HPMC - Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose

Why HPMC Is the Core Additive in Dry-Mix Mortar

HPMC is manufactured from refined cotton or wood pulp through alkalization and etherification. It acts as a thickener, binder, water-retention agent, dispersant and film former in one.

✓

Water retention — prevents fast drying and cracking in thin-layer construction; guarantees full hydration of cement and gypsum.

✓

Thickening & anti-sag — gives mortar good structure stability, flowability and vertical slip resistance.

✓

Workability & open time — extends adjustment time on site, improves application efficiency.

✓

Rapid solubility — dissolves within minutes in high-pH mortar systems.

✓

pH stability — stable in the range of pH 3.0 ~ 11.0.

Technical Data

Typical Specifications

Standard HPMC industrial grade (construction series). Pharma-grade (USP/EP) and food-grade (FCC) on request.

Property	Typical Value
Appearance	White or off-white powder, odorless, tasteless
Methoxy content (DS)	19.0 ~ 24.0%
Hydroxypropoxy content (MS)	4.0 ~ 12.0%
Viscosity (2% aq., Brookfield, 20°C)	400 ~ 200,000 mPa·s (per grade)
Moisture	≤ 5.0%
Ash content (ignition residue, as sulfate)	≤ 3.0%
pH (1% aqueous solution)	5.0 ~ 8.0
Gel temperature	60 ~ 75°C
Bulk (apparent) density	0.30 ~ 0.70 g/cm³
Particle size (80 mesh pass rate)	≥ 98%
Whiteness	≥ 80%
Water retention (standard mortar test)	≥ 95%
Surface tension (2% solution)	42 ~ 56 mN/m

All values are typical for industrial grade; not a specification certificate. Per-batch CoA available on request.

Grades

Main Viscosity Grades

Three families cover 90% of our export volume — surface-treated (anti-foaming) grades available for easy dispersion in dry-mix systems.

Construction Series (C & high-water-retention series)

Grade	Viscosity (mPa·s, 2%, Brookfield)	Typical Application
MH400	~ 400	Self-leveling, gypsum plaster
MH6004 / MH7004	18,000 ~ 22,000	Tile adhesive, tile grout, wall putty
MH6010 / MH7010	45,000 ~ 55,000	Tile adhesive, putty, EIFS, sprayed mortar
MH6015 / MH7015	60,000 ~ 70,000	Wall putty, thermal insulation mortar
MH6020 / MH7020	≥ 70,000	High water retention, putty, mortar
MH6808	30,000 ~ 35,000	High water retention series, putty
MH7810	45,000 ~ 55,000	Slurry stability, tile adhesive, spray mortar
MH8812 / MH9815	60,000 ~ 98,000	High water retention, slurry stability

Functional Series (T series — easy-application / anti-sag)

Grade	Viscosity (mPa·s, 2%, Brookfield)	Feature	Typical Application
T5318	18,000 ~ 25,000	Anti-sagging	Tile adhesive, wall putty
T5324	18,000 ~ 25,000	Anti-sagging / long open time	Tile adhesive, exterior wall putty
T6316 / T6303	25,000 ~ 35,000	Easy to operate	Wall putty, skim coat
T6324	25,000 ~ 35,000	Anti-sagging / long open time	Tile adhesive, wall putty
T7323	45,000 ~ 55,000	Early strength / fast build-up	Tile adhesive, skim coat
T7324	45,000 ~ 55,000	High water retention	Tile adhesive, skim coat

Daily-Chemical Series (S series — personal care & coatings)

Grade	Viscosity (mPa·s, 2%, Brookfield)	Feature	Typical Application
S3836	45,000 ~ 55,000	Thickening & suspension	Detergent, personal care
S9833	85,000 ~ 98,000	High thickening	Shampoo, body wash, waterborne coatings
S9834 / S9835	85,000 ~ 98,000	Thickening & suspension	Detergent, waterborne coatings

Pharma Series (D series — capsules & controlled release, on request)

Grade	Viscosity (mPa·s, 2%, Brookfield)	Feature	Typical Application
D-E3 / D-E5	3 / 5	Film-forming	Tablet coating
D-E50	50	Film-forming	Tablet coating
D-K4M	4,000	Controlled release	Sustained-release matrix
D-K15M	15,000	Binder / tablet	Tablet binding
D-K100M	100,000	Binder / tablet	Tablet binding

Custom viscosity, mesh size, surface treatment and surface-treated (anti-foaming) versions available on request. Pharma-grade USP/EP and food-grade FCC also supplied.

Applications

Where HPMC Works Best

From tile adhesive and wall putty to gypsum plaster, self-leveling and personal care — HPMC is the multi-functional additive behind most dry-mix and water-based systems.

Tile Adhesive

The largest application. Water retention, anti-sag and extended open time for thin-bed ceramic, porcelain and stone tile adhesives (C1 / C2) and cement-based grouts.

Get a quote →

Wall Putty

Improves workability, open time and crack resistance of interior and exterior putty, skim coats and decorative renders — less sag, less dusting.

Get a quote →

Mortar

Water retention and rheology control for cement plaster, masonry mortar and machine-sprayed render — better pumpability and anti-sag.

Get a quote →

Gypsum Plaster

Controls water demand and setting behaviour of gypsum plasters, joint compounds and machine-applied gypsum renders.

Get a quote →

Self-Leveling

Low-viscosity grades give flow without bleeding for self-leveling compounds; higher grades bond and hold water in EIFS insulation mortar.

Get a quote →

Personal Care

Thickening, suspension and film forming for shampoos, body washes, liquid detergents, toothpaste and waterborne coatings.

Get a quote →

Also used in: ceramic glaze & ceramic extrusion · PVC suspension polymerization (protective colloid) · water-based coatings · underwater anti-washout concrete · pharmaceutical tablet coating.

Packaging & Loading

✓

Packaging — 25 kg PP woven bag with inner PE lining (custom bags & private label available)

✓

20GP — 12 tons palletized / 14 tons without pallets

✓

40HQ — 24 tons palletized / 28 tons without pallets

✓

Storage — keep in a cool, ventilated, dry place; protect from moisture, rain and sun

Main Applications

TA

Tile adhesive & tile grout

WP

Wall putty / skim coat / decorative mortar

EI

EIFS & thermal insulation mortar, machine sprayed mortar

SL

Self-leveling mortar, gypsum plaster

PC

Personal care, detergent, waterborne coatings

HPMC — Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose

Why HPMC Is the Core Additive in Dry-Mix Mortar

Typical Specifications

Main Viscosity Grades

Construction Series (C & high-water-retention series)

Functional Series (T series — easy-application / anti-sag)

Daily-Chemical Series (S series — personal care & coatings)

Pharma Series (D series — capsules & controlled release, on request)

Where HPMC Works Best

Tile Adhesive

Wall Putty

Mortar

Gypsum Plaster

Self-Leveling

Personal Care

Packaging & Loading

Main Applications

Request HPMC Quotation & Samples