Although the separation of cellulose from lignin by solubilization of the latter via sulphur derivatives makes the production of cellulose pulp fibres independent of external energy there are strong arguments against continuation of this technology. Thus, achievements of the sulphur free isolation of pulp from wood is reviewed. Economic factors as well as regional availability of wood lead to an outlook that new cellulose can outrival starch in the European Union. In other countries starch lends itself to symbiosis with cellulose and lignin yielding combinations of carbohydrate products at price levels competitive with petrochemistry.