CROSSLINKED KRAFT PULP COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD

Pulps in accordance with certain embodiments include crosslinked cellulose fibers and have high brightness, reactivity, and intrinsic viscosity, and therefore can be well suited for use as a precursor in the production of low-color, high-viscosity cellulose derivatives. A method in accordance with the present technology includes forming a pulp from a cellulosic feedstock, bleaching the pulp, crosslinking cellulose fibers within the pulp while the pulp has a high consistency, and drying the pulp. Crosslinking the cellulose fibers can include exposing the fibers to a glycidyl ether crosslinker having two or more glycidyl groups and a molecular weight per epoxide within a range from 140 to 175. Another method in accordance with the present technology includes providing an aqueous suspension of pulp that includes chemical wood pulp fibers that were previously bleached and dried, crosslinking the fibers with such a glycidal ether crosslinker, and drying the pulp.