HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE- ▸ Construction: water retention and workability in mortars and plasters
- ▸ Coatings/adhesives: thickener and film former
- ▸ Food/personal care: thickener, emulsifier, suspending agent
- ▸ Film forming: protective colloid and binder
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 →Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, hypromellose; CAS 9004-65-3) is a nonionic cellulose ether. It is used as a thickener, film former, binder, emulsifier, water-retention aid, and protective colloid in construction products such as tile mortars and plasters, as well as coatings, adhesives, and personal-care and food formulations.
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU): Not determined from public registry
- EC number: 618-389-6
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:
- Cellulose Ethers for Mortar & Tile Adhesive (HEMC/MHEC) (Coatings & Construction)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose natural or synthetic?
HPMC (hypromellose, CAS 9004-65-3) is a modified natural polymer: it is made from cellulose, a natural polysaccharide, that has been chemically etherified with methyl and hydroxypropyl groups. The result is a nonionic cellulose ether.
What is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose used for?
HPMC is used as a water-retention and workability aid in tile mortars, plasters, and other construction products, as a thickener and film former in coatings and adhesives, and as a thickener, emulsifier, and suspending agent in personal-care and food formulations.
What is another name for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose?
HPMC is also called hypromellose and carries CAS 9004-65-3. It is a nonionic cellulose ether and classifies under HS 3912.39 (cellulose ethers, other).
What viscosity grades of HPMC are available?
HPMC is supplied in a range of viscosity grades and methyl/hydroxypropyl substitution levels selected by application, from construction grades to coating and personal-care grades. Confirm the target viscosity and specification against the Certificate of Analysis when ordering.
How is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose supplied in bulk?
RawSource supplies HPMC powder in bagged and bulk quantities for construction, coatings, and formulation use. Request a bulk quote specifying viscosity grade for current pricing, packaging, and lead time.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC, Hypromellose)?
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC, Hypromellose) (CAS 9004-65-3) is listed as Active on the U.S. EPA TSCA Inventory; its REACH registration status is not determined from the public ECHA registry.