Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a multifunctional additive involving irradiating raw cotton plant material with an electron beam source, continually blending the raw cotton plant material during the irradiating and micronizing the irradiated cotton plant material. The invention is improved wherein the irradiating and blending of the raw cotton plant material is performed while the raw cotton plant material is in rope form. Irradiated rope is suitably tensioned before micronizing to compensate for degradability of the rope incurred during irradiation.