Method for producing pulp fibers for cellulose nanofiberization, and pulp fibers for cellulose nanofiberization

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method which is for producing pulp fibers for cellulose nanofiberization from pulp fibers of used sanitary products, and which can produce pulp fibers for cellulose nanofiberization that have low lignin content and a low distribution thereof and that have excellent cellulose nanofiberization properties. This method is described below. The method is characterized by involving: a step for supplying, from a mixed solution supply port () to a treatment tank (), a mixed solution () which contains superabsorbent polymers and pulp fibers derived from used sanitary products; a step for supplying an ozone-containing gas () from an ozone-containing gas supply port () to a treatment solution () inside of the treatment tank (); a step in which, by raising the ozone-containing gas () while lowering the superabsorbent polymers and pulp fibers in the treatment tank (), the ozone-containing gas () is brought into contact with the superabsorbent polymers and the pulp fibers, and pulp fibers for cellulose nanofiberization are formed from the pulp fibers; and a step for discharging the treatment solution () from a treatment solution discharge port (), wherein the pulp fibers for cellulose nanofiberization have a lignin content of less than or equal to 0.1 mass %.