Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC)

Goodcel Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC)  is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose ether refined from natural cotton or wood pulp. It appears as white, odorless free-flowing fine powder, fully dispersible and soluble in cold water to form transparent viscous aqueous solutions, while insoluble in hot water. It exhibits reversible thermal gelation, outstanding pseudoplastic rheology, and integrated functions of water retention, thickening, anti-sagging, film-forming, emulsification and suspension stabilization, serving as a multi-functional additive widely applied in construction, coatings, daily chemicals, pharmaceuticals and oilfield industries.

Related Product & Application

 
 

Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC)

Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC)  is a nonionic water-soluble cellulose ether refined from natural cotton or wood pulp. It appears as white, odorless free-flowing fine powder, fully dispersible and soluble in cold water to form transparent viscous aqueous solutions, while insoluble in hot water. It exhibits reversible thermal gelation, outstanding pseudoplastic rheology, and integrated functions of water retention, thickening, anti-sagging, film-forming, emulsification and suspension stabilization, serving as a multi-functional additive widely applied in construction, coatings, daily chemicals, pharmaceuticals and oilfield industries.

 

🌱 Core Advantages

  • Superior water retention capacity: It locks free moisture inside cement/gypsum matrix, prevents rapid water evaporation. Sufficient hydration of cement is guaranteed, avoiding cracking, powdering, hollowing and insufficient bonding strength on walls, plaster and tile adhesives.
  • Adjustable thickening & excellent rheological control: Wide viscosity range from low to ultra-high grade. It boosts mixture consistency, delivers anti-sagging, anti-slip performance for vertical construction; improves pump-ability, brushing smoothness and leveling of paints and putty.
  • Wide pH stability & chemical compatibility: Nonionic structure keeps stable under pH 3–11, compatible with anionic/cationic additives, cement, pigments, surfactants and most polymer raw materials without flocculation failure.
  • Auxiliary lubricating & air-entraining effects: Extends open time of mortar, enhance workability, improves surface smoothness of plaster and putty.
  • Safe, eco-friendly & biodegradable: Derived from natural cellulose, non-toxic, non-irritating, fully biodegradable. Approved as food additive E464 and pharmaceutical excipient, suitable for vegetarian and food-contact scenarios.
  • Outstanding film-forming property: Forms flexible, transparent, oil-resistant and uniform thin films after water evaporation, with good tensile strength. Widely used for tablet coating, edible food coating and protective film of water-based coatings.

 

🧱 Key Applications

  •  Construction Industry

Indispensable additive for all dry-mix cementitious mortars, used via internal mixing:

Tile adhesive, wall putty, exterior thermal insulation mortar, self-leveling cement, waterproof mortar, repair mortar and gypsum plaster etc.

  •  Water-based Coating and Printing Inks

As thickener, suspending stabilizer and film-forming agent for latex paint, architectural waterproof coatings, printing inks; prevents pigment sedimentation and optimizes brushing texture.

  • Home-care & personal care

Toothpaste: thickener and binder to keep uniform paste texture;

Creams, lotions, shampoo, styling gel: moisturizing, emulsifying stabilizer to improve spreadability and skin smoothness.

  • Food Industry (E464 approved additive)

As thickener, emulsifier, foam stabilizer and fat substitute in baked goods, sauces, ice cream, beverages and low-fat foods;

Edible transparent coating for fruits, candies to lock moisture and prevent oxidation.

  • Pharmaceutical Industry

Safe pharmaceutical excipient:

Plant-based hard capsule shells (gelatin-free for vegetarians);

Film-coating agent, tablet binder, sustained-release matrix for controlled-release drugs;

Thickener and stabilizer for oral syrups and eye drops.

  • Other Application Fields

As PVC dispersant , ceramic body lubricant, textile printing thickener, paper surface sizing agent.

 

Available Grade

HEMC None Modified Grade:

Grade

Viscosity Range
(Brookfield RV 2% Dry,20°C)  (mPa.s)

Water

Ash

Speciality

Application

Technical Data Sheet

GEM 04EO

3000-5,000

≤6%

≤5%

low viscosity

Cement based SLF, Gypsum based SLF

Download TDS  

GEM 10EO

8,000-12,000

≤6%

≤5%

low viscosity

Cement based SLF, Gypsum based SLF

Download TDS  

GEM 15EO

12,000-15,000

≤6%

≤5%

low viscosity

Cement based SLF, Gypsum based SLF

Download TDS  

GEM 20EO

18,000-25,000

≤6%

≤5%

low viscosity

CTG, CTA C2

Download TDS  

GEM 30EO

25,000-35,000

≤6%

≤5%

Medium Viscosity

CTG, CTA, EIFS Base Coat, Skimcoat, Wallputty, Repair Mortar

Download TDS  

GEM 40EO

35,000-42,000

≤6%

≤5%

Medium Viscosity

CTA C1, EIFS Adhesives, Plasters

Download TDS  

GEM 50EO

45,000-55,000

≤6%

≤5%

High Viscosity

CTA C1, EIFS Adhesives, Plasters

Download TDS  

GEM 60EO

55,000-65,000

≤6%

≤5%

Very high viscosity

Plasters, cement extrusion

Download TDS  

GEM 75EO

> 75,000

≤6%

≤5%

Very high viscosity

Plasters, cement extrusion

Download TDS  

GEM 04E

3000-5,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives

Download TDS  

GEM 10E

8,000-12,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives, CTA C2

Download TDS  

GEM 15E

12,000-15,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives, CTA, Skimcoat

Download TDS  

GEM 20E

18,000-25,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives, CTA, Skimcoat

Download TDS  

GEM 30E

25,000-35,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives, CTA, Skimcoat

Download TDS  

GEM 40E

35,000-42,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives, CTA, Skimcoat

Download TDS  

GEM 50E

45,000-55,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives, Cement Plasters

Download TDS  

GEM 60E

55,000-65,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives, Cement Plasters

Download TDS  

GEM 75E

> 75,000

≤6%

≤5%

delayed Swelling

Adhesives, Cement Plasters

Download TDS  

 

HEMC Modified Grade:

Grade

Viscosity Range
(Brookfield RV 2% Dry,20°C)  (mPa.s)

Water

Ash

Speciality

Application

Technical Data Sheet

GEM 400M

300~600

≤6%

 

high fluidity, no water bleeding

SLF

Download TDS  

GEM 0215

12,000-18,000

≤6%

 

Anti-slip, high strength

CTA

Download TDS  

GEM 0430

25,000-35,000

≤6%

 

long open time,good workability

CTA

Download TDS  

GEM0545C

40,000-50,000

≤6%

 

long open time,good workability

CTA

Download TDS  

GEM7340

35,000-45,000

≤6%

 

high strength

Gypsum joint filler

Download TDS  

GEM7350

45,000-55,000

≤6%

 

Anti-sag, good workability

Gypsum plaster

Download TDS  

GEM8045

40,000-50,000

≤6%

 

good workability, long open time

Skim coat, Wallputty

Download TDS  

 

 

Please contact us for more details