A method for producing a cellulose ether having a high viscosity while keeping the same degree of polymerization as that in the production of a shaped pulp without changing a raw material or production facility. More specifically, provided is a method for producing a cellulose ether including steps of: cutting or pulverizing pulp to obtain sheet-like, chip-like, or powdery cellulose pulp, wherein the pulp is formed in a form of roll whose surface layer on at least one of the circumferential side and the ends is removed, or in a form of bale whose surface layer on at least one side is removed; bringing the obtained cellulose pulp into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain alkali cellulose; reacting the alkali cellulose with an alkylating agent to obtain a reaction product mixture; and subjecting the reaction product mixture to purification to obtain the cellulose ether.

A method for producing a cellulose ether having a high viscosity while keeping the same degree of polymerization as that in the production of a shaped pulp without changing a raw material or production facility. More specifically, provided is a method for producing a cellulose ether including steps of: cutting or pulverizing pulp to obtain sheet-like, chip-like, or powdery cellulose pulp, wherein the pulp is formed in a form of roll whose surface layer on at least one of the circumferential side and the ends is removed, or in a form of bale whose surface layer on at least one side is removed; bringing the obtained cellulose pulp into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain alkali cellulose; reacting the alkali cellulose with an alkylating agent to obtain a reaction product mixture; and subjecting the reaction product mixture to purification to obtain the cellulose ether.

Pulps, cellulose ether products, and methods of making pulps are described.

A process for producing a crosslinked cellulose ether including the steps of (i) contacting at least one cellulose material with a mixture comprising (ia) at least one crosslinking agent and (ib) at least one alkalization reagent to form an activated cellulose material; and (ii) contacting the activated cellulose material of step (i) with at least one etherification reagent; wherein the at least one etherification reagent reacts with the activated cellulose material to form the crosslinked cellulose ether; and a crosslinked cellulose ether produced by the above process.

A process for producing a crosslinked cellulose ether including the steps of (i) contacting at least one cellulose material with a mixture comprising (ia) at least one crosslinking agent and (ib) at least one alkalization reagent to form an activated cellulose material; and (ii) contacting the activated cellulose material of step (i) with at least one etherification reagent; wherein the at least one etherification reagent reacts with the activated cellulose material to form the crosslinked cellulose ether; and a crosslinked cellulose ether produced by the above process.

Provided is a process for reducing the size of ethylcellulose polymer particles comprising (a) providing a slurry comprising (i) water (ii) said ethylcellulose particles, wherein said ethylcellulose polymer particles have D50 of 100 μm or less; (iii) surfactant comprising 1.2% or more anionic surfactants by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, with the proviso that if the amount of anionic surfactant is 2.5% or less by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, then said surfactant further comprises 5% or more stabilizers by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, wherein said stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of water-soluble polymers, water-soluble fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof. (b) grinding said slurry in an agitated media mill having a collection of media particles having a median particle size of 550 μm or smaller. Also provided is a dispersion made by such a process.

Provided is a process for reducing the size of ethylcellulose polymer particles comprising (a) providing a slurry comprising (i) water (ii) said ethylcellulose particles, wherein said ethylcellulose polymer particles have D50 of 100 μm or less; (iii) surfactant comprising 1.2% or more anionic surfactants by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, with the proviso that if the amount of anionic surfactant is 2.5% or less by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, then said surfactant further comprises 5% or more stabilizers by weight based on the solid weight of said slurry, wherein said stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of water-soluble polymers, water-soluble fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof. (b) grinding said slurry in an agitated media mill having a collection of media particles having a median particle size of 550 μm or smaller. Also provided is a dispersion made by such a process.

Provided are a hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose excellent in formability and not causing marked delay in disintegration when added even in a small amount; a solid preparation including the hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose; and a method for producing the solid preparation. More specifically, provided are a hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose for tableting having a specific surface area of from 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2/g as measured by BET and a solid preparation including the hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose. Also provided is a method for producing the hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose for tableting, including the steps of: bringing pulp into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain an alkali cellulose, reacting the alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent to obtain a first hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose, grinding the first hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose, and subjecting the ground first hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose to hydrolysis in the presence of an acid catalyst or oxidative degradation in the presence of an oxidant to obtain a second hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose.

Provided are a hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose excellent in formability and not causing marked delay in disintegration when added even in a small amount; a solid preparation including the hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose; and a method for producing the solid preparation. More specifically, provided are a hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose for tableting having a specific surface area of from 0.5 to 5.0 m.sup.2/g as measured by BET and a solid preparation including the hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose. Also provided is a method for producing the hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose for tableting, including the steps of: bringing pulp into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain an alkali cellulose, reacting the alkali cellulose with an etherifying agent to obtain a first hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose, grinding the first hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose, and subjecting the ground first hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose to hydrolysis in the presence of an acid catalyst or oxidative degradation in the presence of an oxidant to obtain a second hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose.

The invention relates to a method for producing a low-viscosity cellulose ether product, and to the use thereof.