Abstract: A method is disclosed for delignification of ligno-cellulose containing fiber material comprising mixing an oxygen-containing gas with the cellulose fiber material so as to atomize the gas and form a foam of the gas and the cellulose fiber material, and without an intervening oxidation step, subjecting the foam to upwardly flowing, substantially non-pressurized, alkali extraction. The alkali extraction step is conducted at a temperature of from about 40.degree. to about 80.degree. C. and at a pH, ligno cellulose containing fiber concentration and oxygen containing gas concentration sufficient to provide a bleached, delignified cellulose fiber without bleaching the lignin substance extracted from the material and to suppress lignin condensation reaction during the extraction.