what is cellulose ethers?

Cellulose ethers are a group of water-soluble natural or synthetic polymers derived from cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer on Earth. These polymers are widely used in various industrial applications, such as in the production of pharmaceuticals, food products, cosmetics, and construction materials.

Cellulose ethers are produced by chemically modifying cellulose to create new functional groups that impart unique properties to the polymer. The most common types of cellulose ethers include methyl cellulose (MC), ethyl cellulose (EC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC).

Each type of cellulose ether has specific properties that make it suitable for different applications. For example, MC is often used as a thickener and emulsifier in food products, while HEC is commonly used as a thickener and rheology modifier in personal care products. EC is used as a film-forming agent in pharmaceuticals, and CMC is used as a binder and stabilizer in the production of paper and textiles.

 

HPMC, or Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, is a type of cellulose ether derived from cellulose, a natural polymer found in plant cell walls. HPMC is made by chemically modifying cellulose with methyl groups and hydroxypropyl groups. This modification results in a water-soluble, odorless, and tasteless polymer that has a variety of industrial and commercial applications.

HPMC has a wide range of properties, such as being non-toxic, non-ionic, and non-allergenic, making it suitable for use in pharmaceuticals, food products, personal care products, and construction materials. In the pharmaceutical industry, HPMC is used as a binder, disintegrant, and coating agent for tablets and capsules. In the food industry, HPMC is used as a thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer in processed foods such as dairy products, sauces, and dressings.

HPMC is also commonly used in construction materials such as cement, mortar, and plaster as a water-retention agent, workability enhancer, and adhesive. In personal care products, HPMC is used as a thickener and emulsifier in products such as shampoos, lotions, and creams.

The properties of HPMC can be modified by adjusting the degree of substitution (DS) and the viscosity grade. The DS refers to the number of methyl and hydroxypropyl groups on the cellulose molecule, while the viscosity grade refers to the thickness or flowability of the polymer solution. Different combinations of DS and viscosity grade can produce HPMC with unique properties suitable for specific applications.

 

China’s professional supplier of quality cellulose ether

We are professional manufacturer in China , which was found in 2010 ,with a total investment of 220 million CNY, covers an area of 360 acres ,with 190 employees,including 50 scientific and technical personnel,and sixteen advanced production lines, We have ten advanced production lines,Now our annual output of cellulose ether capacity reaches 20000 tons ,we are become one of the largest cellulose ethers manufacturer in north of china.