Activated carbon fibre is investigated for adsorption of organic pollutants from wastewater generated from refined cotton production. UVVis spectroscopy and FTIR are used to evaluate the chemical changes. Results indicate that the main organic components of refined cotton production wastewater are guaiacyl (G-) and hydroxyphenyl (H-) lignin. It is found that 85% of COD can be removed at 40 degrees C with ACF dosage of 90gL1. The adsorption process is described by the RedlichPeterson isotherm model. The kinetic data follows a pseudo-second-order equation. Over 99% of acute toxicity for Refined Cotton Production (RCP) wastewater has been reduced after adsorption using ACF. (c) 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering