CA for Cigarette filter and medical filtration

Cellulose acetate (CA) is a product formed through homogeneous/heterogeneous reactions between cellulose and acetic anhydride in the presence of a catalyst and other auxiliary reagents. Cellulose acetate (CA) can be classified into different products such as diacetate cellulose and triacetate cellulose (TAC) based on the degree of acetylation (also known as substitution degree, an average value indicating the extent to which the three hydroxyl groups on the cellulose unit are substituted). Among these, a substitution degree of 2.2–2.5 corresponds to diacetate cellulose, while a substitution degree greater than 2.7 corresponds to triacetate cellulose (TAC).

Diacetate cellulose can further be divided into spinning-grade cellulose acetate: Spinning-grade products are internationally recognized as non-toxic and harmless materials with no known alternatives. Their primary application is as filtration materials, particularly in cigarette filters, where they are used in very large quantities and serve as the core material for cigarette filters.

Competitive Advantage Analysis

CA for cigarette filters

Advantage:

• Microporous structure control: CA fibers typically have a diameter of 3-5μm. Through a spinning process, they can form a three-dimensional mesh structure with a porosity of 80-90%, which can efficiently trap tar (with a filtration efficiency of 30-60%) while maintaining smooth airflow and balancing the smoking experience.
• Selective adsorption: The acetyl content (38-40%) gives CA material moderate polarity, enabling it to preferentially adsorb non-polar tar components while reducing excessive nicotine loss.
• Odorless and neutral: CA itself is odorless and tasteless, avoiding the plastic odor that PP filter tips may produce, and preserving the original flavor of tobacco to the greatest extent possible.
• Drug controlled-release carrier: insoluble in gastric acid (pH 1-2) and soluble in the intestine (pH ≥ 6), protecting the drug from degradation in the stomach.
• Strong film-forming properties, coating thickness can be controlled between 20 and 100 μm.
• Transdermal drug delivery system: CA microporous membrane (pore size 0.1-1μm) used in nicotine patches and hormone patches to control drug penetration rate.

Technical Data:

Application

Cigarette industry

Cellulose acetate (CA) accounts for 80% of the market share in the tobacco industry, where it is mainly used to manufacture cigarette filters. This material effectively filters harmful substances in tobacco (such as nicotine and tar) and is flame retardant, reducing the release of harmful substances during combustion and improving cigarette safety.

Medical field

In the pharmaceutical field, cellulose acetate is widely used in drug controlled-release systems and Medical filtration equipment, such as the film material for sustained-release tablets and enteric coatings, to reduce side effects by controlling the release rate of drugs. In addition, its biocompatibility is also used in biomedical materials such as wound dressings and bone tissue scaffolds, which are both breathable and antibacterial.

Cellulose acetate (CA) is a high-performance material modified by acetylation of natural cellulose. With its excellent filtration properties, biocompatibility, and controllable physical and chemical properties, it occupies an important position in cigarette filters and the medical field. As a leading supplier of chemical raw materials, China AAB Group provides high-quality cellulose acetate to meet the needs of various industries.If you need more technical data,or free samples for testing, please feel free to contact us.