Cellophane is a thin, transparent film developed in the early 20th century. Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger invented the material around 1908, initially aiming to create a liquid-repelling coating for fabric. He realized the potential of the clear, flexible film that could be peeled away from the cloth, and by 1912, he had patented the product, naming it by combining “cellulose” and diaphane, the French word for “transparent”. This invention introduced the first transparent, flexible packaging material.
The Primary Component
Cellulose is the fundamental substance of cellophane. This naturally occurring polymer is the main structural component found in the cell walls of plants, making it the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. This polysaccharide is a long chain of linked glucose molecules.
For commercial cellophane production, the cellulose is sourced from renewable plant materials like wood pulp or cotton linters. The raw material is processed into a highly pure dissolving pulp. This plant-based origin separates true cellophane from the synthetic, petroleum-derived plastics often mistakenly called “cellophane” today.
Converting Cellulose into Film
The manufacturing process that converts raw cellulose into a transparent film is known as the Viscose process. It begins when purified cellulose sheets are steeped in a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), which creates alkali cellulose. This alkaline treatment prepares the cellulose for the next chemical reaction.
The alkali cellulose is then shredded into fine crumbs and aged to control the final properties of the film. The crumbs are transferred to sealed vessels where they are treated with carbon disulfide, a process called xanthation. This reaction turns the mixture an orange-yellow color, resulting in cellulose xanthate.
The cellulose xanthate is dissolved in a weak sodium hydroxide solution to create a thick, honey-like fluid called viscose. This viscose solution is filtered to remove impurities and air bubbles and then allowed to ripen. To form the film, the viscose is continuously extruded through a narrow slit into a coagulation bath.
The bath contains dilute sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate, which instantly regenerates the cellulose. The acid neutralizes the alkali, causing the cellulose to precipitate out in a continuous, thin sheet. The film is then passed through baths for washing, desulfurization, and bleaching, followed by treatment with softening agents, such as glycerin or glycol, to prevent it from becoming brittle.
Distinctive Properties and Environmental Impact
Cellophane possesses several unique properties. The material is highly transparent and exhibits excellent anti-static properties, which is beneficial for packaging machinery. It offers low permeability to air, oils, and greases, making it effective for food packaging, though its high permeability to water vapor means it often requires a coating for moisture-sensitive products.
Because cellophane is made from regenerated cellulose, it is inherently biodegradable and compostable. Uncoated cellophane breaks down quickly, often within months in composting environments, leaving behind only water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter.
Cellophane’s biodegradability contrasts sharply with petroleum-based plastics, which can persist in the environment for centuries. While coatings added to improve moisture resistance can slow the degradation process, modern applications include food wraps, adhesive tape backings, and specialty packaging where its distinctive qualities are valued.