Cellulose Ether Supplier

Cellulose Ether Supplier

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Cellulose ether supplier is a high-performance, water-soluble, non-ionic polymer. It is derived from cellulose, which is the most abundant natural polymer, and is used as an ingredient in various applications such as paper sizes, paints, construction products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and lubricants. Cellulose ethers function as thickeners, film formers, binders, suspending and emulsifying agents, surfactants and protective colloids. They can also help increase crack-crack resistance and improve adhesiveness.

The production of cellulose ethers starts Kima Chemical with the extraction of raw cellulose from wood fiber or refined short cotton fibre. This alkaline cellulose is then treated chemically and subjected to etherification reaction. The extent of substitution of the hydroxyl groups determines the type of cellulose ether produced. Fully substituted varieties such as methylcellulose and ethylcellulose have a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.8-0.9 and 1.0, respectively, whereas partially substituted varieties such as carboxymethyl cellulose has a DS of 1.6-1.8, and hydrooxypropyl cellulose has a DS of 2.4-2.8.

During the etherification process, hydroxyl groups are removed from the cellulose chain to make it react with an alkyl halide such as methyl chloride for HPMC or ethylene oxide for HEMC and HEC, to replace these with ether groups. The resulting cellulose ethers are then neutralized and purified.

Mikem Chemical is a US based global manufacturer and supplier of specialty chemical ingredients. Its core business is cellulose ethers, including Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC), Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose(HEMC) and Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), as well as Re-dispersible Polymer Powder (RDP) under the trademark Mikrant. Headquartered in Dallas, USA, Mikem has branches, offices, plants, sourcing teams and warehouses across the world.

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