- Hydroxyethyl cellulose powder is a versatile ingredient that has found numerous applications in the personal care and pharmaceutical industries. This versatile polymer is derived from cellulose, which is a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants. The introduction of hydroxyethyl groups through etherification reactions enhances the solubility and functionality of the cellulose molecule.
- Furthermore, in the food industry, HEC is used as a food additive, primarily as a thickener and stabilizer. It finds use in products like ice cream, sauces, and dressings, improving their texture and shelf life.
Once upon a time, almost all vitamin capsules were made from bovine gelatin. As vegetarianism and sustainability became more popular, market trends moved away from gelatin based capsules. Today most supplement products in the UK and European market would be made from HPMC. Bovine gelatin tends to only be used in very lost cost products, or products where it would not matter that it is not vegetarian, such as a collagen capsule.

1. What is the main use of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC)?
In regions with significant temperature differences between summer and winter, it is advisable to use lower viscosity HPMC during the winter season for better construction results. Otherwise, at lower temperatures, the viscosity of the cellulose increases, resulting in a heavier feel during application and scraping.

The European Commission received a request from Association Management & Regulatory Services Ltd2 for re-evaluation of the product hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, when used as a feed additive for all animal species (category: technological additives; functional groups: emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener, gelling agent or binder).