High Purity Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC for Food & Industrial Use

1. Introduction: What is Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC?

Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC (CMC) is a high-performance, water-soluble cellulose ether derived from natural cellulose via chemical modification. Renowned for its exceptional rheological properties, thickening efficiency, high purity, and film-forming ability, CMC has become an indispensable additive across industries such as food, oil & gas, papermaking, ceramics, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Today, the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC market exceeds USD 1.7 billion (2023) with a strong CAGR of 6.4% (2022–2028, MarketsandMarkets). The increasing demand for sustainable, biodegradable, and safe functional additives drives the evolution of CMC products.

2. Technical Specifications of Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC

Property	Typical Values		Test Standard	Specification Grades
Property	Industrial	Food/Pharma	Test Standard	Specification Grades
Appearance	White to creamish free-flowing powder		Visual	All
Degree of Substitution (DS)	0.6–0.95	0.65–0.90	ISO 11409/USP	Low/Medium/High
Purity (% Na-CMC)	≥95%	≥99.5%	ISO 9001	Technical, Food
pH (1% solution)	6.0–8.5	6.0–8.5	ISO 976/U.S. Pharmacopeia	All
Viscosity (2% sol, 25°C, mPa·s)	30–8000	10–5000	Brookfield LV	Low/Medium/High
Moisture (%)	≤10	≤10	ISO 638/USP	All
Heavy Metals (ppm)	≤40	≤10	FDA/ISO	Food/Pharma

*Values vary per application, refer to supplier for custom grades.

3. Parameter Trends: Global CMC Viscosity Grades (2020–2024)

4. Manufacturing Process of Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC

1. Cellulose Selection
(High-purity wood pulp)

→

2. Alkalization
(Treatment with NaOH to activate)

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3. Etherification
(Monochloroacetic acid + cellulose reaction)

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4. Washing & Purification

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5. Drying & Milling

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6. Quality Testing
(ISO, ANSI, FDA compliant)

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7. Packaging
(25kg, 500kg)

High Purity Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC for Food & Industrial Use

Material: Highly refined wood pulp or cotton linter
Manufacturing: Alkalization → Etherification → Neutralization → Washing → Drying → Milling
Processing: Controlled by DCS/PLC for parameter accuracy (degree of substitution, viscosity, purity)
Detection: ISO9001 FDA SGS Batch QC: viscosity, DS, purity, microbiology (food/pharma grade)
Longevity: Stable for >2 years (dry, sealed)
Industries: Oilfield fluids, ceramics, detergents, construction, mining, food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, paper

5. Product Comparison: CMC vs Alternatives

Parameter	Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC	Xanthan Gum	Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)	Guar Gum
Solubility (Water)	Easy & Fast, all temp.	Easy	Moderate	Easy
pH Tolerance	4–10	4–10	2–12	4–7
Viscosity Range (mPa·s, 1% sol.)	10–8000	1200–2200	50–6000	2000–3000
Shear Stability	Excellent	Good	Moderate	Poor
Salt Tolerance	High	Medium	Low	Poor
Cost Effectiveness	High	Medium	Medium	Low
Certifications	ISO/FDA/EU	ISO/EU	ISO	ISO

6. Technological Advantages & International Certifications

Enhanced Flow Control: CMC offers outstanding thickening, suspension, and water retention properties, critical in rheology modification and filtration reduction in drilling fluids and food formulations.
Salt & Heat Tolerance: High consistency in saline environments (oilfields), with stable viscosity under thermal stress (<90°C).
Non-toxic, Biodegradable: Meets EU, ISO, and FDA food/pharma safety directives.
Global Recognition: Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC is listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and Chinese Pharmacopeia (ChP).
Batch Traceability/Quality: Barcode system, DCS monitoring, and batch QC via third-party institutions (SGS, Bureau Veritas).
ISO/ANSI Compliance: Confirmed to ISO 9001 ISO 22000 HALAL Kosher
Long Service Life: 2–3 years under proper sealed storage conditions.

7. Application Scenarios: How Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC Adds Value

Oil & Gas Drilling: Viscosity control, fluid loss reducer in drilling/borehole stabilizers (API conformance).
Ceramics: Binder in green body and glazing, enhances processability, green strength.
Detergent & Cleaning: Prevents redeposition of dirt, enhances washing performance.
Paper Industry: Improves dry/wet strength, surface sizing, and calendaring performance.
Food/Pharma: Stabilizer, thickener, film-former, excipient. GRAS status per FDA.
Personal Care: Consistency regulator in toothpaste, shampoos, gels.
Water-based Paints: Rheology modifier, enhances anti-sagging, improves leveling.

