Specialty cellulose

Tembec is one of the world leaders in specialty cellulose, which is used in a tremendous range of applications across many industries – cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, personal care, food, coatings, electronics and energy.

Specialty cellulose – what the world is made of

Refined from wood pulp, Tembec’s specialty cellulose has almost infinite applications including:

  • Texturizer – it makes dairy products such as chocolate gelato creamier.
  • Thickening agent – it makes cosmetic creams smoother and more luxurious.
  • Splatter control – it makes paint, mortar and plaster easier to use.
  • Strengthening agent – it can make eyeglass frames stronger.
  • Binder – it is essential in the production of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

It’s also a component of the liquid crystal displays on computer screens. And it can heighten the glossiness of inks, lacquers, nail polishes and varnishes.

Our specialty cellulose expertise makes us a reliable partner for our blue-chip customers in multi-billion dollar markets – such as personal care and coatings – that are growing in the range of 4% to 5% a year. 

In three of our main business lines – cellulose ethers, nitrocellulose and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) – we are the world’s leading producer. 

While the great bulk of our production is in high purity specialty cellulose, we also produce commodity dissolving pulp, used for viscose.

All our specialty cellulose products are available as Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, your assurance they are made with fiber from responsible sources.

All specialty cellulose products made at our Tartas, France, operation are PEFC certified.

Custom manufacturing to customer specifications 

Our products have a high degree of purity – essential with food and pharmaceuticals – and brightness. And we manufacture to exacting customer specifications.

We have a high degree of control over viscosity, and complete flexibility in meeting customer requirements, because we source our ‘fiber baskets’ from diverse wood species, ranging from the maritime pine of Southwest France to the boreal forest of Canada.

At our R&D Centre in Gradignan near Bordeaux, France, we’re turning innovative ideas into customer success stories. Our scientists, engineers and technicians collaborate closely with our customers on developing new applications and higher grades.

Product characteristics and applications

Business line Market segment Applications
Cellulose ethers Pharmaceuticals Film coating for pills
Food Texturizer and stabilizer
Personal care Thickening agent
Construction Spatter control agents in paints, adhesives, mortar and plaster
Oil drilling Thinning agents in drilling mud
Cellulose acetate Textiles Fibers and threads for quality fabrics
Electronics Optical film for LCD technology
Consumer products Fibers for filtration media
Nitrocellulose Cosmetics Nail polish
Paint Quick drying lacquers and varnishes
Specialty Inks and coatings
Mining Explosives
Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) Pharmaceuticals Binder
Food Hydrocolloids

Operations, capacity and certifications

Facility Production capacity (annual) Cellulose ethers Cellulose acetate Nitrocellulose Microcrystalline cellulose Certification
Temiscaming, Québec, Canada 160,000 metric tons FSC
Tartas, France 150,000 metric tons     FSC
PEFC

PEFC is the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

FSC

Q&A with our CEO

Jim Lopez on where Tembec has been, and where Tembec is headed:

Contacts

  • Specialty cellulose sales, Canada

    joey.ducharme@tembec.com
    Telephone: 416 775-2806
    Telephone: 416 775-2800
    Toll-free: 1 888 883-6232
    Fax: 416 621-3119
    405 The West Mall, Suite 800
    Etobicoke, Ontario
    M9C 5J1

  • Specialty cellulose sales, France

    philippe.stephano@tembec.com
    Telephone: +33 5 58 90 91 64
    Fax: +33 5 58 90 91 59
    20 avenue de la gare
    40 100 Dax France