Definition, Chemistry, and Industrial Role — a complete reference for formulators across construction, pharma, food, personal care, and industrial sectors.
HPMC is a water-soluble, non-ionic cellulose ether produced by chemically modifying natural cellulose derived from wood pulp or cotton linter. It delivers multiple functional benefits — water retention, thickening, film forming, binding, and workability improvement — within a single versatile ingredient.
HPMC is produced by reacting purified cellulose with methyl chloride and propylene oxide under controlled alkaline conditions. This process introduces two types of substituent groups onto the cellulose backbone, each influencing the final product's performance profile in different ways.
Control solubility, thermal gelation behavior, and surface activity of the cellulose ether.
Influence water retention capacity, viscosity development, and compatibility with other ingredients.
The combination and ratio of these two substituents — expressed as degree of methyl substitution (DS) and molar substitution of hydroxypropyl (MS) — determine the grade's performance profile. Viscosity, measured at 2% aqueous solution using Brookfield or Ubbelohde methods, is the most commonly referenced parameter for grade selection, ranging from below 100 mPa·s to above 200,000 mPa·s depending on the grade.
HPMC is non-ionic — compatible with a wide range of additives, surfactants, salts, and pH conditions. It is also biodegradable, odorless, tasteless, and free from animal-derived raw materials, making it suitable for regulated and sensitive applications from drymix mortar to pharmaceutical excipients and food systems.
The following table provides a general technical reference for Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose. Exact values vary by product grade, viscosity level, substitution type, particle size, surface treatment, and testing method. This information is intended as a formulation reference starting point, not a final product specification.
| Article | Référence typique |
|---|---|
| Nom du produit | Hydroxypropylméthylcellulose |
| Abréviation | HPMC |
| Numéro CAS | 9004-65-3 |
| Food Additive Code | E464 |
| Apparence | Poudre blanche à blanc cassé |
| Type ionique | Non ionique |
| Base moléculaire | Éther de cellulose (cellulose naturelle modifiée) |
| Source de matière première | Pulpe de bois ou coton linters |
| Solubilité | Soluble in cold water; insoluble in hot water above gelation temperature; forms viscous solution |
| Gélification thermique | cURL Too many subrequests by single Worker invocation. To configure this limit, refer to https://developers.cloudflare.com/workers/wrangler/configuration/#limits |
| Gamme de viscosité | Plusieurs grades : faible / moyenne / haute / très haute viscosité |
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| Fonctions clés | Thickening, water retention, film forming, binding, workability, stabilization |
| Application Systems | Drymix, liquid, semi-solid, pharmaceutical, food, industrial |
| Documents disponibles | TDS, SDS, COA, recommandations de produit disponibles sur demande |
Important: This table is a general reference only. For exact viscosity, pH, moisture content, ash content, particle size distribution, methoxyl content, hydroxypropoxyl content, and grade-specific values, please request the official TDS or COA from LANDERCOLL.
LANDERCOLL HPMC is available in multiple grade directions based on viscosity level, surface treatment, dissolution behavior, and target application. The information below is designed as a product selection reference. Final grade selection should always be confirmed through formulation testing and direct technical discussion with our team.
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Supports structural integrity in tablet manufacturing, green strength in ceramics, and cohesion in drymix mortar. Also helps maintain uniform suspension of pigments, fillers, mineral powders, and active ingredients in coatings, detergents, and pharmaceutical systems.
HPMC grade selection should always start from the application. A grade optimized for tile adhesive will not necessarily perform well in a detergent, personal care, or pharmaceutical system. The table below provides a structured reference for common application-to-grade matching.
| Application | Orientation recommandée par grade | Exigences principales de performance |
|---|---|---|
| Adhésif pour carrelage | High to extra-high viscosity | Water retention, open time, anti-slip, troweling feel |
| Mastic mural / Enduit de finition | Viscosité moyenne à élevée | Smooth scraping, water retention, surface finish |
| Enduit de ciment / plâtre | Viscosité moyenne à élevée | Workability, spreadability, water retention |
| Plâtre | Viscosité moyenne à élevée | Smooth application, water management, consistency |
| Composés autonivelants | Viscosité faible à moyenne | Flow control, stability, controlled water retention |
| Mortier ITE / ETICS | Haute viscosité | Open time, anti-sag, adhesion-related support |
| Mortier étanche | Viscosité moyenne à élevée | Workability, uniform coating, stable consistency |
| Mortier de maçonnerie | Viscosité moyenne à élevée | Water retention, workability, bond support |
| Mortier de réparation | Viscosité moyenne à élevée | Adhesion, workability, water retention |
| Détergent liquide | Viscosité moyenne | Texture, viscosity, storage stability |
| Soins personnels | Viscosité faible à moyenne | Smooth texture, viscosity control, stability |
| Pharmaceutical Applications | Suitable pharmaceutical grade | Film coating, binding, controlled release, excipient |
| Food Applications | Suitable food grade (E464) | Thickening, stabilization, texture control |
| Céramique | Viscosité moyenne à élevée | Binding, green strength, suspension |
| Revêtements à base d'eau | Viscosité faible à moyenne | Thickening, film formation, particle suspension |
| Industrial Adhesives | Viscosité moyenne à élevée | Binding, cohesion, process stability |
Grade direction is a starting reference. Final selection should be confirmed through laboratory testing under your specific formulation conditions, water quality, temperature range, and application method.
