Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose, HydroxyPropylMethyl Cellulose, Hypromellose, HPMC, 9004-65-3
HPMC – Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose:
CAS No: 9004-65-3
E Number (Food): E464

HPMC is a non-ionic, water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose. It is widely used in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, detergent, and construction industries. Its non-ionic nature ensures stability, water retention, and viscosity control.

Technical Specifications:

Applications and Functions:

Production Process (Summary):

1. Cellulose is treated with alkali to obtain alkali cellulose.

2. Reaction with methyl chloride and propylene oxide produces HPMC.

3. The product is purified, dried, and milled into powder form.

4. Quality control tests include substitution degree, viscosity, and purity.

Physical and Chemical Properties:

• Chemical Formula: Variable (cellulose derivative; not a fixed molecular formula).

• Density: ~1.26 g/cm³

• Decomposition Temperature: 225–230°C (no sharp melting point).

• Solubility: Soluble in cold water; insoluble in ethanol and most organic solvents.

Sectoral Suitability Table & Typical Usage Levels for HPMC

Notes:

• Construction: Low dosages are sufficient to improve workability and water retention in cementitious systems.

• Food: Regulatory limits apply (E464), typically below 1% depending on product category.

• Pharma: Usage varies widely; in controlled release tablets, HPMC can be a major excipient.

• Cosmetics: Concentration depends on desired viscosity and film-forming properties.

• Detergents:Used in small amounts to adjust rheology and foam stability.

Other English Names

• Hypromellose

• Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose

• Methocel (trade name)

• MHPC

• Cellulose ether HPMC

• Hydroxylpropylmethylcellulose

• (Hydroxypropyl) Methyl Cellulose

General Information

• Appearance: White or off-white powder

• Solubility: Soluble in water, forming clear or slightly hazy solutions

• Applications:

  • Pharmaceutical industry (tablet coating, binder, controlled release agent)

  • Food industry (thickener, stabilizer)

  • Construction (cement and mortar additive)

  • Cosmetics (gel and cream thickener)

Sectoral Suitability & Usage Levels

Key Insights

• HPMC & HEMC dominate construction: Both are indispensable in cement-based mortars and adhesives.

• HEC dominates paints & coatings: It is the primary thickener in latex paints, while HPMC/HEMC play secondary roles.

• Pharma & food rely on HPMC: Regulatory approvals and functional versatility make HPMC the standard.

• Cosmetics use all three: Choice depends on desired rheology and foam stability.

• HEC is unique in oilfield & paper: Its salt tolerance and film-forming ability make it suitable.

How HPMC is Used in Construction

• Mortars (cement-based):

  • Improves water retention, preventing early water loss.

  • Enhances workability and consistency.

  • Reduces cracking risk and ensures uniform curing.

• Tile Adhesives:

  • Increases slip resistance.

  • Extends open time, giving workers more flexibility.

  • Improves adhesion strength and flexibility.

• Plasters:

  • Provides better adhesion to substrates.

  • Controls flow and spreadability during application.

  • Balances drying time, resulting in a smooth surface finish.

Suitability and Benefits

• Compatibility: Works well with cement, gypsum, and lime-based systems.

• Advantages:

  • Excellent water retention, especially valuable in hot/dry climates.

  • Thickening effect ensures homogeneous mixtures.

  • Extends working time, reducing application errors.

Typical Dosage Levels

Note: Exact dosage depends on cement/gypsum type, aggregate properties, and project conditions. Formulation optimization is essential.

Key Considerations

• Overdosage → Excessive viscosity, reduced workability.

• Underdosage → Poor water retention, higher cracking risk.

• Cost factor → Higher performance but increased material cost; balance is crucial.

Suitability in Pharmaceuticals

• Safety & Compliance: Non-toxic, biocompatible, widely accepted in pharmacopeias (USP, EP, JP).

• Applications:

  • Tablet coating: Protects against moisture, oxygen, masks taste/odor, improves appearance.

  • Capsules: Used as a vegetarian/vegan alternative to gelatin in hard capsules.

  • Controlled release systems: Provides sustained or delayed drug release.

