Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/Cellulose Gum

Food, Personal Care & Pharmaceutical

• CAS Number: 9004-32-4

• Appearance : off-white powder

We offer 5 grades of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) / Cellulose Gum based on the viscosity(1% solution):

• 400–500 cPs

• 1,000–2,000 cPs

• 2,000–3,000 cPs

• 3,000–4,000 cPs

• 4,000–5,000 cPs

Below is the sector-wise information for Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) / Cellulose Gum.

Personal Care:

• INCI: Cellulose Gum

Cellulose gum also known as Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a plant - based rheology modifier, thickener, and stabilizer used in personal care formulations. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring extremely high clarity in aqueous systems, enabling crystal-clear solutions.

Cellulose gum provides effective thickening and suspension in a wide range of formulations while supporting the development of clear systems and improving emulsion stability. It performs well on its own and shows synergistic benefits when used with commonly used thickeners, offering better aesthetics than most conventional natural thickeners and a pleasant skin after-feel. For suspensions, it is recommended at 1.2–1.5%, and for emulsions at 0.4–1.3%. It is cold-water soluble and should be dispersed in water and mixed for at least 30 minutes, with higher mixing speeds helping faster incorporation. The polymer should be added at the beginning of the formulation to ensure complete hydration before other ingredients are introduced. For faster processing, it can be pre-wetted in glycol or mixed with heat, no neutralization is required, and electrolytes or minerals should be added only after the gel has formed. It is suitable for leave-on skincare applications such as creams, lotions, gels, face masks, sun care products, foundations, and BB creams.

Food :

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is widely used in the food industry for its versatile functional properties. It primarily acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and viscosity modifier, helping to improve texture, mouthfeel, and consistency in a wide range of food products. CMC is commonly used in dairy products, beverages, sauces, dressings, bakery items, confectionery, and frozen foods to prevent ingredient separation, control moisture migration, and enhance stability during processing and storage. It also improves freeze–thaw stability, suspension of solids, and shelf life, while maintaining product uniformity and sensory quality. Due to its neutral taste, high water-binding capacity, and effectiveness at low concentrations, CMC is a reliable ingredient for achieving consistent performance in both liquid and semi-solid food formulations.

Pharmaceutical:

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry due to its safety, functionality, and compatibility with a wide range of formulations. It functions primarily as a binder, thickener, stabilizer, suspending agent, and viscosity modifier in oral, topical, and ophthalmic products. CMC is commonly used in tablets and capsules to improve granulation, tablet integrity, and controlled drug release, as well as in syrups and oral suspensions to maintain uniform dispersion of active ingredients. In topical formulations such as creams, gels, and ointments, it enhances texture, spreadability, and stability. It is also widely used in ophthalmic solutions and artificial tears for lubrication and moisture retention, and in wound care and dental formulations for its film-forming and protective properties. Its biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and ability to form clear, stable aqueous solutions make CMC a dependable excipient across a broad range of pharmaceutical applications.