A description is given of a process for the industrial preparation of methylhydroxyalkylcelluloses (MHACs) by reaction of cellulose with alkali metal hydroxide and subsequent reaction with an alkyl halide and hydroxyalkylating agent, characterized in that the reaction is carried out batchwise in a reactor which has an L/D ratio of less than 2.5 and in which the unmixed regions are minimized and the batch reactor is preceded at the inlet by a continuously operated cellulose milling facility and is followed at the outlet by a continuously running plant for milling and drying the products, with the product being transported by action of gravity. An apparatus for carrying out this process and the methylhydroxyalkylcellulose obtainable by the process are also described.