• Advantages: Stable, versatile, compatible with many active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Usage Forms

• Film coating solution:

  • Dissolved in water or hydro-alcoholic mixtures.

  • Sprayed onto tablets, followed by drying.

• Capsule shells:

  • 100% HPMC used to form hard capsule shells.

  • Resistant to humidity compared to gelatin.

• Matrix tablets:

  • Incorporated into the tablet core as binder or release modifier.

  • Different viscosity grades selected depending on desired release profile.

Typical Concentrations

Key Considerations

• Viscosity grades: HPMC is available in multiple viscosity grades (e.g., 5 cps, 15 cps, 50 cps, 100 cps). Choice depends on application:

  • Low viscosity (5–15 cps): Ideal for film coating.

  • Medium viscosity (50–100 cps): Suitable for sustained release matrices.

  • High viscosity (>4000 cps): Used for strong gel-forming controlled release systems.

• Documentation: Batch-specific COA and viscosity grade must be clearly stated for regulatory compliance.

• Regulatory acceptance: Approved as excipient in major pharmacopeias.

Suitability in Food

• Regulatory status: Approved as a food additive (E464) by Codex Alimentarius, EFSA, FDA, and Turkish Food Codex.

• Safety: Non-toxic, non-digestible, considered safe for human consumption.

• Functional roles:

  • Thickener (in sauces, dressings, dairy alternatives).

  • Stabilizer (in emulsions, foams, beverages).

  • Film former (used in edible coatings, bakery glazes).

  • Fat replacer (in low-fat formulations, improves mouthfeel).

  • Gluten replacement (in gluten-free bakery products, improves dough elasticity).

Usage Forms

• Powder form: Dispersed in cold or warm water to form a viscous solution.

• Solution/gel: Used directly in food formulations for texture modification.

• Edible coatings: Applied as thin films on fruits, confectionery, or bakery products to reduce moisture loss and improve shelf life.

Typical Concentrations

Key Considerations

• Hydration: HPMC must be dispersed gradually in water to avoid lumping; high-shear mixing is often used.

• Viscosity grades: Different grades (low, medium, high viscosity) are selected depending on desired texture.

• Thermal gelation: HPMC solutions gel upon heating and liquefy upon cooling — useful in bakery and processed foods.

• Stability: Resistant to enzymatic degradation, stable across pH ranges, and compatible with other hydrocolloids.

• Documentation: Food-grade COA must specify viscosity grade, purity, and compliance with E-number regulations.

Supported Information

• Codex Alimentarius & EFSA: Lists HPMC (E464) as permitted food additive with no specific ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) due to low toxicity.

• FDA (GRAS status): Recognized as safe for use in food.

• Turkish Food Codex: Included under stabilizers and thickeners, permitted in bakery, dairy alternatives, sauces, and coatings.

Overview of HPMC (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose) in cosmetics & personal care :

Suitability:

• Regulatory status: Approved for use in cosmetics and personal care; listed in INCI as Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose.

• Safety: Non-toxic, non-irritating, widely recognized as safe for topical and oral care applications.

• Functions:

  • Thickener / viscosity modifier (lotions, shampoos, toothpastes).

  • Stabilizer (emulsions, suspensions).

  • Film former (moisture barrier on skin, protective layer on hair).

  • Binder (keeps toothpaste particles together).

Usage Forms

• Lotions & creams:

  • Dissolved in the aqueous phase to provide viscosity and stability.

  • Leaves a soft film on skin, improving moisturization.

• Shampoos & hair care:

  • Enhances foam stability and flow properties.

  • Forms a thin film on hair, improving softness and shine.

• Toothpaste:

  • Acts as a binder for abrasives and other solids.

  • Prevents drying, ensures smooth texture.

Typical Concentrations

Key Considerations

• Dissolution: Add gradually to water under high shear mixing to avoid clumping.

• Viscosity grades:

  • Low viscosity (5–15 cps): best for shampoos and liquid products.

  • Medium viscosity (50–100 cps): suitable for lotions and creams.

  • High viscosity (>400 cps): ideal for toothpaste and gels.

• Stability: Stable across pH 3–11, compatible with ionic surfactants and other cosmetic ingredients.

