Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a water-soluble cellulose derivative widely used in many industrial and daily life fields. CMC is prepared by reacting some hydroxyl (-OH) groups on cellulose molecules with chloroacetic acid to introduce carboxymethyl (-CH2COOH) groups. Its structure contains hydrophilic carboxyl groups, which make it have excellent water solubility and good adhesion and stability, so it has important uses in many industries.
1. Food industry
In the food industry, KimaCell®CMC is widely used as a thickener, emulsifier, stabilizer and suspending agent. It can increase the viscosity of food, improve the taste, and has good hydration. Common applications include:
Beverages and juices: as a suspending agent and stabilizer, it prevents the pulp in the juice from precipitating and improves the texture of the product.
Ice cream: used as a thickener to increase the consistency of ice cream, and helps prevent the formation of ice crystals to maintain the delicate taste of ice cream.
Baked goods: increase the viscoelasticity of the dough, improve the toughness of the product, and prevent the finished product from being too hard.
Candy and pastry: As a humectant, it keeps candy and pastry moist and tastes good.
Condiments and sauces: As a thickener, it provides better texture and increases product stability.
2. Pharmaceuticals and biological preparations
CMC is also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the preparation and delivery of drugs:
Drug preparations: CMC is often used to prepare solid or liquid preparations such as tablets, capsules, and syrups as a binder and thickener. It helps control the release of drugs and provides a sustained-release effect.
Sustained-release drug carrier: By combining with drug molecules, CMC can control the release rate of drugs, prolong the duration of drug action, and reduce the number of medications.
Oral liquids and suspensions: CMC can improve the stability and taste of oral liquids, maintain uniform distribution of drugs in suspensions, and avoid precipitation.
Medical dressings: CMC can also be used to prepare wound dressings because of its hygroscopic, antibacterial and wound healing properties.
Ophthalmic preparations: In eye drops and eye ointments, CMC is used as a viscosity regulator to prolong the drug's residence time in the eye and increase the therapeutic effect.
3. Cosmetics and personal care
CMC is also increasingly used in cosmetics and personal care products, mainly to improve the texture and stability of the product:
Skin care products: As a thickener and moisturizer, CMC can improve the texture of creams, lotions and facial cleansers, making the products smoother and improving the use experience.
Shampoo and shower gel: In these products, CMC can increase the stability of foam and make the washing process smoother.
Toothpaste: CMC is used as a thickener in toothpaste to adjust the viscosity of toothpaste and provide a suitable feel.
Makeup: In some foundation liquids, eye shadows, lipsticks and other products, CMC helps to improve the stability and ductility of the formula and ensure the lasting effect of the product.
4. Paper and Textile Industry
CMC is also widely used in the paper and textile industries:
Paper coating: CMC is used as a coating additive in paper production to increase the strength, smoothness and printing quality of paper and improve the surface properties of paper.
Textile processing: In the textile industry, CMC is used as a slurry for textiles, which can improve the feel of textiles, make the fabrics softer and smoother, and provide a certain degree of water resistance.
5. Oil drilling and mining
CMC also has special applications in oil drilling and mining:
Drilling fluid: In oil drilling, CMC is used in drilling fluid to control the viscosity of the mud, ensure the smooth progress of the drilling process, and improve drilling efficiency.
Mineral processing: CMC is used as a flotation agent for ores to help separate valuable components in the ore and improve the recovery rate of the ore.
6. Cleaners and other daily chemicals
CMC is also used in daily chemicals such as detergents and washing products:
Detergents: KimaCell®CMC as a thickener can improve the stability and cleaning effect of detergents and prevent the product from stratification or precipitation during storage.
Washing powder: CMC can improve the wettability of washing powder, making it more soluble in water and improving the washing effect.
7. Environmental protection
Due to its excellent adsorption, CMC can also be used in the field of environmental protection, especially in water treatment:
Water treatment: CMC can be used as a flocculant or precipitant to promote the sedimentation of sludge during sewage treatment and help remove harmful substances in water.
Soil improvement: CMC can be used as a soil conditioner in agriculture to improve soil water retention and fertilizer utilization.
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a multifunctional chemical material with important applications in many fields such as food, medicine, cosmetics, paper, textiles, oil drilling, cleaning products, and environmental protection. Its excellent water solubility, thickening and stability make it an indispensable additive in various industries. With the development of technology and the continuous exploration of new applications, the application field of CMC will continue to expand.
Post time: Feb-08-2025