Definition
Linters are very short seed fibers of the cotton plant (Gossypium spp.) that remain attached to the seed after the first ginning operation and are recovered in a second processing step known as delinting. They are generally less than 10 mm in length, have a rough surface, and are unsuitable for conventional yarn production due to their short length and poor spinnability. Linters thus differ fundamentally from the long, spinnable fiber grades (lint) of cotton, which are obtained directly during the first ginning.
Use in the textile industry
Linters are rarely used as a textile fiber in the textile industry. However, they are an important raw material for the production of viscose, cellulose acetate, and other regenerated cellulose fibers, owing to their high cellulose content. In addition, linters are used in nonwoven production and as filling material. In the chemical industry, they serve as a starting material for cellulose ethers and esters, which are utilized in coatings, food additives, and pharmaceutical applications.
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