• Documentation: Cosmetic-grade COA should specify viscosity grade, purity, and compliance.

Supported Information

• INCI listing: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose.

• FDA & EU Cosmetics Regulation: Approved for use in personal care products.

• Practical advantage: More stable than natural gums, resistant to microbial spoilage, consistent performance.

Overview of HPMC (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose) in Paints & Coatings (Latex Paints, Emulsions) :

Suitability

• Industrial acceptance: HPMC is widely used in water-based paints and coatings as a rheology modifier and stabilizer.

• Functions:

  • Thickener (controls viscosity).

  • Stabilizer (keeps pigments and fillers uniformly dispersed).

  • Water retention agent (improves film formation, reduces cracking).

  • Rheology control (optimizes flow and leveling for brush, roller, or spray applications).

Usage Forms

• Latex paints:

  • HPMC powder is slowly added to water under high-shear mixing to dissolve.

  • Incorporated into the paint formulation to adjust viscosity and application properties.

• Emulsion coatings:

  • Enhances stability, prevents pigment settling.

  • Provides smooth film formation and surface finish.

• Coating solutions:

  • Improves water retention, balances drying time, and reduces surface defects.

Typical Concentrations

Key Considerations

• Dissolution: Must be added gradually to water to avoid clumping.

• Viscosity grades:

  • Low viscosity (5–15 cps): suitable for spray applications.

  • Medium viscosity (50–100 cps): preferred for brush and roller paints.

  • High viscosity (>400 cps): used in thick film coatings.

• Compatibility: Works well with pigments, fillers, and binders.

• Documentation: Industrial-grade COA should specify viscosity grade, purity, and coating compatibility.

Supported Information

• Industrial standards: HPMC is one of the most common cellulose derivatives in water-based paints.

• Advantages: More stable than natural gums, resistant to microbial degradation.

• Performance: Improves application properties, flow, leveling, and film integrity.

HPMC (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose) – Applications in Oil Drilling Fluids & Textile/Paper Industry:

Suitability

• Oil drilling fluids:

  • Widely used as a viscosity modifier, fluid-loss reducer, and stabilizer.

  • Provides rheological control, improves suspension of solids, and reduces water loss into formations.

  • Compatible with both freshwater and brine-based drilling systems.

• Textile & paper industry:

  • Functions as a thickener, binder, film-former, and sizing agent.

  • Improves printability, surface smoothness, and mechanical strength.

  • Used in textile printing pastes, warp sizing, and paper coatings.

Usage Forms

• Oil drilling fluids:

  • Added as powder or pre-dissolved solution into the mud system.

  • Hydrates to form a viscous solution, controlling fluid rheology.

  • Reduces filtrate loss by forming a thin, impermeable filter cake on borehole walls.

• Textile printing & finishing:

  • Mixed into printing pastes to control viscosity and prevent bleeding of dyes.

  • Used in warp sizing to improve yarn strength and reduce breakage.

  • Applied in paper coatings to enhance smoothness, gloss, and ink absorption.

Typical Concentrations

Practical & Sensitive Points

• Hydration: Must be dispersed slowly in water under strong agitation to avoid lumping.

• Viscosity grades:

  • Low viscosity (5–15 cps): preferred in drilling fluids for easy pumping.

  • Medium viscosity (50–100 cps): textile printing pastes.

  • High viscosity (>400 cps): paper coatings requiring strong film formation.

• Compatibility: Stable across wide pH ranges; resistant to microbial degradation compared to natural gums.

• Documentation: Industrial COA must specify viscosity grade, purity, and compliance with oilfield or textile standards.

• Critical in drilling: Excessive dosage may increase mud viscosity too much, leading to poor pumpability.

• Critical in textiles/paper: Overuse can cause excessive film thickness, affecting flexibility and print quality.

Supported Information

• Oilfield standards: HPMC is recognized as a fluid-loss additive in API drilling fluid formulations.

• Textile & paper industry: Commonly used as a safer alternative to natural gums (e.g., guar, starch) due to better microbial stability.

• Performance advantage: Provides consistent viscosity, film strength, and stability across applications.