In general carboxymethylation of cellulose achieved in alkaline
alcoholic dispersions. In this work modification of cellulose from recycled newspaper in aqueous alkaline
solution was aimed. First cellulose was recovered from newspaper under oxidative alkaline conditions.
Cellulose recovery was determined as 75–90% (w/w) of starting material. Carboxymethylation reactions
were carried out to find optimum conditions for derivatization, changing concentrations of components
and reaction temperature. Obtained CMC samples had a DS of 0.3–0.7% and 84–94% CMC content. As
a result, carboxymethylation of cellulose from recycled newspaper was achieved in aqueous alkaline
dispersion giving commercial grade CMC for industrial use.