HPMC refers to a versatile cellulose ether used in a wide range of industries as a thickener, binder and film former. This high-performance additive is made by controlled chemical modification of natural cellulose.
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In industrial applications, HPMC maintains stable performance due to its excellent properties (water solubility, thermal gelation and adhesion enhancement). With its cost-effectiveness and compliance, HPMC has become a must-have material in building materials, pharmaceutical formulations, personal care products and food applications.
HPMC stands for Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, a semi-synthetic, water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose (a natural plant fiber). It’s commonly used as a thickener, binder, film-former, and stabilizer in various products.
Because it’s non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for multiple applications, HPMC has become a popular ingredient in industries like construction, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.
HPMC is made from cellulose, which is a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants. The process of making HPMC involves modifying cellulose to create a compound that has enhanced properties.
The production of HPMC begins with the extraction of cellulose from wood pulp or cotton. This cellulose is then treated with a series of chemicals, including propylene oxide and methyl chloride. The resulting material is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, which is then dried and powdered for use in various applications.
If you want to know more about how is HPMC made, you can read the extensive article about the production of hpmc powder in our factory.
MelaColl™ is a leading provider of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC), offering a wide range of premium-grade HPMC products and tailored solutions to suit various industrial applications. With a commitment to quality and customization, MelaColl™ ensures reliable performance for your specific requirements.
Thanks to its versatility, HPMC is used in a wide range of industries. Let’s explore some of the most common applications.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a key ingredient in many construction materials. It improves performance, workability, and durability
HPMC makes tile adhesives sticky and easy to apply. It helps the adhesive hold tiles firmly without slipping. It also retains water, allowing the adhesive to dry slowly and form a strong bond.
In cement renders and plasters, HPMC acts as a thickener and water retainer. It prevents cracks by slowing down water loss, giving the mixture more time to set properly. It also improves workability, making it easier to spread smoothly.
Self-leveling floors need to flow evenly and dry without cracks. HPMC helps control the thickness and drying time, ensuring a flat, smooth surface. It also reduces shrinkage and improves strength.
HPMC is used in gypsum plasters, joint fillers, and other gypsum products. It enhances adhesion, reduces cracking, and improves workability. It also helps the mixture retain moisture for better setting.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a safe and versatile ingredient used in many cosmetic and personal care products. It acts as a thickener, film-former, and stabilizer, improving texture and performance.
HPMC is widely used in personal care items like shampoos, lotions, and toothpaste. It acts as a thickener, giving products a smooth, creamy texture that spreads easily. In shampoos and body washes, it helps create a rich lather, while in lotions, it locks in moisture to keep skin hydrated.
In makeup, HPMC works as a binder and film-former, helping products like foundation, mascara, and lipstick stay in place.
It gives foundations a smooth, blendable texture and prevents them from cracking. In mascara and eyeliner, it forms a flexible film that resists smudging and flaking. For lip products, it enhances texture and wear time.
HPMC also helps face masks adhere better to the skin, ensuring active ingredients work effectively. Its lightweight and non-greasy feel makes it ideal for cosmetics.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a key ingredient in many medicines and supplements. It is safe, non-toxic, and helps improve drug performance.
HPMC is commonly used to coat tablets, giving them a smooth, easy-to-swallow finish. The coating protects the medicine from moisture and masks bitter tastes. It also controls how fast the tablet dissolves, ensuring the drug releases properly in the body.
In eye drops, HPMC acts as a lubricant to relieve dryness and irritation. It forms a soothing gel-like layer on the eye’s surface, keeping it moist for longer. Because it is gentle and non-irritating, it’s perfect for sensitive eyes.
HPMC is used to make vegetarian (non-gelatin) capsules. These capsules dissolve easily in the stomach, releasing the medicine smoothly. They are ideal for people who avoid animal-based products.
It helps bind ingredients in vitamins and supplements, keeping them stable. It also improves texture and makes powders or tablets easier to digest.
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HPMC is also used in the food industry as a thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer. It helps improve the texture of various food products, from sauces and dressings to ice creams and baked goods.
In addition to enhancing texture, HPMC can also extend the shelf life of food products by preventing the separation of ingredients and maintaining moisture levels.
