Dissolving Pulp Market: An Innovative Procedure for Manufacturing Paper and Rayon

Manufacturers are increasingly adopting materials that are sustainable and offer high performance. Dissolving pulp is an important industrial raw material used across various industries. Derived from natural wood fibers, it acts as the backbone of several bio-based products.

Want to know how dissolving pulp has become a cornerstone of the global bioeconomy? Continue reading as we explain to you everything you need to know about this high-purity cellulose form, from its production to the key drivers of the dissolving pulp market. Let’s dive in!

Dissolving Pulp: Overview

Dissolving pulp is a cellulose commodity that is utilized in the making of varied products involving paper, rayon, and cellophane. The majority of dissolving pulps are assembled from softwoods, which are woods from conifer trees. In the dissolving pulp market, softwood pulps are notable for their elongated fibers. These fibers are especially beneficial for making commodities such as rayon, which is a fiber from the synthetic fiber market that can be converted into fabric for clothing and linens. Some dissolving pulp is made from hardwoods, and a growing amount is made from nonwood plant fibers.

What Are Major Market Metrics?

The global dissolving pulp market is poised to witness sustained growth in the coming years. The market is expected to reach USD 7452.97 million by 2032. It is expected to account for a CAGR of 3.3% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2032.

How  Is Dissolving Pulp Produced?

Dissolving pulp is largely manufactured chemically from wood pulp in a procedure that has less ablation of the wood. This accounts for 85-88% of the total production. Pulp dissolving can be carried out using either sulfite or pre-hydrolysis sulfate cooking. To obtain the elevated quality of dissolving pulp, it should emanate from speedily grown hardwoods with less noncellulose content. Both pre-hydrolysis sulfate and sulfite procedures cook the food in robust chemicals to convert wood chips into cellulose fibers. The converted sulfate procedure differs from the sulfite procedure in two ways. It utilizes an alkaline liquor rather than an acidic one, which safeguards the machinery from corrosion. Also, using sodium sulfide produces stronger fibers.

Where is Dissolving Pulp Used?

Dissolving pulp is used in the production of regenerated cellulose. In the final procedure, the cellulose is transformed into cellulose xanthate, which dissolves readily in a caustic soda solution. The viscous liquid can be extruded through spinnerettes and regenerated into artificial fibers. Cellulose can be dissolved in some organic solvents directly and processed to regenerate cellulose fibers in various forms. As dissolving pulp is extremely clarified, its high whiteness, combined with a few adulterants, makes it suitable for specialty paper applications such as filter paper and vulcanized fiber.

Dissolving pulp also finds applications in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) derived from dissolving pulp are used as excipients and stabilizers. The binding and bulking properties of MCC make it suitable for tablet formulations. CMC is used as a thickener in beverages and personal care products.

Another use of dissolving pulp is in the production of cellophane. Cellophane is a transparent and biodegradable film that has uses in the biodegrdable packaging market. The material is known for its ability to act as a barrier against oxygen and aroma. This makes it suitable for wrapping foods and consumer goods.

What’s Driving Market Forward?

The dissolving pulp market is experiencing significant growth owing to demand in the viscose, high-alpha, and specialty pulp markets. These types of pulp are the base raw materials for a variety of high-value products, including cigarette filter tow, cellulosic fibers for textiles, and nitrocellulose for coatings and films. The expansion of both the textile and cigarette markets, especially in Asia, has driven demand for dissolving pulp. Furthermore, several producers, mainly in China, are heavily investing in new production technologies and modern dissolving pulp plants to improve production efficiency, product quality, and supply capacity. These factors are driving growth in the market.

What Are Major Market Developments?

Bracell announced the launch of its dissolving pulp mill in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2023. The company stated that the project is known as Project Star and has an annual capacity of 1.5 million metric tons. Additionally, it includes the ability to produce up to 3 million tons of kraft pulp on an annual basis. It makes use of innovative technologies for sustainability.

In June 2021, Renewcell announced its partnership with Citec to design a plant in Sweden that will produce recycled textiles. The firm is very dedicated to industrial transformation towards a sustainable world through high-quality, recycled-textile materials, including dissolving pulp.

End Note

The global demand for dissolving pulp is expected to grow, so advances in contemporary end uses are required. In the dissolving pulp market, future studies on the disagreeable properties of pulp fibers, such as flammability, reduced elasticity, and increased difficulty of dismantling over time, could identify new areas for future advancements. The key market players are expected to focus on R&D and partnerships to gain a major share of the market in the coming years.