HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE- ▸ 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
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 →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.
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU): Not determined from public registry
- EC number: 618-387-5
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:
- Acids & Thickeners for Clinging Toilet Bowl Cleaners (Home & Industrial Care)
- Cellulose Ethers for Mortar & Tile Adhesive (HEMC/MHEC) (Coatings & Construction)
- Rheology Modifiers & Anti-Sag Thickeners for Coatings (Coatings & Construction)
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.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)?
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) (CAS 9004-62-0) is listed as Active on the U.S. EPA TSCA Inventory; its REACH registration status is not determined from the public ECHA registry.