Cellulose
Acetate
an every day
biobased material
with a century
of history
Solvay Acetow creating the future
of Cellulose Acetate
Cellulose Acetate has been at the cutting edge of innovation
for over 100 years. It’s been part of aviation, cinema, synthetic
fibres, plastics and many more fields. Today, its major
application is in cigarette filters. As a world leader in this field,
Solvay Acetow is developing the innovative applications
and processes that will define Cellulose Acetate in the future.
That future is based on a sustainable raw material that is
environmentally friendly from certified forestry, through
production and biodegradable disposal.
Made from wood pulp
Biodegradable Renewable raw material
Reforestation after harvest
Processing
cellulose acetate
in different ways
produces different
characteristics
Cellulose Diacetate (CDA)
cigarette filters as used today
were first introduced in the
1950s. Cellulose acetate, in
the form of CDA filter tow, has a
number of properties that have
made it the product of choice
for 97% of cigarette filters. For
the manufacturer, CDA filter
tow is practical, fast to process
and stable to store. Customized
Silky spun fibre
Producing silky, comfortable
textiles that drape well and mix
easily with other materials
Tough, colour fast plastic
Ideal for decorative objects and
items such as glasses
Cut and tear film
Used everyday as adhesive tape
designs can be easily created,
while retaining absolute
consistency and accurate
control of the flow of smoke.
For consumers, the filter is
tasteless, odourless and will
keep its shape. It also removes
certain smoke components
to create a preferred taste
signature.
Pure, effective filtration
For medical uses, water and
beverages, cigarettes
1945
1912
1965
1958
2012
1988
1970
1992
100 years
of success
for cellulose
acetate
Starting as a lacquer for planes in WWI,
Cellulose Acetate reflects a century of
change. It was a part of the development
of new synthetic textiles and one of the
first biobased plastics. It continues to
be used for everything from high quality
playing cards to adhesive tape. It also
has new high-tech filter applications.
Although today 70% of annual cellulose
acetate production is used for cigarette
filters, all in all more than 1 000 kilo
tons goes into all applications, including
cigarettes.
Cellulose acetate the sustainable choice
The basic material for cellulose acetate, plant
cellulose, is the most readily available renewable
material on the planet. Solvay Acetow ensures
that its production processes, from plant to
finished product, are as environmentally friendly
and as sustainable as possible.
The wood pulp raw material is sourced exclusively
from renewable and carefully managed forestry
plantations, where there is systematic replanting
after harvesting.
Solvay Acetow
Postfach 100444, D-79123 Freiburg
Engesserstrasse 8, D-79108 Freiburg
www.solvay.com
© Solvay, Getty Images, Fotolia, Shutterstock • 20130103
The manufacturing process itself is designed to
minimise the use of chemicals and water at every
stage, recovering and reusing them wherever
possible and keeping quantities of chemicals to
the lowest possible levels. And, at the end of its
life the finished product, cellulose acetate is
biodegradable.