Method for dissolving cellulose and for producing cellulose particles

Method of obtaining precipitated cellulose particles, said method consisting of the steps of

• a) preparing an aqueous suspension of cellulose having a cellulose content of at least 0.1% by weight;
• b) adjusting the pH value of the suspension obtained in step a) to a value of from 3 to 7;
• c) adding to the suspension an enzyme with endoglucanase activity in an amount wherein the endoglucanase activity is from 20 to 2000×103 IU/kg of dry pulp to obtain a mixture;
• d) heating the mixture obtained in step c) at a temperature between 40 and 65° C. until the degree of polymerization of the cellulose is not lower than a value of 100;
• e) adding an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in an amount above 15% by weight to the mixture obtained in step d);
• f) heating the mixture obtained in step e) at a temperature between 15 and 50° C., to obtain a cellulose solution comprising at least 50% dissolved cellulose;
• and
• g) spraying or mixing the cellulose solution obtained in step f) into an acid solution to obtain a suspension containing precipitated cellulose particles, and, optionally, subjecting the precipitated cellulose particles in the suspension to crosslinking or derivatization;
• and, optionally,
• h) washing and/or drying the precipitated cellulose particles of step g).