Methyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose High quality competitive price

Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (MHEC), alternatively termed Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC), is a versatile non-ionic cellulose ether derived from natural polymers (CAS 9032-42-2). As industries increasingly prioritize sustainable materials, MHEC has emerged as a cornerstone additive across construction, pharmaceutical formulations, and personal care products. Recent market analyses indicate cellulose ether demand grew by 8.3% annually from 2018–2023, with MHEC accounting for 22% of sectoral usage (Grand View Research, 2023).

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1. Superior Water Retention
   MHEC reduces mortar water loss by 85–92%, extending curing periods to 48–72 hours in dry climates (TCNA Technical Bulletin, 2022). This capability directly translates to 15–20% fewer structural cracks in gypsum plaster applications.
2. Precision Viscosity Control
   With customizable viscosity ranging from 400 mPa·s (lightweight coatings) to 200,000 mPa·s (high-build adhesives), MHEC enables formulators to achieve exact rheological profiles. For instance, tile adhesives typically require 10,000–50,000 mPa·s for optimal sag resistance (Schmitz et al., 2021).
3. Environmental Compliance
   Certified biodegradable with ≤3% ash content, MHEC meets EU REACH Annex XVII standards for low-residue construction materials. Over 60% of European exterior insulation systems now incorporate MHEC-based formulations (European Coatings Journal, 2023).

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Construction & Building Materials

• Tile Adhesives: Enhances wet adhesion strength to ≥1.2 MPa (exceeding EN 12004 standards) while maintaining 45–90 minute open times.
• EIFS Coatings: Reduces sagging by 40% in vertical applications compared to conventional thickeners (BASF Field Study, 2021).

Coatings Industry
Water-based paints utilizing MHEC achieve 5,000–60,000 mPa·s viscosity with 30% lower splatter rates. A 2023 ACA study showed MHEC-formulated paints required 18% fewer recoats due to improved film formation.

Cosmetics & Pharma

• Haircare: Shampoos with 0.5–1.2% MHEC demonstrate 35% higher gloss retention after 10 washes (Croda Technical Paper, 2020).
• Tablet Binding: Improves drug dissolution rates by 18–22% in enteric coatings (USP <1059> Guidelines).

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Property	Specification
Appearance	White or light yellow powder
Methoxy Content (%)	18.0 – 24.0
Hydroxyethyl Content (%)	8.0 – 16.0
pH Value	5.0 – 8.5
Moisture Content (%)	≤ 8
Ash Content (%)	≤ 3
Mesh Size	100 mesh (98.5% pass), 80 mesh (100% pass)
Viscosity (2%, 20°C, mPa.s)	400 – 200,000

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Viscosity Grades and Applications of Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

HEMC is available in various grades, each with specific viscosity ranges and applications:

Grade	Viscosity (mPa.s, 2% solution)	Applications
ACTA10000	9000 – 15000	Render
ACTA20000	15000 – 25000	Tile adhesive, EIFS, plaster, joint filler, grout
ACTA30000	25000 – 40000	Tile adhesive, EIFS, gypsum finishing plaster
ACTA45000	40000 – 55000	Tile adhesive, waterproofing mortar
ACTA50000	50000 – 65000	Tile adhesive, EIFS
ACTA70000	65000 – 75000	Tile adhesive, concrete adhesive

Parameter	Specification	Test Method
Methoxyl Content	19.5–23.8%	Ph. Eur. 2.2.40
Hydroxyethyl Substitution	9.2–15.6%	ASTM D2364-21
Viscosity (2% solution)	420–198,000 mPa·s (±2% batch consistency)	Brookfield LV, 20 rpm

HEMC is available in various grades, each with specific viscosity ranges and applications:

Grade	Viscosity (mPa.s, 2% solution)	Applications
ACTA10000	9000 – 15000	Render
ACTA20000	15000 – 25000	Tile adhesive, EIFS, plaster, joint filler, grout
ACTA30000	25000 – 40000	Tile adhesive, EIFS, gypsum finishing plaster
ACTA45000	40000 – 55000	Tile adhesive, waterproofing mortar
ACTA50000	50000 – 65000	Tile adhesive, EIFS
ACTA70000	65000 – 75000	Tile adhesive, concrete adhesive

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I. Technical Features and R&D Advantages

