Extraction of high alpha cellulose pulp suitable for esterification from Hibiscus cannabinus by water prehydrolysis sulphate process is described. Analytical data on raw material, prehydrolyzed material and unbleached and bleached pulp are reported. Bleached pulp containing alpha-cellulose 91-94% could be obtained with acceptable brightness, degree of polymerization and ash contents. Some aspects on the product of homogeneous acetylation of the alpha cellulose were also discussed to ascertain the suitability of the pulp for preparation of industrially important cellulsoe derivatives.