Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CAS 9004-32-4), commonly known as CMC or E466, is a water-soluble cellulose derivative used as a thickener, binder, and stabilizer.

Where is Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose used?

• Oil and gas drilling: controls fluid loss and stabilizes wellbore mud
• Food: improves texture and shelf stability in ice cream, sauces, and baked goods
• Paper and textile processing: surface sizing agent and warp sizing agent
• Construction: extends open time and improves workability in tile adhesives, cement renders and dry-mix mortars
• It modifies viscosity and controls water retention in formulations.
• Cosmetics: emulsifier and thickener.
• Pharmaceuticals: binder, disintegrant, and controlled-release agent in tablets, syrups, suspensions, and eye drops.
• Ceramics: binder and suspending agent in body, glaze and decorative glaze.

Good to know: Purity and viscosity specifications vary by end use, making grade selection a critical procurement consideration. Grades include food-grade (E466/FCC), pharmaceutical-grade (USP/Ph. Eur.), and technical-grade.

Formulation notes

• In yogurt, recommended dosage is 0.3% to 0.5%.
• Higher degree of substitution improves compatibility with salts.
• Prolonged exposure of solution to high temperatures above 50°C can cause degradation due to alkaline substances.

Typical specification

• Viscosity of solution decreases with increasing temperature; this effect is reversible up to 50°C.
• Generally considered hypoallergenic; the major source fiber is softwood pulp or cotton linter.
• Viscosity varies with degree of substitution (DS) and molecular weight.
• Classified into various models based on degree of substitution, solution viscosity and purity.
• 0.9 carboxymethyl groups per anhydroglucose unit is typical.

Regulatory status

• Listed as E466 by EFSA.
• Listed in the European Pharmacopoeia monograph 0472.
• Listed in the EU INCI as Cellulose Gum, Sodium CMC under Regulation EC 1223/2009.
• Technical grade is not intended for food use; for food applications, grade E466 conforming to food purity requirements is needed.

Storage, packaging and handling

• To prepare a solution, disperse the powder in water with vigorous stirring and let it hydrate for several hours or overnight at room temperature.
• Storage class is 11 - Combustible Solids.

Frequently asked questions about Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Is CMC classified as hazardous under CLP regulation?

It is not classified as hazardous under EC 1272/2008 (CLP) under normal use conditions; powder may irritate mucous membranes upon heavy inhalation.

Does the Turkish Food Codex set an upper limit for CMC in foods?

The Turkish Food Codex does not specify an upper limit for CMC in foods.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.