Refers to the short fibers that remain on the cottonseed after the longer fibers (lint) have been removed during the ginning process. Linters are removed in one or two cuts.

Types of Linters:
1. First-cut linters:
Longer and higher-quality fibers.
Sometimes used in lower-grade textiles, absorbents, or for further processing
into cellulose.
2. Second-cut linters:
Very short fibers, closer to the seed hull.
Typically used in industrial applications like:
Nitrocellulose
Cellulose ethers and esters
Paper and pulp products
Pharmaceuticals (after purification)
Plastic and film production

Key Properties:
Property: Range / Note
Fiber Length: 2-6 mm (short compared to lint cotton)
Cellulose Content: 80-95% (can be refined to >98%)
Ash Content: Varies; must be minimized for specialty use
Moisture: Typically 7-10%
Color: Off-white to yellowish (improves with bleaching)

Common Uses of Cottonseed Linters:

Industry: Use Case
Explosives: Nitrocellulose production (gun cotton)
Pharmaceuticals: Cellulose for tablets, stabilizers
Plastics: Film base (e.g., photographic film)
Textiles: Absorbent cotton, paper, wipes
Chemical: Viscose, rayon, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)