<p>Coffee hulls resulting from the dry processing of coffee beans are abundant lignocellulosic materials in Brazil, and few studies have been explored their use as a source of cellulose-rich material (CER). The objective of this study was to obtain a cellulose-rich material (CER) from raw coffee hulls (CFH) by a treatment using a chlorine-free bleaching agent (peracetic acid) in a single-step process. CER samples were characterized according to their composition, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, water and oil absorption capacities, and swelling capacity. Peracetic acid treatment increased cellulose content in CER from 31.52 to 71.61% and reduced lignin from 35.22 to 6.16%, indicating efficient delignification and cellulose enrichment, which may enhance crystallinity and techno-functional properties. Crystallinity and morphological changes directly impacted the material’s techno-functional properties. The increase in crystallinity of CFH from 34.48 to 69.60% in CER and the morphological changes favored water absorption, oil absorption, and swelling capacities. These results demonstrate that coffee hulls can be considered a potential source of cellulose, with a wide range of industrial applications, including producing new modified materials, hydrogels, dermo-cosmetics, emulsifiers, and food additives.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>