Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose
$ 1.00
Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose , is a water-soluble anionic cellulose ether derived from natural cellulose. It appears as a white to off-white, odorless, tasteless powder or granule. Known for its excellent thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, and water-retention properties, CMC is widely used in food, pharmaceutical, personal care, industrial, and detergent applications. It functions by modifying the rheological properties of solutions and suspensions, offering control over viscosity and flow. Its biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and biodegradability make it suitable for both human use and environmentally friendly formulations.
Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Primary Uses
- Food Industry (as Food Grade CMC)
- Used as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in products like ice cream, yogurt, jelly, bakery fillings, sauces, and beverages.
- Prevents ice crystal formation in frozen desserts and improves mouthfeel.
- Acts as a fat replacer in low-fat and calorie-reduced foods.
- Provides suspension stability in flavored milk and juice drinks.
- Designated as E466 in the EU as a permitted food additive.
- Pharmaceuticals
- Used as a binder, disintegrant, and stabilizer in tablets and capsules.
- Acts as a thickener in oral suspensions, syrups, creams, and gels.
- Improves mucoadhesion in oral and topical formulations for prolonged contact.
- Used in wound care products as a moisture-retentive agent.
- Personal Care & Cosmetics
- Functions as a viscosity modifier and stabilizer in lotions, creams, toothpaste, shampoos, and hair gels.
- Provides film-forming and conditioning effects in skin and hair care formulations.
- Offers stabilization for emulsions and suspensions in cosmetics.
- Detergents & Household Products (Detergent Grade CMC)
- Prevents soil redeposition on fabrics during washing.
- Enhances suspension stability in liquid detergents and cleaners.
- Improves viscosity and texture in cleaning pastes and gels.
- Industrial Applications
- Used in paper manufacturing as a surface sizing agent to improve printability and strength.
- In textile printing, it acts as a thickener for dye pastes.
- Serves as a binder and film former in ceramics, adhesives, and coatings.
- Used in paint and coatings for viscosity control and dispersion stability.
Secondary Uses
- Oil & Gas Industry
- Used in drilling fluids as a viscosity modifier and fluid loss reducer.
- Improves the stability of drilling muds under varying temperature and pressure conditions.
- Construction
- Acts as a water-retaining agent and binder in cement, mortar, and plaster formulations.
- Enhances workability, reduces cracking, and improves adhesion.
- Agriculture
- Used in pesticide formulations for improved suspension and application.
- Acts as a soil conditioner to enhance water retention in dry soils.
- Printing Inks
- Improves flow properties and suspension stability in water-based inks.
- Biomedical Research
- Used in hydrogels and tissue engineering for drug delivery systems and scaffolding due to its biocompatibility and gel-forming ability.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
- Common/Trade Name: CMC Sodium
- CAS Number: 9004-32-4
- HS Code: 3912.31.00
- Molecular Formula: Variable (C₆H₇O₂(OH)₂CH₂COONa)n
- Synonyms:
- Sodium CMC
- Carboxymethylcellulose sodium
- Cellulose gum
- E466 (food grade)
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Powder or granules
- Color & Odor: White to off-white; odorless and tasteless
- Solubility: Freely soluble in cold or hot water; insoluble in most organic solvents
- pH (1% solution): 6.0–8.5
- Viscosity: Ranges from 10 to 10,000 cps depending on grade and concentration
- Moisture Content: Typically ≤10%
- Stability: Stable under normal conditions; hygroscopic
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- Hazard Class (GHS): Not classified as hazardous
- NFPA Ratings:
- Health: 0
- Flammability: 1
- Reactivity: 0
- Exposure Limits: Not established; considered safe under normal use
- Toxicity: Non-toxic, non-sensitizing, and non-irritant in typical use concentration
- Reactivity: Inert under normal conditions
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry area in tightly closed containers
- Container Type: Paper or plastic bags with moisture-proof lining or drums
- Shelf Life: Up to 2 years when stored properly
- Special Handling: Avoid contact with moisture; use dust protection during handling
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- FDA Status: GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) under 21 CFR §182.1745 (for food use)
- EU Food Additive Code: E466
- REACH Status: Registered
- Transportation: Not regulated as hazardous material
- Waste Disposal: Biodegradable; dispose in accordance with local regulations
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Ecotoxicity: Low environmental risk; safe for aquatic and terrestrial environments
- Persistence: Biodegradable
- Bioaccumulation: Not expected
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions
Safety Handling Precautions
PPE:
- Dust mask
- Safety goggles
- Gloves if prolonged handling is expected
Handling Measures:
- Avoid dust generation
- Ensure adequate ventilation
- Do not mix with strong oxidizers
Storage Measures:
- Keep container tightly sealed
- Avoid humidity and direct contact with moisture
- Use FIFO inventory method
Hygiene Practices:
- Wash hands after handling
- Avoid eating or drinking while handling
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air; rinse mouth; seek medical help if irritation occurs
- Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; seek attention if irritation persists
- Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical advice if needed
- Ingestion: Non-toxic in small amounts; rinse mouth and drink water; seek help if large quantity is ingested
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Combustible at high temperatures
- Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, CO₂, or dry chemical
- Special Precautions: Firefighters should wear protective equipment and breathing apparatus
- Decomposition Products: May emit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide when burned
Related products
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees of the genus Apis. It is secreted by worker bees from specialized glands and used to build honeycomb cells. Beeswax is a complex mixture of esters, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons, characterized by a pale yellow to brown color, a pleasant honey-like aroma, and a firm yet pliable texture. It has excellent emulsifying, binding, and protective properties, making it widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial applications. Beeswax is prized for its natural origin, biodegradability, and skin-friendly characteristics.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Detergent Grade
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Detergent Grade is a water-soluble cellulose derivative produced by the etherification of cellulose with monochloroacetic acid. It is a fine, white to off-white powder with excellent thickening, stabilizing, and water retention properties. The detergent grade of CMC is specifically tailored to meet the requirements of laundry and cleaning formulations, offering superior dispersing and anti-redeposition performance. It is biodegradable, non-toxic, and widely used as a functional additive to enhance cleaning efficiency and fabric care in detergent products. Its excellent compatibility with surfactants and enzymes makes it an essential ingredient in both powder and liquid detergents.
