Akzo Nobel N.v.

J Urgen Seifert

Manfred J Bergfeld

Level-off DP cellulose, which can be disaggregated in aqueous suspension with the application of mechanical force to give microcrystalline cellulose, is prepared by an environmentally friendly partial hydrolysis of cellulose in such a manner that the cellulose is subjected to partial hydrolysis in a pressurized reactor using water under a gas pressure of 0.1 to 60 bar of oxygen and/or carbon dioxide, measured at 20.degree. C., at a temperature of 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. until the levelling-off DP has been reached. The partial hydrolysis is preferably carried out under a gas pressure of 0.5 to 30 bar, measured at 20.degree. C., and in a temperature range from 140.degree. to 180.degree. C.

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Grosswallstadt, Germany

J Urgen Seifert