Redefining cotton linter:
From forgotten fiber to future power
Article by Xue Song (Global Supply Department)
Since ancient times, clothing, food, shelter, and transportation have been regarded as the four fundamental pillars of life in China. Among them, “clothing” has always taken the lead. As a vital raw material for textiles, cotton was introduced into China during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties and quickly became an essential part of daily life. Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, even enforced cotton cultivation nationwide, officially placing cotton as a significant agricultural crop in Chinese history.
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Initially, people grew cotton mainly to stuff it into clothing and bedding for warmth and insulation. As the textile and garment industries thrived, large quantities of cotton were harvested and spun into fabric. Over time, the hardworking and ingenious Chinese people discovered that cotton seeds, rich in plant oil and protein, made excellent feed and fertilizer for the agriculture and livestock sectors. However, a pressing problem remained: the residual fibers clinging to the cotton seeds—known as cotton linters—were too short to be spun into yarn and thus deemed useless. Though biologically identical to cotton fibers, linters were difficult to process and carried low added value. As a result, apart from the seeds preserved for future planting, most were burned along with cotton stalks—wasting resources and harming the environment.
In the 1980s, China began advocating for resource conservation and sustainable development. At that time, our company had just been founded, and we aspired to become a leader in the global natural cellulose industry. After thoughtful consideration, President Li set his sights on these overlooked cotton linters. If they shared the same origin as cotton, surely they held untapped potential. Unlocking their value would not only turn waste into treasure but also drive innovation in cottonseed processing.
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Once the direction was set, President Li led Silver Hawk’s first R&D team, working tirelessly day and night to improve the technology that efficiently separates these fibers from the seeds. And so, the world’s largest cotton linter pulp production base was born, using cotton linters as its main raw material.​
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Cotton linters are a completely natural plant fiber. Our company, using linters as the core material, abandoned the traditional high-pollution, high-profit production model in favor of a primarily physical extraction method. This process yields plant fiber products with high purity, high degree of polymerization, and high viscosity—earning us the nickname “MSG of Industry” within the sector. Adhering to a philosophy of safety, environmental protection, and people-oriented management, we have grown over the years into a leading enterprise in cellulose purification in China.
We succeeded. What was once considered agricultural waste has now secured its place in the modern economic market. Its value has been redefined again and again—evolving from something burned or buried to a low-cost byproduct and now to a cornerstone of large-scale production. With continuous technological innovation and development, we’ve expanded the use of cotton linters far beyond their original purpose in textiles. Today, they are found in lithium-ion batteries, LCD displays, military applications, high-end additives, and more. In recent years, demand has reached record highs.
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With our own hard work, we have shown the world how to turn decay into wonder. “The road ahead is long and full of challenges, but I will search high and low.” Green Silver Hawk. Smart Silver Hawk. Together, let us forge ahead and reach new heights.
Updated: April 25th, 2025
