Acetate in Cigarette Filters
topic
Cigarette filter tow (50-60% of global acetate production, ~600,000 tonnes annually): cellulose acetate with total denier 30,000-40,000, individual filament 3-8 denier, length 100-110 mm, crimped (8-12 crimps/inch), processed into filter rods via plasticizer (triacetin 8-12%), wrapping paper, and cutting. Filters tar and particulates while maintaining draw resistance.
Role
Dominant application for acetate fibres with specialized properties: biodegradability (photodegradable formulations for environmental concerns), appropriate pressure drop (50-100 mm H₂O), and tar filtration efficiency (20-40% reduction).