4702.00.00 - Chemical woodpulp, dissolving grades

This HTS category, 4702.00.00, specifically covers chemical woodpulp classified as "dissolving grades." These are highly purified wood pulps with a very high alpha-cellulose content, designed for further processing into regenerated cellulosic products such as rayon, cellophane, and acetate fibers. Unlike mechanical pulps or other chemical pulps intended for paper production, dissolving grades are characterized by their purity and their suitability for chemical transformations.

When considering other categories at the same level within the broader HTS structure, 4702.00.00 is distinguished by its specific chemical composition and intended end-use. For instance, it is differentiated from mechanical wood pulp (Chapter 47) by the chemical process used in its manufacture, which removes lignin and other non-cellulosic components to achieve high purity. It also differs from pulps intended for paper manufacturing by its significantly higher degree of purification and reactivity.

Within this specific classification, further distinctions are made at the subcategory level. Subcategory 4702.00.00.20 encompasses sulfite dissolving grades, which are produced using a sulfite pulping process. In contrast, subcategory 4702.00.00.40 covers sulfate (or soda) dissolving grades, manufactured via the kraft (sulfate) or soda pulping processes. These subcategories reflect the different chemical methods employed in the production of dissolving pulp, each yielding pulp with slightly different characteristics that influence its suitability for various regenerated cellulosic applications.