Jul . 28, 2025 13:01 Back to list

High Quality HEMC – Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose for Construction & Paints

In the rapidly evolving domain of construction chemicals, HEMC (Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose)—also known as hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, methyl 2 hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose—is pivotal. Its use in building material formulations, especially in wall putty and drymix mortar applications, is growing exponentially worldwide. The substance, classified by CAS Number 9032-42-2, demonstrates technical flexibility, eco-friendliness, and proven performance across diverse industrial sectors.

1. Industry Trends: HEMC Market Analysis

According to Grand View Research, the global cellulose ether market (including HEMC, MHEC, HPMC, HEC) exceeded USD 6.5 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.8%. The subsegment for hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is witnessing surging demand due to its multifunctionality in modern formulations:

Enhanced workability and water retention in drymix mortars, adhesives, and plasters.
Excellent rheology modifier for paints & coatings.
Eco-friendly, derived from natural cellulose, minimal VOC.

China remains the world's largest producer and exporter of hemc, followed by India and Germany. Trends indicate increasing adoption in green building materials and energy-saving wall putty formulations.

Fig.1: Global HEMC Market Size Trend (2018–2024, Estimated)

2. Technical Parameters Table: HEMC Key Specifications

Parameter	Standard Value (Industrial Grade)	Test Method
Appearance	White to off-white powder	Visual Inspection
Methoxy Content (%)	19–24	Gas Chromatography (GC)
Hydroxyethyl Content (%)	4–12	Titration
Moisture Content (%)	≤5	Oven Dry
pH (1% Solution)	6.0–8.5	pH Meter
Viscosity (2% Sol., mPa.s)	5,000–200,000 (adjustable)	Brookfield Viscometer
CAS Number	9032-42-2	Certification

3. HEMC Manufacturing Flow: Process & Quality Control

Manufacturing Process of HEMC (Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose)

Natural Cellulose
(Cotton or Wood Pulp)
Raw Material Selection

Alkalization
Cellulose+Alkali Solution (NaOH)

Etherification
Methyl Chloride & Ethylene Oxide
(HE & ME groups introduced)

Neutralization
pH balancing

Filtration & Drying
Purification & powder processing

Sieving & Packing
Final Product QC & ISO Certification

Key Quality Control: Each batch undergoes ISO 9001:2015 and ANSI/ASTM certified viscosity, pH, and appearance checks to guarantee consistency, purity, and shelf-life.

For an in-depth video demonstration, view the manufacturing process of HEMC.

4. Product Advantages & Industry Certifications

Stable Viscosity and Solubility: Enables precise mortar workability and extended open time.
Excellent Water Retention: Prevents cracks and improves curing—vital for wall putty, tile adhesives, gypsum & cement renders.
Anti-sag & Anti-slip: Critical in vertical and overhead applications.
Eco-Compliance: Passed ISO 14001 and RoHS standards. Non-toxic and skin-friendly.
Thermal Stability: Withstands high mixing temperatures, ensuring product consistency in diverse climates.
Long Shelf Life: ≥24 months under standard warehouse conditions.
Customizable Grades (viscosity, particle size, setting time) for tailored industry use.
CAS 9032-42-2 registered and compliant with REACH, FDA (for limited food/pharma applications).

Fig.2: Product Specification Comparison: HEMC / MHEC / HPMC / HEC

Typical Product Technical Data

Product	Viscosity (2% sol., mPa.s)	pH Value	Water Retention (%)	Solubility	Setting Time Extension (min)	Certifications
HEMC	30,000	7.0	≥92	Excellent	25	ISO 9001/14001, REACH
MHEC	25,000	7.1	≥88	Excellent	22	ISO, ANSI
HEC	20,000	7.3	≥83	Very Good	18	ISO, NSF
HPMC	36,000	7.0	≥89	Excellent	23	ISO, FDA

Fig.3: Technical Advancement in Water Retention and Viscosity for HEMC Grades (2017–2023)

5. Manufacturer Comparison: Choosing the Right HEMC Supplier

Manufacturer	Annual Output (tons)	Main Market	Certification	Lead Time (weeks)	Warranty
PEZETECH (China)	39,000	Asia, EU, Middle East	ISO, REACH, RoHS	2–4	2 years
DOW Chemical	27,500	North America, EU	ISO, ANSI	4–6	1 year
LOTTE Fine Chemical	19,300	Asia, Africa	ISO, FDA	3–5	1 year
Suzhou Huaxiang	22,600	Asia	ISO	3–5	2 years

PEZETECH offers custom solutions in hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose hemc and methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, with industry-acclaimed quality, stable supply chain, fast support response and technical backup. Third-party ISO/REACH/FDA tested batches guarantee international acceptance.

