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What is

Cellulose Acetate?

Cellulose acetate belongs to the man-made cellulosics, like e.g. viscose. It is made from the natural biopolymer Cellulose by modification with acetic acid, the main component of vinegar.

It is a versatile material that can be used to produce products used in our daily life: consumer products, eyewear, textiles, cosmetics, filtration etc. 

Cellulose acetate is biodegradable in a large variety of environments.

Cellulose Acetate has unique properties 
for various technical applications

Cellulose Acetate specific properties

 

  • Provides a unique “natural” feel.

  • Cellulose Acetate is compatible with a number of biobased, biodegradable and non-toxic plasticizers if needed for an application.

  • Allows selective filtration of certain toxic substances like phenols.

  • Can be processed with (eco)toxicologically harmless solvents, low temperatures in solvent processes allow temperature sensitive additives.

  • Softens at significantly higher temperature than other man made biobased and biodegradable polymers.

  • Excellent transparency, films easy to cut, breathability to moisture vapor.

Sustainable Manufacturing of Cellulose Acetate

It all starts with wood from sustainably managed forests.

Starting material is wood pulp of high purity (> 96 % α-cellulose).

Grown from trees in sustainably managed forests (PEFC and FSC) and not genetically modified.

The wood pulp used is manufactured from hard or soft wood of different origin.

As all-natural raw material from nature, pulp is not a uniform, exactly reproducible product.

Some variations in fiber length, fiber wall thickness and crystallinity of cellulose.

Required purity of pulp for various applications:

  • Cellulose Acetate: > 96%

  • Viscose: 89 - 93%

  • Paper: 70 - 90 %

“Cellulose Acetate starts in 

and returns to Nature”

The Cellulose Acetate Life Cycle

Wood pulp as a basic raw material is obtained from sustainably managed forests.

In a sustainable production process, it is converted into cellulose acetate.

After usage, the final product biologically degrades, nourishing plants and trees again.

Cellulose Acetate is sustainable and versatile

Biodegradable under various environmental conditions.

Made from naturally-based raw materials manufactured in an eco-friendly process.

Versatile for many different applications

Cellulose Acetate can be processed thermoplastically and can be used in the form of fibres, films and powders. 

Its compatibility with many environmentally friendly plasticisers opens up many other possible applications.

Cellulose Acetate is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastics

The Versatility of Cellulose Acetate

 

Biodegradability of Cellulose Acetate

  • Cellulose diacetate, the most common form of cellulose acetate, is proven biodegradable in natural environments and waste management systems.

  • Biodegradation takes place at reasonable rates, even compared to purely natural materials, enabling corresponding certificates and an exemption from the Microplastic Restriction.

Cellulose Acetate

  • Is based on renewable raw materials

  • Bio-based materials can replace and save fossil raw materials

  • Is produced using efficient and sustainable processes

  • Can be biodegraded and its degradation products are classified as not eco toxic