HPMC is vegan and vegetarian friendly. Nobody really wants to swallow a capsule made from boiled cow bones if they have a choice, so gelatin capsules have become unpopular with educated consumers. HPMC has no natural taste, smell or colour, although many capsules will have colours added. Most people find HPMC easy to swallow. It also dissolves in the stomach quite quickly, often in just 5-10 minutes. Bovine gelatin capsules take longer to dissolve at more like 20 minutes. Tablets can take hours to dissolve completely. This makes HPMC capsules an ideal delivery method for most supplements, where we want the powdered vitamin or mineral content to arrive quickly and comfortably into the users stomach.
- 5. Considerations When Buying HEC
- In the cosmetics and personal care industry, hydroxyethyl cellulose is used in a wide range of products, including shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and creams. It acts as a thickener and stabilizer, improving the texture and consistency of these products. Its film-forming properties create a protective barrier on the skin or hair, preventing moisture loss and enhancing the overall efficacy of the product.
- The HPMC website also highlights the sustainable aspects of this versatile polymer. As a plant-derived material, HPMC is renewable and biodegradable, reducing its environmental impact compared to synthetic alternatives. Its wide range of applications and long shelf life make it a cost-effective and sustainable choice for manufacturers seeking eco-friendly solutions.
HPMC can serve several functions in baked goods such as:1, 2
- In the food industry, HPMC is used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in a variety of products, including sauces, soups, and desserts. Its ability to improve texture, prevent crystallization, and enhance mouthfeel has made it a popular ingredient in processed foods.
Methyl cellulose is a water-soluble polymer made from cellulose. It is used as a thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer in foods and cosmetics. HPMC is a water-soluble polymer made from cellulose modified with hydroxypropyl groups. It is used as a thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Both methyl cellulose and HPMC are widely used and have a variety of applications. However, HPMC is more commonly used in building materials than methyl cellulose.
- Another significant benefit of redispersible polymer powders is their ability to increase the flexural strength and impact resistance of cementitious composites. When added to concrete or mortar, these powders form a network of microfibers that provide additional support and reinforcement, making the material more resistant to cracking and deformation under stress. This is particularly useful in applications where the structure is subjected to heavy loads or dynamic forces, such as bridges, highways, and industrial floors.
(1) Adhesive:
HPMC is commonly used as a binder in the production of vitamin tablets and capsules. As a binder, it helps bind the various ingredients together, ensuring the structural integrity of the tablet or capsule.
As a seed coating material, HPMC gel can enhance the uniformity of seed coating and provide protection against environmental stresses.




The mechanism of action of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose is a result of its unique molecular structure. HPMC is a cellulose derivative with hydrophilic hydroxypropyl and methyl groups attached to the cellulose backbone. When added to a formulation, HPMC disperses in water to form a colloidal solution.
The applicant claims that the feed additive HPMC is specified to be manufactured to meet the specifications set for its use as a food additive. The main specifications as food and feed additive are: methoxyl groups ≥ 19 and ≤ 30%, hydroxypropoxyl groups ≥ 3 and ≤ 12%, loss on drying < 10%, sulfated ash < 1.5% (for products with viscosities of 50 mPa.s or above) or < 3% (for products with viscosities below 50 mPa.s). Five batches of the additive were analysed for some of the above specifications, resulting in: methoxyl groups (four batches) 23.5–29.2%, hydroxypropoxyl groups (four batches) 5.2–8.4%, loss on drying (one batch) 1.2% and sulfated ash (one batch) 0.6%. Only statements, without figures, of compliance with the specifications for some impurities (heavy metals, arsenic, solvents, microbial purity) were provided. Information on other impurities ((pesticides, dioxins, dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, mycotoxins, botanical impurities) was not provided.
HPMC
The ingredients are simple so I know what she’s getting.
1)Interior wall putty powder: 800KG heavy calcium, 150KG hydrated lime (additional options may include starch ether, pure Qing, Peng Run soil, citric acid, polyacrylamide, etc.).