HPMC CMC HEC

1. Product overview 

Cellulose derivatives are f raw material. Through the reaction of etherification and esterification of hydroxyl group (-OH),cellulose is endowed with water solubility，thermoplasticity and other characteristics, which are widely used in the fields of food, medicine, building materials, daily chemicals and so on.  

2. Main product types

(1) Ether cellulose  

- Methyl cellulose (MC): soluble in cold water, gel temperature 50~60℃, used as thickener and adhesive.  

- Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC): non-ionic, good salt resistance, widely used in paints and cosmetics.  

- Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC): excellent thermal gelation, main application in construction industry (cement mortar).  

- Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC): anionic, food grade (E466) and industrial grade, with high water retention.  

(2) Ester cellulose  

- Cellulose acetate (CA): used in eyeglass frames, film packaging, biodegradable.  

- Nitric acid cellulose (NC): flammable, used in coatings, gunpowder manufacturing.  

(3) Other derivatives  

- Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC): pharmaceutical tablet filler, non-caloric food additive.  

- Nanocellulose (NCC): high strength nanomaterials, used for composite material reinforcement.  

3. Key Characteristics 

| Characteristics | Benefits Description |  

|---------------------|------------------------|  

| Thickening properties | Adjustable solution viscosity (50~100,000 mPa-s) |  

| Film Forming | Forms transparent and flexible films | Water Solubility | Some models are available in a range of colors.  

| Water solubility | Cold/hot water soluble in some models | Biocompatible | Non-toxic  

| Biocompatible | Non-toxic, can be used in medicine and food | | Chemical Resistance** | Chemical Resistance** | Chemical Resistant  

| Chemical Resistance | Stabilized in the pH 3~11 range  

4. Typical application areas

- Food industry: Ice cream stabilizers (CMC), low calorie food fillers (MCC)  

- Pharmaceutical industry: tablet coating (HPMC), extended release formulations (EC)  

- Building materials: cement water retention agent (HPMC), tile adhesive  

- Daily chemical products: shampoo thickening (HEC), toothpaste binder (CMC)  

- Electronic materials: LCD polarizing film (cellulose acetate)  

5. Technology Development Trends 

- Green process: reduce the use of organic solvents, develop ionic liquid method and other environmentally friendly production technology  

- Functionalization modification: introduction of hydrophobic groups (such as long-chain alkyl) to enhance water resistance  

- High purity medical grade: meet FDA/EP Pharmacopoeia standards for injection excipients.  

6. Selection Guide  

   | Requirements | Recommended Products |   

   | High Temperature Stability | HPMC (Gel Temperature ≥ 70°C) |  

   | High Transparency Solution | HEC (Nonionic) |  

   | Food Certification | CMC (FCC/USP grade) |  

   | Oil-water emulsification | Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (HPC) |