CELLULOSE GUM- ▸ Thickener/stabilizer: Viscosity control and stabilization in foods and cosmetics.
- ▸ Drilling fluids: Viscosifier in drilling muds.
- ▸ Detergents: Anti-redeposition additive in detergents.
- ▸ Coatings/adhesives: Used in paints, adhesives, and printing inks.
- ▸ Textile sizing: Sizing agent for textiles.
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.
Request SDS →Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CAS 9004-32-4) is the sodium salt of a carboxymethyl ether of cellulose. It is used as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier; in drilling muds, detergents, paints, adhesives, printing inks, and textile sizes; and as a protective colloid and viscosity modifier.
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU): Not determined from public registry
- EC number: 618-378-6
TSCA Inventory flag XU: a substance exempt from reporting under the Chemical Data Reporting Rule (40 CFR 711) (EPA flag legend).
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
Solutions Using This Product
Process-solution guides on this site that specify this chemistry:
- Pipeline Cleaning, Gel-Pig & Commissioning Chemicals (Oil, Gas & Mining)
- Seed Coating Binders That Cut Dust-Off (Agriculture)
- Rheology and Anti-Settling for SC/SE Concentrates (Agriculture)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is carboxymethyl cellulose used for?
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC, CAS 9004-32-4) is used industrially as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier. Common applications include drilling muds as a viscosifier, anti-redeposition additive in detergents, and viscosity control in paints, adhesives, printing inks, and textile sizes. It also serves as a protective colloid and viscosity modifier.
What is carboxymethyl cellulose made from?
CMC is the sodium salt of a carboxymethyl ether of cellulose. It is produced by reacting cellulose with sodium hydroxide and chloroacetic acid (or its sodium salt), which substitutes carboxymethyl groups onto the cellulose backbone. The HS classification is 3912.31 (carboxymethylcellulose and its salts).
Is carboxymethyl cellulose water soluble?
Yes. CMC disperses and dissolves in water to form viscous solutions, which is the basis for its use as a thickener and protective colloid. Solution viscosity depends on grade, degree of substitution, and molecular weight; specify your target viscosity when requesting a quote.
What grades and viscosities of CMC are available in bulk?
CMC is supplied across a range of viscosity and substitution grades selected by application (drilling, detergent, coatings, textile). Grade-specific specifications and a Certificate of Analysis are provided per lot. Contact us with your target viscosity and end use for a bulk quote on drums or supersacks.
What is the cost of bulk carboxymethyl cellulose?
Bulk CMC pricing depends on grade, viscosity, order volume, and packaging. We supply industrial quantities in drums, bags, and supersacks; request a current bulk quote with your required grade and volume for accurate pricing.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC, Cellulose Gum)?
Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC, Cellulose Gum) (CAS 9004-32-4) is listed as Active on the U.S. EPA TSCA Inventory; its REACH registration status is not determined from the public ECHA registry.