Our Process

After years of development and refinement, we've mastered the process of making the finest acetate available. First, purified cellulose derived from wood pulp is reacted with acetic anhydride. Using innovative technology, the cellulose and acetic anhydride are dispensed in controlled quantities into an acetylizer, the main reaction vessel. The resulting product is cellulose acetate flake. After washing and drying the flake, it's then dissolved in acetone to form a cellulose acetate solution called "dope." The solution is extruded through tiny holes in metal spinnerets. Coming out of the spinnerets, some of the acetone is evaporated and long, thin fibers are formed. These acetate fibers move through heated cabinets to dry. Once drying is complete, the product is wound onto bobbins or shippable packages. Some of our products are further processed to produce "beams" or "warps." Our final packaged products are sold to customers in the form of beam sets or cases of yarn.

Click on a link below to view a process diagram:

Wood Pulp Process Diagram

Cellulose Acetate Flake Process Diagram

Acetate Filament Process Diagram

Celanese Acetate
A Business of Celanese Corporation