HPMC is commonly used in the formulation of paints, coatings, and adhesives. It acts as a thickening agent, ensuring that the paint maintains a consistent viscosity during application.
Moreover, HPMC improves the spreadability of paints and helps prevent sagging or running when applied to vertical surfaces. This property is particularly important for achieving a smooth finish.
Yes, HPMC is considered safe for use in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and construction materials. It is a non-toxic, plant-based (cellulose-derived) additive that has been approved by major health and regulatory agencies worldwide, including FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) – Approved as a food additive and pharmaceutical ingredient and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) – Recognized as safe for consumption.
HPMC is usually well-tolerated, but some individuals may experience mild side effects, especially if consumed in large quantities. Possible side effects include:
HPMC is semi-synthetic—it’s derived from natural cellulose but chemically modified for better performance.
Yes, HPMC is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It is classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS), meaning it is considered safe for consumption and use in products when used as intended.
Yes, since it’s plant-based, HPMC is vegan-friendly (unlike gelatin capsules).
Yes, it’s often used as a stabilizer in gluten-free baking.
HPMC powder has a long shelf life (usually 2+ years) if stored in a cool, dry place.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a versatile and essential compound used across various industries. Its unique properties, including thickening, binding, and film-forming abilities, make it a valuable ingredient in construction, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and paints.
With its safety profile and extensive applications, HPMC continues to be a key component in many everyday products. Whether you're applying tile adhesive, using a moisturizer, or taking medication, HPMC plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of these products.
Understanding HPMC and its applications allows consumers and professionals alike to appreciate the significance of this compound in our daily lives. If you have any further questions about HPMC or its uses, feel free to ask!
1. Solubility Temperature：
Put HPMC powder into hot water, which is generally around 70℃ to 80 ℃. When this aqueous solution’s own heat gradually cools down, with constant stirring, the aqueous solution will have a little viscosity, then you can stop stirring. Because when the aqueous solution is with viscosity, HPMC can be evenly suspended in water, and will not sink. The temperature of the aqueous solution at this moment is called the solution temperature in the chemical sense.
2. Gelation Temperature
When HPMC is dissolved into water, it will become a colorless and transparent aqueous solution. Continuously heat the colorless and transparent aqueous solution up, until it turns to opaque opalescent colloid. At this point, the temperature is the gel temperature. It can also be simply to be understood as the lost efficacy temperature of cellulose. HPMC in the colorless transparent colloid plays the role of increasing water retention and other properties. Thus if it becomes a non-transparent, like milky liquid, HPMC will lose its effectiveness at this moment.
As to our GMK200Z model, its gel temperature is from 70℃ to 75℃. And its dissolution temperature is generally around 55℃ to 57 ℃, occasionally 50℃, or at other temperatures. As long as the dissolution temperature is not too low, it will not affect the formation of the aqueous solution of HPMC and the HPMC’s performance in the mortar. Therefore, the dissolution temperature is not a necessary indicator in China's national standards.
Generally, when the temperature of the aqueous solution is reduced to 55℃-57℃, the stirring can be stopped. Because at this moment the aqueous solution has a little viscosity, it can make HPMC suspend without sinking to the bottom.
However, the dissolution temperature of some products is relatively low, possibly 50 ° C. If the temperature of the aqueous solution is reduced to temperature 55℃-57℃ and the stirring is stopped, then at that moment, the aqueous solution has no viscosity, and the HPMC will not be suspended and thus will sink to the bottom.
To solve this problem you can continue stirring until the temperature drops to 50 ° C. Moreover, the water temperature on the site generally does not exceed 40 ° C, that is, it will be less than the dissolution temperature, then HPMC will become a colloid and function as it is supposed to be.
It is recommended to use a lower viscosity in winter, which is more conducive to construction. Otherwise, when the temperature is low, the viscosity of cellulose will increase, and when scraping, the feel will be heavy.
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) is a non-ionic cellulose prepared from natural polymer materials through a series of chemical processes. It contains almost all the properties of methyl cellulose (MC) and is your first choice for producing quality building material additives. To meet the needs of environmental protection, our product has high water retention, dispersibility, good fineness, good processability and easy handling. Dissolving properties. It is suitable for dry mortar construction, internal and external wall putty powder emulsion (paste), adhesive, caulking agent, interface agent, coating, self-leveling agent for new building materials.
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