British Celanese Ltd.
Quick Summary
British Celanese Ltd. was a British company that played a significant role in the commercial production of cellulose acetate. Cellulose acetate is a synthetic compound derived from cellulose, a plant substance.12
The company was founded by Swiss brothers Henri and Camille Dreyfus. During World War I, they established a factory in England to produce cellulose diacetate for coating airplane wings. After the war, they shifted to producing diacetate fibers, and in 1921, British Celanese Ltd. began commercial manufacturing of this product, trademarked as Celanese.12
Cellulose acetate is versatile and can be spun into textile fibers (known as acetate rayon or simply acetate) or molded into solid plastic parts. It was used in clothing for its softness and drape, and also found applications in photographic film, cigarette filters, and automotive parts. While its use has declined due to competition from other materials like polyester, acetate fibers are still utilized in easy-care garments and linings due to their sheen.12
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