Clearcel Cellulosics

We have developed a range of Cellulosics as a competitively priced alternative to branded products such as Methocel, Benecel, Walocel and Natrasol. We carry HPMC, MC, CMC, and HEC stock here in the UK.

We represent leading manufacturers in both the Far East and Central America and can supply all types of Cellulosic material and with regular shipments from our manufacturers, we are able to group together shipments and therefore can competitively supply small quantities for specialist requirements.

CMC (Carboxymethyl Cellulose)

CMC is the most widely used Cellulosic and its functions include rheology control, thickening, suspension, moisture retention, film forming, binding, adhesion and protective colloid. It is suitable for food and industrial use and is made use of in paper and board making and recycling, water based paints, adhesive crack fillers, ceramic glazes and fountain solutions. It ranges in viscosity from virtually zero, which is primarily used in drinks to provide mouthfeel) to very high (~60,000CPS @ 2%). Generally CMC produces a very smooth syrup-like solution, compared to the more gelatinous solutions that Guar and Xanthan give. Chemcolloids carry a range of stock of food grades and have the ability to supply a much greater spectrum to cover any requirement a customer may have.

HEC (Hydroxyethyl Cellulose)

The primary uses of HEC are paints, cementitious materials, pigments and dyes, household cleaning and personal care products. It offers good rheology control and offers benefits such as thickening, flow control, levelling properties, anti spatter and in-can stability. We carry a full range of industrial grade HEC from very low to very high viscosity. We also have available an Extra Low Viscosity Grade available (100 - 200cps @ 5%)

HPMC (Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose), MC (Methyl Cellulose) and MHEC (Methylhydroxyethyl Cellulose)

Chemcolloids have matches for the brand names widely known throughout the food industry and up until now have been supplying these to order. We have launched a limited stock range of HPMC and MC suitable for food use in order to service customers that take small quantites. This is continually expanding. More regular ordering has meant shorter lead times and improved service so that for larger orders that we don't have stock to cover, we can add to shipments that are on order.

Away from food, this family of cellulosics have properties such as air entrapment, water retention, suspension, and are used in the construction industry in plasterboard, gypsum plaster, crack fillers, joint and filling compounds and grout to achieve similar properties. We are working closely with our manufacturers to develop a range of industrial MHEC grades to match existing products available in the market.

HPC (Hydroxypropyl Cellulose)

HPC is fully soluble in cold water and many polar organic solvents, and is an excellent film former, stabiliser, rheology control substance and suspending agent. We don't currently stock HPC, but we are working closely with manufacturers in order to develop an HPC range.

EC (Ethyl Cellulose)

Similarly to HPC, we are working with manufacturers and looking at EC as a product development, but we aren't currently stocking it.