The present invention relates to a process for producing a decrystallized
cellulose having a reduced cellulose I-type crystallinity from a
cellulose-containing raw material in an efficient manner with an
excellent productivity. In accordance with the present invention, there
is provided a process for producing a decrystallized cellulose from a raw
material containing a cellulose having a cellulose I-type crystallinity
of more than 33% as calculated from the following formula:
Cellulose I-type Crystallinity
(%)=[(I.sub.22.6-I.sub.18.5)/I.sub.22.6].times.100
wherein I.sub.22.6 is a diffraction intensity of a lattice plane (002
plane) as measured at a diffraction angle 2.theta. of 22.6.degree. in
X-ray diffraction analysis; and I.sub.18.5 is a diffraction intensity of
an amorphous moiety as measured at a diffraction angle 2.theta. of
18.5.degree. in X-ray diffraction analysis, the process including the
step of treating the cellulose-containing raw material using a media-type
mill to reduce the cellulose I-type crystallinity of the cellulose to 33%
or less, wherein the cellulose-containing raw material has a bulk density
of from 100 to 500 kg/m.sup.3, and a content of the cellulose in a
residue obtained by removing water from the cellulose-containing raw
material is 20% by weight or more.