Rayon, cellophane, and acetate Rayon and cellophane are the same product in different form. Both are made from cellulose from wood. Chips of wood are digested with caustic soda. The resultant mass is allowed to oxidize in air and carbon disulfide added. This produces cellulose xanthate.
More caustic soda is added.
The mixture becomes viscous and is then exuded as fine sheets or as fibers. These are drawn through an acid bath to get rid of the base. Rayon makes a fiber that is a lot like cotton. It accepts dyes well. Acetates are made from wood or cotton fibers and acetic acid, acetic anhydride and a catalytic agent.