HPMC dosage depends on formulation design, raw material quality, target performance, ambient temperature, water quality, substrate type, and production process. The following ranges are general starting points for laboratory evaluation — not fixed usage standards.
For tile adhesive: 0.2%–0.5% is a widely referenced industry starting range. However, final dosage must be confirmed through laboratory testing and on-site performance evaluation, as substrate porosity, tile size, ambient temperature, and cement type all affect the optimal dosage.
| Application | Dosage de référence typique (% en poids) |
|---|---|
| Adhésif pour carrelage | 0,2% – 0,5% |
| Mastic mural / Enduit de finition | 0,2% – 0,5% |
| Enduit de ciment / plâtre | 0,15% – 0,4% |
| Plâtre | 0,1% – 0,3% |
| Mortier de maçonnerie | 0,1% – 0,3% |
| Composés autonivelants | 0,05% – 0,2% |
| Mortier ITE / ETICS | 0,2% – 0,5% |
| Mortier étanche | 0,15% – 0,4% |
| Mortier de réparation | 0,15% – 0,4% |
| Détergent liquide | 0.2% – 1.0% |
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| Food / Pharma / Specialty | Depends on grade, regulation, and formulation design |
These dosage ranges are general starting points. Adjust based on testing results under your specific formulation, raw materials, and application conditions.
Construction is the largest and most established application area for HPMC globally — a critical additive for water retention, workability, open time, and anti-sag performance.
In drymix mortar systems, HPMC functions simultaneously as a water-retaining agent, rheology modifier, and workability enhancer. Without HPMC, cement-based and gypsum-based mortars tend to lose water too quickly to the substrate, resulting in poor hydration, weak bond strength, surface cracking, and difficult application.
Water retention, open time extension, anti-slip behavior, and troweling feel. High to extra-high viscosity grades, 0.2%–0.5% dosage. Surface-treated grades commonly preferred.
Scraping smoothness, water retention, surface finish quality. Medium to high viscosity, 0.2%–0.5% dosage.
Controlled water retention without over-retarding set time. Smooth spreading, consistent texture, reduced surface defects. Medium to high viscosity grades.
Cement render, masonry mortar, self-leveling compounds, EIFS/ETICS, waterproof mortar, repair mortar, insulation mortar, joint fillers.
Entretien ménager et détergents
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Applications typiques
Soins personnels
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Applications typiques
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Applications typiques
Pharmaceutical applications require suitable grade selection, pharmacopoeial compliance, and relevant documentation. Contact LANDERCOLL to discuss pharmaceutical grade availability.
Discuss Pharma GradesHydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose is approved as a food additive under E464 in the European Union and is recognized in food regulations in many other markets. Suitable food-grade HPMC may be used as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, film former, and texture modifier.
Food applications require HPMC grades meeting relevant food safety standards including purity specifications, heavy metal limits, and microbiological requirements. Compliance with the specific food regulations of the target market is required.
Applications typiques
Food applications require suitable grade selection and compliance with applicable food regulations in the target market.
Discuss Food GradesHPMC can be used in selected water-based coatings and specialty industrial systems where thickening, film formation, binding, suspension control, and process stability are required. In architectural coatings, HEC is more commonly used as the primary cellulose ether thickener; however, HPMC can be suitable in specific coating formulations and industrial systems.
Key performance benefits include viscosity control and thickening, film formation and surface integrity, binding and cohesion in ceramic and industrial systems, suspension stability for pigments and fillers, and process consistency in extrusion and forming operations.
Selected architectural and decorative systems where HPMC's film-forming or thermal gelation properties offer a formulation advantage.
Decorative and texture coatings requiring stable viscosity, film formation, and consistent application behavior.
Binding, cohesion support, and process stability in adhesive and sealant formulations.
Green body forming, extrusion, pressing — binding, green strength, and suspension support before firing.
Viscosity control and rheology management in textile printing formulations.