1. Molecular Structure and Performance
   • Molecular Weight Distribution: MHEC undergoes Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) testing to ensure stable rheological performance across different applications.
   • Degree of Substitution (DS): Achieved through etherification, with a DS between 1.5 and 2.5, balancing hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity for enhanced thickening efficiency.
   • Solubility: Rapidly soluble in cold water, forming transparent viscous solutions, with a wide pH adaptability (3-11), suitable for complex formulations.
2. Patented Technology Support
   • The company holds 5 core patents covering MHEC modification processes, crosslinking control, and eco-friendly synthesis. Notably, the “Green Preparation Method for High-DS Hydroxyethyl Cellulose” has won a national invention award.
3. Environmental Certifications
   • Certified under ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, with production processes free of organic solvent residues, compliant with EU REACH regulations and China’s GB/T 39158-2020 environmental standards.

II. Application Scenarios and Solutions

1. Oil Drilling
   • Mechanism: As a thickener for water-based drilling fluids, MHEC forms a 3D network via molecular chain entanglement, enhancing viscosity and suspension capacity.
   • Performance Advantages: Resistant to temperatures up to 120°C and saturated salt conditions, MHEC offers 40% higher thermal stability and 35% lower filtration loss than traditional polyacrylamide (PAM).
   • Case Study: Applied in shale gas development by Shengli Oilfield, improving drilling efficiency by 22% and reducing costs by 18%.
2. Architectural Coatings
   • Function: Acts as a rheological modifier, providing excellent anti-sagging properties, storage stability, and workability.
   • Market Data: In Qingdao’s architectural coatings market, eco-friendly coatings using MHEC account for 35%, with user satisfaction 20% higher than traditional HPMC-based formulas.
3. Pharmaceutical Formulations
   • Applications: Used as a sustained-release agent and stabilizer, improving drug dispersion uniformity and prolonging action time.
   • Collaboration Case: Jointly developed oral sustained-release tablets with Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical, achieving zero-order release kinetics and a 60% increase in clinical bioavailability.

1. Production Capacity and Supply Chain
   • Capacity: Annual production of 5,000 tons of MHEC, utilizing automated continuous etherification processes, reducing energy consumption by 30% compared to batch methods.
   • Raw Material Security: Long-term supply agreements with local refined cotton enterprises, ensuring cellulose purity ≥99.5%.
2. Market Share and Customer Recognition
   • Domestic Market: Holds 22% market share in petroleum-grade MHEC, ranking top 3 nationally. Construction-grade products are supplied to Vanke, JinTangLong, etc.
   • International Certifications: SGS-certified, compliant with API 13A standards, exported to Middle East and North America, with annual growth exceeding 45%.
3. Economic Analysis
   • Cost Advantage: Large-scale production controls costs to 8,000-10,000 CNY/ton, 15% lower than industry averages.
   • Profit Margins: Gross margin around 32%, with high-end products (e.g., pharmaceutical-grade) reaching 45%.

IV. Collaboration Support and Service System

1. Technical Support
   • Offers customized formula design with a PhD-level technical team, response time ≤48 hours.
2. After-Sales Service
   • Establishes full-lifecycle management, including application training, on-site commissioning, and annual quality tracking.
3. Industry Honors
   • Recognized as a “Qingdao Specialized and New Enterprise” and “Shandong Engineering Research Center for Cellulose Derivatives.” MHEC products are listed in the “2025 Shandong Innovative Industrial Products Catalog.”

V. Future Development Trends

• Market Forecast: Driven by stricter environmental policies, the trend of MHEC replacing traditional chemical thickeners is accelerating, with domestic demand growth expected at 8%-10% in 2026.
• Technological Upgrades: The company is developing nano-MHEC microspheres targeting drug delivery, with lab-stage completion and potential mass production in 2026.

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• 11% annual growth in green building certifications
• 23% increase in waterborne coating demand (Mordor Intelligence, 2023)
• Pharmaceutical excipient market expansion to $1.2 billion (Research and Markets, 2024)

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1. Grand View Research. (2023). Cellulose Ether Market Size Report. Link
2. Tile Council of North America. (2022). Advanced Mortar Technologies. Link
3. European Coatings Journal. (2023). Rheology Modifiers in EIFS. Link
4. U.S. Pharmacopeia. (2023). <1059> Excipient Performance. Link
5. BASF. (2021). Field Performance of MHEC in EIFS. Link