Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose

Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC, CAS 9032-42-2) is a non-ionic cellulose ether produced by the combined etherification of cellulose with methyl and hydroxyethyl groups. It functions primarily as a rheology modifier, thickener, and water-retention agent across construction, personal care, and industrial formulations.

In dry-mix mortars, tile adhesives, and cement-based renders, HEMC controls workability and prevents premature water loss during curing. This directly affects open time and bond strength in high-performance building materials.

Personal care formulators use it to build viscosity in shampoos, lotions, and gel-based products while improving spreadability. In interior and exterior paints, it provides sag resistance and stabilizes pigment dispersion throughout the coating's shelf life.

Textile and paper processing operations apply it as a surface sizing and finishing agent to improve coating uniformity and substrate adhesion. This versatile polymer ensures consistent performance across diverse manufacturing environments.

HEMC is supplied as a white to off-white free-flowing powder. Viscosity grades vary widely, typically ranging from low to high molecular weight variants, allowing formulators to match product performance to specific application requirements.

Both technical-grade and pharmaceutical-grade material is available for global distribution. Pharmaceutical supply conforms to USP or Ph.Eur. specifications to ensure the highest levels of purity and safety for sensitive applications.