A process for making a composition for conversion to lyocell fiber where the process comprises pulping a raw material in a digester to provide an alkaline pulp, wherein the raw material comprises sawdust in an amount greater than 0 % up to 100 %; and contacting the alkaline pulp comprising cellulose and at least about 7 % hemicellulose under alkaline conditions with an amount of an oxidant sufficient to reduce the average degree of polymerization of the cellulose to within the range of from about 200 to about 1100, without substantially reducing the hemicellulose content of the pulp or substantially increasing the copper number.