Product Description
Introduction to Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC)
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) is a water - soluble cellulose ether derived from natural cellulose through chemical modification. It is widely used across various industries due to its unique properties.
1. Definition
HPMC is produced by reacting cellulose with NaOH to form alkali - cellulose, followed by methyl chloride (CH3Cl) and Propylen-e oxide to introduce methyl and hydroxypropyl groups onto the cellulose molecular chain. This process transforms insoluble cellulose into a versatile, water - soluble polymer.
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- Appearance: HPMC typically appears as a white to off - white powder, odorless and tasteless.
- Solubility: It exhibits excellent solubility in cold water, forming a clear and viscous solution. However, it is insoluble in hot water, organic solvents like ethanol and aceton e, and in salt solutions above certain concentrations.
- Viscosity: The viscosity of HPMC solutions varies based on concentration, molecular weight, and temperature. Higher molecular weight HPMC leads to higher solution viscosity.
Chemical Properties
- Stability: HPMC is stable under a wide range of pH values (from 3 to 11). It resists enzymatic degradation, which contributes to its long - term effectiveness in various applications.
- Film - forming Ability: It can form transparent, flexible, and tough films upon evaporation of the solvent, providing barrier properties against moisture and gases.
3. Production Methods
- Pre - treatment: Cellulose raw materials, usually from wood pulp or cotton linters, are first treated with NaOH to swell the cellulose fibers and make them more reactive.
- Etherification: The alkali - cellulose reacts with CH3Cl and Propylen-e oxide under specific temperature and pressure conditions. The reaction is carefully controlled to achieve the desired degree of substitution of methyl and hydroxypropyl groups.
- Purification: After etherification, the product undergoes washing to remove unreacted reagents, by - products like NaCl, and other impurities. It is then dried and ground into a fine powder for commercial use.
4. Storage
- Container: Store HPMC in tightly sealed containers, such as plastic bags or drums, to prevent moisture absorption.
- Environment: Keep it in a cool, dry place with a temperature range of 5 - 30°C and a relative humidity below 60%. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and heat sources, as high temperatures and humidity can affect its viscosity and solubility properties.
5. Market Information
- Market Size: The global HPMC market has been growing steadily, driven by increasing demand from construction, food, and personal care industries.
- Key Producers: Major producers are located in regions like Asia, Europe, and North America. Competition is fierce, with companies focusing on product quality, cost - effectiveness, and innovation.
- Price Fluctuations: Prices are influenced by factors such as the cost of raw materials (cellulose, CH3Cl, Propylen-e oxide), energy prices, and global supply - demand dynamics.
6. Downstream Industry Chain
- Upstream: The upstream of the HPMC industry mainly involves the supply of raw materials, including cellulose sources (wood pulp, cotton linters), CH3Cl, Propylen-e oxide, and NaOH.
- Midstream: Midstream players are HPMC manufacturers responsible for production, purification, and packaging.
- Downstream: The downstream covers a wide range of industries, including construction, food, personal care, and others, which consume HPMC as an additive or ingredient.
Detailed Photos

Product Parameters
Test Item |
Specification |
Result |
Purity (on dry basis) (%) |
≥ 99.5 |
99.6 |
Moisture (%) |
≤ 10.0 |
6.8 |
pH (1% solution) |
6.5 - 8.5 |
7.1 |
Degree of Substitution (D.S.) |
0.65 - 0.90 |
0.85 |
Viscosity (1% solution, 25°C) |
300 - 8000 mPa·s (as per grade) |
2100 |
Loss on Drying (%) |
≤ 10 |
6.3 |
Heavy Metals |
≤ 0.002% |
<0.002% |
As |
≤ 0.0002% |
<0.0002% |
Appearance |
White/off-white fine powder |
Qualified |
Conclusion |
--- |
Conform to Spec. |
Application
Application Areas
- Construction: In the construction industry, HPMC is used as a thickening agent, water - retaining agent, and adhesive in mortar, plaster, and tile adhesives. It improves workability, adhesion, and water retention, enhancing the quality of construction materials.
- Food: In food products, it functions as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, and film - former. It is used in salad dressings, ice creams, and bakery products to improve texture, stability, and shelf - life.
- Personal Care: In personal care items like lotions, creams, and shampoos, HPMC acts as a thickener, emulsifier, and film - former, providing a smooth texture and enhancing product performance.
Certifications

Product List

Company Profile
Shandong Jiuchong Chemical Company Limited was founded in 2016, which is located in Weifang City, Shandong Province, China. We have 228 square meters of office space. Now Jiuchong chemical is a large modern international chemical enterprise with more than 28 series. Since our establishment, the company has gradually established and improved a sound supply chain system, quality monitoring system and service system, ensuring products quality and service.
At the same time, relying on our own geographical location and resource advantages, our company is committed to the optimization of a variety of chemical supply chain, including magnesium chloride, sodium metabisulfite, sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, polyaluminium chloride, aluminium sulfate, industrial salt, soda ash etc.
Our products are sold well in 288 domestic cities and more than 36 foreign countries. Now the company has won the praise and trust of domestic and foreign customers. Based on stable quality and output, good team service and staff efforts, we will continue to develop domestic and foreign markets.
Jiuchong chemical takes "integrity, innovation and development" as the concept, puts integrity in the priority position in serving customers, and guarantees high quality products and satisfactory cooperation for customers experience. Your satisfaction is our driving force. Quality is the soul of enterprise and that is what we have always done. In the future, Shandong Jiuchong Chemical Company Limited hopes to build a brilliant tomorrow with you!
FAQ
Q1: Is this product safe to handle?
A: Yes, it is generally considered safe and non-toxic under normal handling conditions. However, we recommend wearing gloves and a mask to avoid prolonged skin or inhalation exposure, especially in large-scale use.
Q2: What is the shelf life of this product?
A: The shelf life is 2 years when stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. It should be kept away from moisture to prevent caking or decomposition.
Q3: What packaging options are available?
A: Standard packaging includes 25kg or 50kg plastic woven bags with inner liners. We also offer jumbo bags and customized bag marks according to your requirements.
Q4: Can you provide documents such as COA, MSDS, or TDS?
A: Absolutely. We can provide Certificate of Analysis (COA), Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), Technical Data Sheet (TDS), and other documents as needed for customs or technical review.