Specialty Additives Available — Bulk Only

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)

HEC
CAS 9004-62-0 · Formula C36H70O19 · MW 806.9 g/mol

A nonionic cellulosic thickener supplied for water-borne coatings, construction, and personal-care rheology. It is used as a thickener, suspending agent, binder, protective colloid, and film former in latex paints, building products, oilfield fluids, and personal-care formulations.

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HS Code
3912.39
At a Glance
Material Family
Specialty Additives
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Surfactancy · Film Formation
Functional Roles
Surfactancy Film Formation Viscosity Modification Thickening / Rheology Conditioning Moisture Control
INCI Name
HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE
CosIng Functions
BINDINGEMULSION STABILISINGFILM FORMINGLIGHT STABILIZERVISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Industries Served
Beauty & Personal Care Coatings & Construction HI&I Cleaning Plastics & Polymers
Applications & Use Cases
  • ▸ Coatings: thickener and rheology modifier for latex paints
  • ▸ Construction: water retention and workability in cement and mortar
  • ▸ Oil & gas: viscosifier for drilling and fracturing fluids
  • ▸ Personal care: thickener and film former
  • ▸ Suspension: protective colloid and stabilizer
Physical Properties
Melting Point
Decomposes at 205°C as Cellosize
Density
Specific gravity (2%): 1.0033 g/cu cm
Solubility
Soluble
pH
pH = 7
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
3912 . 39
Chapter 39
Plastics and articles thereof
Heading 39.12
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 3912.39
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
9004-62-0
Molecular Formula
C36H70O19
Molecular Weight
806.9 g/mol
IUPAC Name
1-[[3,4,5-tris(2-hydroxypropoxy)-6-[4,5,6-tris(2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-(2-hydroxypropoxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]propan-2-ol
INCI Name
HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE
PubChem CID
4327536
InChI Key
DFJVHKAPIXJTSC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Synonyms & Trade Names
Cellulose hydroxyethylate HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE Cellulose hydroxyethyl ether 2-Hydroxyethyl cellulose ether Cellulosize Cellosize Natrosol Cellosize QP Cellosize WP Tylose H series Natrosol LR Tylose P Cellosize QP3 OETs Cellosize UT 40 Cellosize WP 09 H. E. Cellulose Glutofix 600
Full Description

Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC, CAS 9004-62-0) is a nonionic, water-soluble cellulose ether. It is used as a thickener, suspending agent, binder, protective colloid, and film former in latex paints, building products, oilfield fluids, and personal-care formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another name for hydroxyethyl cellulose?

Hydroxyethyl cellulose is commonly abbreviated HEC and carries CAS 9004-62-0. It is a nonionic, water-soluble cellulose ether; INCI and technical listings also reference it simply as Hydroxyethylcellulose.

What is hydroxyethylcellulose derived from?

HEC is a cellulose ether made from cellulose, a natural polysaccharide, by etherifying it with ethylene oxide to introduce hydroxyethyl groups. The result is a nonionic, water-soluble polymer.

What is hydroxyethylcellulose used for?

HEC is used as a thickener and rheology modifier in latex paints, a water-retention and workability aid in cement and mortar, a viscosifier in drilling and fracturing fluids, and a thickener, film former, and protective colloid in personal-care formulations.

What grades and viscosities of HEC are available?

HEC is supplied in a range of viscosity grades selected by application, from low-viscosity grades for personal care to high-viscosity grades for paints and building products. Confirm the target viscosity and specification against the Certificate of Analysis when ordering.

How is hydroxyethylcellulose supplied in bulk?

RawSource supplies HEC powder in bagged and bulk quantities for coatings, construction, oilfield, and personal-care use. Request a bulk quote specifying viscosity grade for current pricing, packaging, and lead time.

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Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.

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