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Hydroxyethyl Methylcellulose (HEMC)

Hydroxyethyl Methylcellulose (HEMC) offers excellent thickening efficiency, color development, open time, and superior resistance to biological degradation. It is widely used in water-based latex paints, construction and building materials, printing inks, and oil drilling.

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Product Advantages

01
Superior Water Retention

Prevents moisture from being absorbed too quickly into the substrate, keeping more water within the raw materials.

02
Proper Open Time

Maintains surface moisture for a certain period, ensuring the workability of the liquid and smooth application.

03
Good Suspension Effect

Provides a suspension function without altering the liquid’s consistency.

Uses of HEMC

Hydroxyethyl Methylcellulose, also known as methyl cellulose, is an organic compound used in a variety of industrial applications. Its most important uses include the production of adhesives, cosmetics, paper and textiles, pharmaceuticals, paints, and more.

Thickening Agent

HEMC is used as a thickener in cosmetics like shampoos and conditioners, forming a thin film on hair strands that makes hair look smooth and shiny. It protects hair from water damage without accumulating, even after repeated use.

Binder

HEMC serves as an excellent binder when mixed with water, forming a gel. It is commonly used in the production of tablets and capsules, binding different tablet ingredients into a form that is easy to swallow.

Medical Applications

HEMC has been used for decades in medical products as an excipient (binding all components together). It also coats tablets to help control the release of active ingredients into the body.

Dispersing Agent

When mixed with other chemicals, HEMC acts as a dispersant, forming a gel while keeping ingredients suspended. It is used in products like laundry detergents, whipped cream, toothpaste, and pharmaceuticals like cough syrups or eye drops.

Concrete Mixtures

HEMC is often used in concrete mixtures for its smoothness and strength. It helps coat the inner surfaces of concrete pipes for uniform thickness, reducing wear over time and enhancing resistance to cracking when exposed to water, heat, or harsh conditions.

Paper

Due to its low toxicity and ability to improve paper performance while reducing production costs, HEMC is widely recognized in the paper industry. It serves as a dry strength agent in paper production, increasing tensile strength without adding weight, and acts as a pigment binder and water retention agent.

Soil Stabilizer

HEMC is used as a soil stabilizer, improving crop yields in marginal lands and areas with irrigation challenges. It can be mixed with water and applied to soil to enhance water retention during dry periods. When added to fertilizer formulations, it helps plants retain nutrients longer.

Humectant and Surfactant

HEMC is also used as a humectant and surfactant in cosmetics, baby lotions, shampoos, and bath oils. Surfactants reduce surface tension, allowing liquids to spread over surfaces. HEMC can serve as an emulsifier, keeping water-based and oil-based components mixed in cosmetics.

Paints and Coatings

HEMC is used as a thickening agent in paints and coatings, preventing drips and sags during drying. It provides additional adhesion for colors, making it suitable for building construction. HEMC also helps decorative coatings adhere to walls and surfaces without cracking or peeling and provides waterproofing.

Herbicides

Some farmers use HEMC as a herbicide. When mixed with water and applied to plants, it can inhibit growth or kill certain plants. Its gel-like nature helps the herbicide remain in place, reducing the risk of being washed away or blown away by wind.

Food Production

HEMC is often used as an ingredient in commercial ice cream production due to its stability. It can replace gelatin and plant gums like guar gum and gum arabic. This compound is also added to baked goods, salad dressings, and sauces to prevent sugar crystallization and extend shelf life.

Cement

HEMC enhances cement's efficiency by extending water retention and hydration. This reduces the amount of water needed in construction projects, ultimately lowering costs. It improves the structural performance of concrete mixtures, including flexural strength, compressive strength, and tensile strength. HEMC offers good thixotropy and easy mixing, improving mortar pumpability. It also enhances anti-sag properties and high water retention, extending working time and helping achieve high mechanical strength during curing.

Oil Drilling

HEMC is used in oil drilling operations to thicken fluids used during exploration. This ensures that liquids can be pumped through pipes without dripping or spilling.

Cosmetics

HEMC is found in many cosmetic products, including hair sprays, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, and soaps. It is used to increase viscosity and make these products easier to apply.

Gypsum Plaster and Plaster Products

HEMC is used as a binder with thixotropic and retarding properties to improve workability and extend work time. Its water retention prevents cracking due to rapid drying after application, while increasing strength after hardening.

Mortar

HEMC improves the adhesion of masonry mortar to surfaces and enhances water retention, increasing mortar strength. It improves lubrication and plasticity, enhancing construction performance.

Board Jointing

HEMC provides excellent water retention, lubrication, high shrinkage, and crack resistance, giving materials a smooth and even texture and enhancing adhesion at joint surfaces.

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