2026-02-09- readingsHydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), also known as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether, is a multifunctional cellulose ether produced from high-purity cotton cellulose through alkali-catalyzed etherification. It possesses excellent thickening, water-retention, binding, and film-forming properties, and is widely used in various industrial fields such as construction, chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.
Construction Industry: In cement mortar, it improves dispersibility, plasticity, and water retention, inhibits cracking, and enhances strength; as a tile adhesive, it enhances adhesion and shatter resistance; in refractory coatings and gypsum slurries, it acts as a suspending agent and rheology modifier, improving workability and bond strength; in addition, it is used in joint cement, putty, plaster, paint, and spray materials to improve fluidity, water retention, and workability.
Chemical Industry: As a suspension stabilizer and dispersant in the polymerization of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride, it can be used to control particle morphology; as a starch substitute in adhesives for wallpapering, etc.; to enhance adhesion in pesticides; as an emulsifying stabilizer and thickener in latex systems; and also for molding and bonding products such as pencils and crayons.
Cosmetics and Daily Chemicals: Used in shampoos and cleansing products to improve viscosity and foam stability; in toothpaste to adjust rheological properties, improve extrudability and mouthfeel.
Food Industry: Used for preserving canned citrus fruits, preventing turbidity and spoilage; as an emulsifying stabilizer and thickener in cold foods and sauces; used for surface coating of frozen aquatic products to maintain color and quality; and can also be used as a binder in tablet molding, exhibiting good adhesion and disintegration synchronization.
Pharmaceutical Industry: As a tablet coating material, suitable for organic solvent or aqueous solution systems; used in sustained-release formulations; as a lubricant in eye drops to reduce eye irritation; and can also be used as a base for topical gels or ointments, as well as a thickener and water-retaining component in impregnated drugs.
Kiln and Ceramics Industry: Used for bonding electronic ceramic sealants and magnetic materials in extrusion molding; as a glaze additive to improve adhesion and processing performance; and to enhance plasticity and water retention in refractory mortars.
Other Applications: Used in textile printing pastes and fiber treatment; oil-resistant treatment of paper surfaces; leather finishing; thickening and film formation of water-based inks; and bonding of recycled tobacco.
HPMC, with its chemical stability, compatibility, and safe and environmentally friendly properties, has become an important functional additive in various industries.