8. Application Share: CMC End Use Sectors (2024E, %)

9. Top Global CMC Manufacturers: Quality & Service Benchmarking

Supplier	Location	Annual Output (kt)	Key Certifications	Segment Strength
FIZA Chemical	China	41	ISO9001, FDA, SGS	Oilfield, Ceramics, Detergent, Food
Ashland	US	28	ISO, USP, Kosher	Pharma/Food
CP Kelco	Denmark/US	24	ISO, HALAL, BRC	Food, Pharma
Lamberti	Italy	19	ISO, Kosher	Industrial
Nouryon	Netherlands	14	ISO, REACH	Mining, Paper

FIZA Chemical distinguishes itself through strict batch QC, high customizability, fast shipment (lead time as short as 7 days), and broad cross-industry application experience. All products verified by ISO9001, FDA, and SGS.

10. Custom Grades & Solution Development

OEM/ODM Customization: Adjust DS, viscosity, purity; customized packaging (25kg–500kg); industry-specific grades.
Technical Consulting: Application matching via experienced PhD technical team, on-demand product recommendations.
Rapid Sampling: Free laboratory-grade sample dispatch globally within 5 days.
After-sales Support: Troubleshooting, viscosity curve tracking, and on-site application guidance.
Traceable Documentation: Full batch reports, MSDS, COA, origin traceability, and consulting.

Delivery: Standard 7–21 days (stocked grades), 3–5 weeks for customized bulk orders.
Warranty: 24-month supply guarantee.
Support: 24/7 technical & logistics support, with global customer service center.

11. Application Case Studies

Case #1: Food-grade Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC for Instant Noodles
Client: Global instant noodle brand
Problem: Poor noodle texture & shelf life instability.
Solution: Introduced CMC (DS=0.75, viscosity=1200 mPa·s) as dough conditioner, improved elasticity, freeze-thaw stability, and reduced breakage by 38%.
Feedback: Consumer acceptance rose by 28% (internal survey).
Reference: Food Hydrocolloids, 2019

Case #2: High-purity CMC in Oil Drilling Fluids
Client: Sinopec, Middle East.
Scenario: Reservoirs with high salinity (TDS > 30,000 mg/L).
Solution: High DS CMC (DS=0.92, viscosity=850 mPa·s, API standard) replaced guar gum. Filtration loss in fluids reduced by 45%, downtime cut by 19%.
Feedback: Lower OPEX, smoother drilling.
Reference: SPE, 2013

Case #3: CMC in Detergent Tablets
Client: European eco-detergent OEM.
Scenario: Tablet integrity, suspending dirt particles.
Outcome: ≥17% improvement in stain removal; tablet dispersion time reduced by 40%. Complied with EU Ecolabel.
Reference: Polymers Journal, 2023

12. Global Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC Market Growth (2019–2024)

13. Professional FAQs: Understanding Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC

Q1: What material is used in manufacturing Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC?

A: High-purity natural cellulose, generally from bleached softwood pulp or cotton linter, is the raw material. The purity ensures higher DS (degree of substitution) control and low ash content, critical for food, pharma, and high-end industrial applications.

Q2: How is viscosity graded and why does it matter?

A: Viscosity grades of CMC (e.g., 50, 400, 1200, 4000 mPa·s) are measured in 1–2% aqueous solutions at 25°C via Brookfield viscometer. Matching viscosity grade to application ensures efficient thickening, suspension, or film formation in the end product.

Q3: What are the key international standards for CMC use?

A: Major standards include ISO 9001 (quality), FDA 21 CFR 182.1745 (food additive), USP/EP/ChP (pharma grade), and API 13A (oil drilling). These guarantee product safety, performance, and traceability for end users.

Q4: How long is the shelf life of Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC?

A: Generally 24–36 months if stored in a dry, tightly sealed container111, away from high humidity and direct sunlight.

Q5: What is "degree of substitution (DS)" and its significance?

A: DS refers to the average number of carboxymethyl groups per anhydroglucose unit in cellulose (0.4–1.2 typical). Higher DS increases water solubility and ionic tolerance, essential for saline and alkaline applications.

Q6: In which forms is CMC supplied?

A: Fine powder (white/creamy), with packaging of 25kg craft bags (with PE liner), 500kg flexible intermediate bulk container111s (FIBC), or custom as per client needs.

Q7: Does CMC meet sustainable and regulatory requirements?

A: Yes, Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC is biodegradable, non-GMO, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and is recyclable as per EU, FDA, and ISO 14001 requirements. It is thus preferred for green product lines upstream and downstream.

References & Further Reading:
- “Review on Application and Innovation of CMC Industry.” Carbohydrate Polymers, Elsevier
- “CMC Market Outlook 2024.” MarketsandMarkets
- “Effect of Degree of Substitution on CMC Performance.” Journal of Polymers
- “CMC Technical Discussion Forum.” Chemical Forums
- “Latest ISO/FDA Standards for Cellulose Ethers.” ISO 9001 | FDA