ABSTRACT
Cotton (Figure 1.1) is the most important natural textile fiber, as well as cellulosic textile fiber,
in the world, used to produce apparel, home furnishings, and industrial products. Worldwide
about 40% of the fiber consumed in 2004 was cotton [1]. (See also Table 9.1 World Production
of Textile Fibers on page 130.) Cotton is grown mostly for fiber but it is also a food crop
(cottonseed)—the major end uses for cottonseeds are vegetable oil for human consumption;
whole seed, meal, and hulls for animal feed; and linters for batting and chemical cellulose.
