plant polysaccharides, leading to the development of early commercial cellulose derivatives in the late 19th century, including celluloid, rayon, and cellophane, which became some of the first synthetic fibers and plastics.
During the 20th century, the evolution of pulping technology, bleaching methods, and fiber refinement allowed manufacturers to efficiently separate cellulose from lignin and hemicellulose, producing high-purity fibers for paper, textiles, food additives, and pharmaceuticals.
As advances in polymer science progressed, Cellulose fiber gained significance as a renewable, biodegradable alternative to petroleum-derived materials, particularly with the rise of environmental awareness in the 1970s and 1980s.
The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw the emergence of advanced forms of cellulose such as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), and nanocellulose, which opened new opportunities in pharmaceuticals, nanocomposites, rheology modification, and sustainable packaging.
Today, Cellulose fiber stands as one of the most widely used and environmentally promising biomaterials, valued for its historical relevance, structural performance, and alignment with global sustainability trends.
Stability and Reactivity of Cellulose Fiber:
Chemical Stability:
Stable under normal handling and storage conditions.
Reactivity:
Low reactivity; chemically inert biopolymer.
Incompatible Materials:
Strong oxidizers, concentrated acids, strong bases.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Not expected to occur.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
CO, CO₂, carbonaceous particulates when burned.
Conditions to Avoid:
Open flames, high heat, ignition sources (dust can combust).
Handling and Storage of Cellulose Fiber:
Handling:
Avoid creating dust; use ventilation; prevent inhalation and eye contact.
Storage:
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Temperature Sensitivity:
Stable at ambient conditions; avoid high humidity.
Special Notes:
Keep away from oxidizing agents and ignition sources.
First Aid Measures of Cellulose Fiber:
Inhalation:
Move to fresh air; rinse mouth; seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water; cellulose is non-irritant but mechanical irritation possible.
Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contacts; seek help if irritation continues.
Ingestion:
Non-toxic; rinse mouth; seek medical advice if discomfort occurs.
Firefighting Measures of Cellulose Fiber:
Suitable Extinguishing Media:
Water spray, foam, dry chemical, CO₂
Specific Hazards:
Finely dispersed cellulose dust may form combustible dust-air mixtures.
Protective Equipment:
Firefighters should use SCBA and full protective gear.
Fire Behavior:
Decomposes to CO/CO₂ at high temperatures; may smolder.
Accidental Release Measures of Cellulose Fiber:
Personal Precautions:
Avoid dust generation; use mask, goggles, gloves.
Environmental Precautions:
Not harmful but prevent airborne dispersal and excessive discharge.
Cleanup Methods:
Sweep or vacuum using HEPA filter; avoid compressed air; collect in sealed containers.
Exposure Controls / Personal Protective Equipment of Cellulose Fiber:
Engineering Controls:
Use local exhaust ventilation to minimize dust.
Eye Protection:
Safety goggles.
Skin Protection:
Gloves (optional; primarily for hygiene).
Respiratory Protection:
Dust mask or P2/P3 respirator when high airborne dust is present.
General Hygiene Measures:
Wash hands after handling; avoid eating or drinking in work area.
Identifiers of Cellulose Fiber:
Product Name: Cellulose fiber
Chemical Name: Poly(β-1,4-D-glucopyranose)
IUPAC Name: (1→4)-β-D-glucan
Chemical Family: Polysaccharide biopolymer
CAS Number: 9004-34-6
EC Number: 232-674-9
Molecular Formula: (C₆H₁₀O₅)n
Molecular Weight: Variable polymer; repeat unit 162.14 g/mol
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous
HS Code: 3912.90 (cellulose and derivatives) / 4702.00 (pulp) / 1302.20 (powdered cellulose)
Origin: Derived from wood pulp, cotton linters, agricultural biomass
Appearance Identifier: White to off-white, odorless fibrous powder or particulate material
Odor: Neutral, characteristic of purified cellulose
Functional Class: Thickener, filler, bulking agent, binder, stabilizer, rheology modifier, reinforcement fiber
Purity: Typically > 90–98% cellulose depending on grade
Solubility Identifier: Insoluble in water; dispersible under shear; swells depending on type
Industrial Identity: Renewable, biodegradable plant-derived fiber; primary component of lignocellulosic biomass
Synonym(s): Cellulose powder, Cotton linters
CAS Number: 9004-34-6
EC Number: 232-674-9
MDL number: MFCD00081512
NACRES: NA.56
Properties of Cellulose Fiber:
Appearance: White to off-white, odorless fibrous powder or particulate solid
Color: White to slightly cream
Odor: Neutral, odorless
Physical State: Solid fiber (powder, short fiber, or microfibrils depending on grade)
Molecular Formula: (C₆H₁₀O₅)n
Molecular Weight: Variable polymer (repeat unit 162.14 g/mol)
pH (Slurry): Typically 5.0–7.5 depending on source and processing
Bulk Density: 0.25–0.60 g/cm³ (grade dependent)
Solubility: Insoluble in water; swells or disperses under shear
Water Absorption: High; strong water-binding capacity
Oil Absorption: Moderate to high depending on fiber surface area
Crystallinity: 40–70% crystalline (cellulose I) depending on source
Thermal Stability: Decomposes above ~260–280 °C
Melting Point: No true melting; decomposes before melting
Hygroscopicity: Slightly to moderately hygroscopic
Fibers Length: 20–3000 µm depending on grade
Particle Size: 10–500 µm (powdered); nanoscale for nanocellulose
Mechanical Strength: High tensile strength; high modulus
Density: ~1.50–1.55 g/cm³ (true density of cellulose)
Electrical Properties: Non-conductive; dielectric material
Charge Type: Non-ionic biopolymer
Compatibility: Excellent compatibility with water-based systems and many polymers
Biodegradability: Fully biodegradable and compostable
Chemical Stability: Resistant to dilute acids, alkalis, and most solvents
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids, strong alkalis, oxidizers
Specifications of Cellulose Fiber:
Purity (Cellulose Content): ≥ 90–98% (grade dependent)
Moisture Content: ≤ 5–8% (typical)
Ash Content: ≤ 0.3–0.5%
pH (Slurry): 5.0–7.5
Appearance: White to off-white fibrous powder
Odor: Odorless, neutral
Bulk Density: 0.25–0.60 g/cm³ (depends on fiber length & milling)
True Density: ~1.50–1.55 g/cm³
Fiber Length: 20–3000 µm (food & industrial grades)
Particle Size: 10–500 µm (powdered cellulose); nanometers for nanocellulose
Water Absorption Capacity: High (3–10× its weight depending on grade)
Oil Absorption Capacity: Moderate to high
Loss on Drying: ≤ 5%
Residue on Ignition: ≤ 0.5%
Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As): ≤ 5–10 ppm (food/pharma grade)
Microbial Quality: Meets food-grade or pharmaceutical-grade limits (low bioburden)
