Potential of hot water extraction of birch wood to produce high-purity dissolving pulp after alkaline pulping

► Hot water extractions followed by SAQ pulping produce high-purity cellulose pulps. ► Below a xylan content of 3% in pulp, the cellulose yield dramatically decreases. ► Sodium borohydride increases the cellulose yield. ► After intense hot water extractions, amorphous cellulose is degraded during pulping.