Hydroxyethyl Cellulose — HEC / CAS 9004-62-0

Description

1. Product Overview

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a non-ionic, water-soluble cellulose ether derived from natural cellulose and modified through hydroxyethyl substitution to deliver excellent thickening, stabilizing, and rheology control properties. It is widely used across coatings, construction materials, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and industrial formulations where consistent viscosity and performance are required. HEC provides superior water retention, film formation, and compatibility with various formulation systems, making it a critical functional additive in modern manufacturing. Its broad application range and environmentally favorable cellulose-based origin position it as a strategically important ingredient for global industrial supply chains.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical Composition: Hydroxyethyl ether of cellulose; non-ionic cellulose polymer derived from purified natural cellulose.
• CAS Number: 9004-62-0.
• Grade Options: Industrial grade, paint & coating grade, construction grade, detergent grade, personal care grade, and pharmaceutical grade.
• Purity Level: Typically ≥95% active polymer content (varies by grade and application requirements).
• Physical Form: Free-flowing white to off-white powder.
• Solubility: Easily dispersible and soluble in cold or hot water, forming clear to slightly opalescent viscous solutions.
• Viscosity Range: Available in multiple viscosity grades to meet specific formulation and processing requirements.
• Particle Size: Controlled fine powder with optimized dispersion characteristics.
• Moisture Content: Typically controlled to ensure stability and consistent performance.
• pH Stability: Performs effectively across a broad pH range.
• Packaging Options: 20 kg or 25 kg multi-wall paper bags with polyethylene inner lining; customized bulk packaging available.
• Shelf Life: Typically 24 months when stored in a cool, dry environment away from moisture and direct sunlight.

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Paints & Coatings Industry: Used as a rheology modifier, thickener, and stabilizer to improve viscosity control, brushability, sag resistance, and coating consistency.
• Construction Materials: Applied in tile adhesives, cement mortars, gypsum products, and dry-mix formulations to enhance water retention, workability, adhesion, and open time.
• Personal Care & Cosmetics: Functions as a thickening and stabilizing agent in shampoos, lotions, creams, gels, and other water-based formulations.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as a binder, viscosity enhancer, and controlled-release support material in various pharmaceutical formulations.
• Detergents & Household Products: Improves texture, stability, and performance in liquid cleaning formulations.
• Oilfield & Industrial Applications: Used for viscosity control and fluid stabilization in specialized industrial processes.

HEC performs better than many conventional thickeners due to its excellent water solubility, compatibility with salts and surfactants, superior stability, and ability to maintain consistent viscosity under demanding processing conditions. Its multifunctional performance helps manufacturers improve product quality while reducing formulation complexity and operational costs.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Consistent Quality Performance: Manufactured under controlled processes to deliver reliable viscosity, purity, and batch-to-batch consistency.
• Reliable Global Supply: Supported by scalable production capacity and established supply networks for continuous industrial demand.
• Flexible Logistics Capability: Available in standard export packaging with container-load solutions suitable for international distribution.
• Cost Efficiency: Provides high-performance thickening and stabilization at optimized usage levels, improving overall formulation economics.
• Sustainability Benefits: Derived from renewable cellulose resources and supports the development of environmentally responsible formulations.
• Technical Support & Documentation: Available with technical data sheets (TDS), safety data sheets (SDS), quality certificates, and application guidance for industrial users.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT
• Loading Capacity: Approximately 20–22 MT per 20-foot container (depending on packaging configuration and shipping requirements)