Film formation, binding, and surface integrity in paper coating and sizing applications.
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Construction · Pharma · Food · Personal care · Detergents · IndustrialcURL Too many subrequests by single Worker invocation. To configure this limit, refer to https://developers.cloudflare.com/workers/wrangler/configuration/#limits
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Manufactured and tested to pharmacopoeial standards (USP/NF, Ph. Eur., JP). For pharmaceutical excipient applications where binding, coating, controlled release, or film performance may be required.
Compliant with applicable food additive regulations. Designed for food systems where texture control, water management, stabilization, and formulation consistency are required.
Designed for specialty industrial systems requiring thickening, binding, suspension stability, and process control across various non-food, non-pharma applications.
LANDERCOLL HPMC is supplied in industrial packaging suitable for transportation, storage, and production handling. Cellulose ether powders are hygroscopic — proper storage conditions help maintain powder flowability, dissolution performance, and application effectiveness throughout product shelf life.
Emballage Standard
Recommandations de stockage
LANDERCOLL peut fournir une documentation liée au produit pour soutenir l'évaluation de la formulation, la revue des achats, la communication technique, la soumission réglementaire et les processus d'approbation internes.
Documents disponibles
All documentation is provided to help customers complete their internal evaluation, purchasing approval, and regulatory review processes efficiently. Contact our team to request specific documents for your application or market requirements.
Demander des documents produitsTo help our team recommend the most suitable HPMC grade for your application, please include as much of the following information as possible when contacting us. A detailed inquiry allows us to provide a more accurate grade recommendation and support your evaluation more efficiently.
Product application (e.g., tile adhesive, wall putty, shampoo, tablet coating) and formulation system type (cement-based, gypsum-based, liquid, semi-solid, other).
Current HPMC grade or reference viscosity, if available. Main performance target — e.g., water retention, open time, viscosity level, texture, stability.
Testing method or standard used, if applicable. Required quantity — sample, trial, or commercial volume.
Destination country or target market. Documentation requirements (TDS, SDS, COA, food/pharma compliance documents). Timeline for evaluation or sourcing decision.
HPMC (CAS 9004-65-3) is used as a multifunctional cellulose ether additive across many industries. Its primary functions include water retention, thickening, workability improvement, film formation, binding, and formulation stabilization. Most widely used in drymix construction materials, and also in detergents, personal care, pharmaceutical excipients, food systems (E464), coatings, ceramics, and specialty industrial applications.
In tile adhesive, HPMC improves water retention to support cement hydration, extends open time to give installers more working time, provides anti-slip behavior to prevent tiles from sliding on vertical surfaces, and improves troweling feel and application consistency. High to extra-high viscosity grades are typically used, at dosages of 0.2%–0.5% of the dry mix weight.
Tile adhesive commonly uses high to extra-high viscosity HPMC, typically in the range of 50,000–200,000 mPa·s (measured at 2% aqueous solution). The exact viscosity grade depends on the formulation type, tile size and weight, required open time, anti-slip performance target, and application conditions. Final grade selection should be confirmed through formulation testing.
The typical reference dosage for HPMC in tile adhesive is 0.2%–0.5% by weight of the dry mix. This range is widely referenced in the drymix mortar industry as a starting point. However, the optimal dosage depends on the specific formulation, cement type, filler quality, target open time, water retention requirement, and application conditions. Final dosage must be confirmed through laboratory and field testing.
In wall putty and skim coat, HPMC improves water retention to prevent rapid drying, enhances scraping smoothness and surface finish quality, improves spreading behavior and workability, and helps maintain consistent product texture during application. Medium to high viscosity grades are typically used at dosages of 0.2%–0.5%.
HPMC uses hydroxypropyl groups while HEMC uses hydroxyethyl groups on the cellulose backbone, affecting water retention profile, dissolution behavior, and performance in specific applications. Both are used in tile adhesive, wall putty, and plaster. HPMC is more widely used across multiple industries including pharma, food, and personal care, while HEMC/MHEC is particularly established in European drymix construction markets.
Yes. Hypromellose is the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) and pharmacopoeial name for HPMC. It is used in pharmaceutical and food regulatory contexts. HPMC and Hypromellose refer to the same chemical substance (CAS 9004-65-3).
Yes. HPMC is approved as a food additive under the code E464 in the European Union and is recognized in food regulations in many other markets. Food applications require suitable food-grade HPMC that meets applicable purity and safety standards, and compliance with the specific food regulations of the target market is required.
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Notre objectif est de soutenir les clients depuis la première demande de produit jusqu'aux tests de formulation, aux décisions d'approvisionnement et à la coopération d'approvisionnement à long terme — avec une qualité de produit constante et une communication réactive.
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