Cotton linter refers to the short fibers that remain after cotton has been ginned, or separated, from the seeds. These fibers are often too short for textile production but have various other industrial uses. Cotton linter is primarily used in the production of:

1. Paper: Cotton linter is an important raw material for producing high-quality paper, especially specialty papers like currency and archival-quality papers.

2. Cellulose: It can be processed to extract cellulose, which is then used in the manufacture of products like cellophane and plastics.

3. Absorbents: Cotton linter is sometimes used to make absorbent products such as pads or wadding.

4. Animal feed: In some cases, it is used in animal feed, particularly for cattle, after going through certain treatments to make it digestible.

Cotton linter is also utilized in some chemical processes because of its cellulose content. It’s a valuable byproduct, especially in regions where cotton farming is prominent.