Production of high-quality dissolving pulp from eucalyptus via a prehydrolysis-free process for Lyocell fibers

Abstract This study developed a flexible pulping process as an alternative to conventional pre-hydrolysis for producing dissolving pulp. By implementing an optimized cooking profile, effective hemicellulose removal was achieved while maintaining a high pulp yield. Building on this optimized cooking, an integrated control strategy was established across the entire process chain – cooking, bleaching, and post-treatment – enabling precise regulation of pulp properties. The resulting pulp exhibited performance comparable to international benchmark products, with an overall enhanced process yield. The product demonstrated superior purity (higher R 10 and R 18 ), alongside a marginally lower whiteness and acceptably elevated metal ion content compared to an international benchmark sample. Furthermore, this pulp was successfully spun into cellulose fibers that meet the premium-grade standards for Lyocell, thereby validating the feasibility of the proposed pre-hydrolysis-free route for manufacturing Lyocell-grade pulp.