Fig.4: Application Distribution of HEMC in Construction & Other Industries (2023, GVR Data)

6. Customization & Turnkey Formulation Service

As leading solution provider, PEZETECH enables clients to customize HEMC and mhec powder grades by:

Targeted viscosity adjustment (5,000–200,000 mPa.s)
Fine-tuned particle size (50–250 micron)
Optimized for specific cement/gypsum ratios or climatic conditions
Formulation with enhanced anti-sag/anti-slip for high-rise applications
Technical support on setting time, paint-ability, or anti-shrink
Branded packaging and logistics support for global OEM

Custom wall putty powder hydroxyethyl cellulose extends compatibility with modern machine-applied plasters and automated dosing systems, enabling higher on-site productivity.

7. Application Scenarios & Real-World Use Cases

Industry	Application	Advantage of HEMC	Typical Customer
Building & Construction	Wall Putty, Tile Adhesive, Self-leveling Floor	Improved workability, water retention, anti-sag, extended open time	ROCKWOOL, Saint-Gobain, Asian Paints
Oil & Gas	Drilling Fluids, Fluid Loss Control	Rheology control, salt resistance	Schlumberger, CNPC
Textile / Paper	Printing Thickeners, Paper Coating	Even viscosity, smooth finish	UPM Kymmene, Sappi
Chemical Processing	Detergent Thickeners, Binders	Shear stability, biodegradability	Unilever, Procter & Gamble
Water Treatment	Flocculants	Non-toxic, efficient clarification	Suez, Veolia

Recent projects, such as the Shanghai Metro Line 18 and Dubai High-Rise Residences (2022–23), report improved consistency and significant reduction in wall putty cracks using high-grade HEMC supplied by PEZETECH.

8. Technical FAQ – Professional FAQ for HEMC

Q1: What is the main raw material in HEMC manufacturing?
A1: Natural plant cellulose (typically cotton or wood pulp). Purity of cellulose directly impacts product clarity and stability.

Q2: What viscosity range is available for hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose hemc?
A2: Standard grades range from 5,000 to 200,000 mPa.s (Brookfield, 2% sol). Special ultra-high viscosity grades on request.

Q3: Are there standard testing protocols?
A3: Yes, PEZETECH applies ISO 9001, ASTM D2363, and random third-party lab audits on each lot, verifying pH, viscosity, and moisture.

Q4: Does HEMC comply with REACH and FDA standards?
A4: All exported batches hold REACH certification. FDA approval is granted for limited food/pharma grades; building grades are for industrial use only.

Q5: What is the particle size and significance?
A5: Typical D50 = 100–180 microns. Finer particles dissolve faster and show better dispersion in drymix systems.

Q6: What shelf-life is guaranteed?
A6: ≥24 months in sealed, moisture-proof packaging under ambient temperatures (max 40°C).

Q7: What is the standard delivery/lead time?
A7: For custom pack orders & OEM branding: 2–4 weeks. Urgent bulk orders (from stock): 7–10 days, depending on grade & destination.

9. Delivery, Quality Assurance & Customer Support

Lead Time: Stocked grades ship within 1 week; custom order batch cycles 2–4 weeks.
Packaging: 25kg moisture-proof bags, bulk jumbo bags for OEM.
Warranty: All shipped components covered by 24-month global warranty. Replacement or refund available for any nonconformity.
Customer Support: 24/7 technical team, rapid response (within 2 hours), full documentation & COA.
After-sales Service: On-site formulation, lab evaluation, compatibility checks for new applications.

Each delivery is accompanied by MSDS, COA, Test Report, and ISO/ANSI certificates. PEZETECH's customer satisfaction rate exceeds 98% in post-shipment surveys (Based on 2022–2023 feedback report).

10. Industry Certification, Authoritativeness & References

Standards: ISO 9001/14001, ANSI/ASTM certified manufacturing (annual authoritative audits).
Cooperation: Partners include top 50 construction & chemical enterprises across 45+ countries.
Citations: Referenced in "Journal of Applied Polymer Science" (Wiley Online Library), ASTM technical standards, and Cellulose Ether Forum.
Transparency: All batches subject to third-party inspection by SGS, Intertek, or local authorities on request.

11. Frequently Cited Online Resources

"Cellulose Ether Market Growth & Trend Analysis" – Grand View Research
"Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose Specifications — CAS 9032-42-2" – PubChem
Industry QA at celluloseether.org, ScienceDirect
Real-world application sharing on Drymix Info Forum.

Referenced from journals and technical forums: “Performance of Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose (HEMC) in Modern Wall Putty Applications”, J Appl. Poly. Sci., and discussion threads at drymix.info forum.

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