Carnauba Wax
Carnauba Wax is a natural vegetable wax obtained from the leaves of the Copernicia prunifera palm tree, native to northeastern Brazil. It appears as a hard, brittle, yellow to brownish-yellow wax with a faint, characteristic odor. Known as the “queen of waxes,” Carnauba Wax is prized for its exceptionally high melting point, glossy finish, and excellent hardness. It is a premium wax widely used in cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and industrial applications as a natural, biodegradable alternative to synthetic waxes. Its film-forming, emulsifying, and protective properties make it highly versatile for use in coatings, polishes, and skincare products.
Cellulose Ether
Cellulose ether refers to a group of chemically modified cellulose derivatives where hydroxyl groups on the cellulose backbone are substituted with ether groups such as methyl, hydroxyethyl, or carboxymethyl groups. These modifications improve solubility, viscosity, and film-forming properties while maintaining biodegradability and non-toxicity. Cellulose ethers are white to off-white powders or granules that dissolve in water to form viscous, stable solutions. They are widely used as thickeners, binders, stabilizers, and film formers in industries such as construction, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and paper.
Ceto Stearyl Alcohol
Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA is a high-quality fatty alcohol blend primarily composed of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohols. It appears as a white, waxy solid or flakes with a mild fatty odor. This blend is widely used as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations. Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA offers excellent lubricity, thickening, and stabilizing properties, enhancing the texture, consistency, and moisturizing characteristics of creams, lotions, and hair care products. It serves as a skin conditioning agent and contributes to the structural integrity of emulsions.
Desgel HG (Carbomer)
Desgel HG is a high-purity Carbomer-based thickening agent, widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care formulations. It is a cross-linked polyacrylic acid polymer, neutralized to form high-viscosity gels with excellent clarity and stability. Desgel HG is prized for its thickening, suspending, emulsifying, and stabilizing capabilities, especially in aqueous and hydroalcoholic systems. It is highly efficient at low concentrations and compatible with a wide pH range (when neutralized). This makes it ideal for use in gels, creams, lotions, hand sanitizers, topical formulations, and other semi-solid systems.
Methyl Cellulose 400mpc
Methyl Cellulose 400mpc is a chemically modified cellulose derivative in powder form. It is a non-ionic, water-soluble polymer widely used as a thickener, binder, emulsifier, and film former. It exhibits excellent water retention, viscosity control, and thermal gelation properties, making it ideal for applications in construction, pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics.
Pectin HM
Pectin HM (High Methoxyl) is a natural polysaccharide extracted primarily from citrus peels and apple pomace. It is widely used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener in the food industry. Pectin HM requires high sugar content and acidic conditions to form a gel, making it ideal for jams, jellies, and confectionery products. It also finds applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics for its film-forming and stabilizing properties.

Preservatives(food)
Flavor Enhancers
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
Biochemical Reagents
Inorganic and Organic Standards
Laboratory Safety Chemicals
Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
Demulsifiers
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Scale Inhibitors(oil)
Surfactants(oil)
Drilling Fluids
Dyes and Pigments
Bleaching Agents
Softening Agents
Finishing Agents
Antistatic Agents
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
Fragrances
Electronic Chemicals
Catalysts
Lubricants
Photographic Chemicals
Refrigerants
Automotive chemicals
Pyrotechnic Chemicals
Biodegradable Surfactants
Bio-based Solvents
Renewable Polymers
Carbon Capture Chemicals
Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Pigments
Solvents(paint)
Specialty Coatings
Binders/Resins
Additives
Driers
Anti-Corrosion Agents
Functional Coatings
Application-Specific Coatings
Leavening Agents
Dough Conditioners
Flour Treatments
Fat Replacers
Decoratives
Preservatives(baking)
Plasticizers & Softeners
Reinforcing Agents
Adhesion Promoters
Vulcanizing Agents
Antidegradants
Blowing Agents
Fillers & Extenders
Accelerators & Retarders