Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a nonionic cellulose ether derived from natural plant cellulose and is widely used in many industries. As a multifunctional additive with excellent performance, HPMC plays an important role in the fields of construction, pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics due to its good thickening, water retention, film formation, stable suspension and other properties. In the cleaning product industry, HPMC is widely used in various liquid detergents, toilet cleaners, laundry beads, facial cleansing products, etc. to improve the product experience and functional performance.
1. Main physical and chemical properties of HPMC
HPMC is a white or off-white powder, odorless and tasteless, with good water solubility, and can be quickly dissolved in cold water to form a transparent or translucent colloidal solution. Its aqueous solution has strong viscosity and certain surface activity, and has good heat resistance, salt stability and enzyme degradability. In cleaning products, these characteristics enable it to maintain stable performance in a wide pH range, and it is especially suitable for compounding with various surfactants and functional additives.
2. The main functions and applications of HPMC in cleaning products
Thickener
One of the main functions of HPMC is to be used as a thickener in liquid detergents. It can significantly increase the viscosity of the product, giving the product a better visual effect and feel. For example, in kitchen cleaners or multi-purpose surface cleaners, adding an appropriate amount of HPMC can prevent the liquid from being too thin and causing serious loss, increase adhesion, and thus improve cleaning efficiency.
Suspending agent
For cleaners containing solid particle components (such as toilet cleaners or decontamination milk), HPMC has good suspension stability, which can prevent particle sedimentation and stratification, and improve product stability and consistency. This suspension ability also makes HPMC a very ideal thickening suspending agent in transparent cleaning formulas.
Film-forming property
HPMC has excellent film-forming property, which enables it to form a uniform film in some glass cleaners and metal surface care agents, which not only enhances the brightening effect, but also delays the re-attachment of dust and dirt. This function is particularly suitable for home care products, such as stainless steel surface sprays and mirror care agents.
Moisturizing and stability
In facial cleansers or skin care products (such as foaming facial cleansers and hand washes), HPMC can also moisturize and improve skin feel to prevent dry skin. At the same time, it can be used as a stabilizer for the system, which helps the compatibility and stability of emulsion-type or two-phase cleansers during storage.
Controlled release effect
In some high-end cleaning products, such as laundry beads or toilet balls containing fragrance microcapsules, HPMC can also be used as a controlled release carrier material to adjust the release rate of fragrance or active ingredients and prolong the cleaning effect.
3. Precautions for use
Although HPMC has a wide range of adaptability, the following points should still be noted when used in different cleaning products:
Dissolution method: HPMC requires a correct dissolution method. It is recommended to disperse it in cold water first and then slowly heat it to a suitable temperature to promote dissolution and avoid agglomeration.
pH stability: Although HPMC has good stability in the pH range of 3–11, it may degrade in extremely acidic or alkaline environments, and the system pH value needs to be evaluated.
Compatibility with other components: HPMC should be tested for compatibility with surfactants, solvents, enzymes and other components during compounding to avoid flocculation, precipitation and other phenomena.
4. Environmental protection and sustainability advantages
As a natural and biodegradable polymer material, HPMC is in line with the current green and environmentally friendly consumption trend. Its application in cleaning products not only improves the performance and safety of the products, but also plays a positive role in reducing the dependence on petrochemical raw materials. More and more environmentally friendly home brands are incorporating HPMC into their formulation systems.
HPMC plays an important role in modern cleaning products with its excellent physical properties and wide adaptability. From improving texture to enhancing efficacy to enhancing environmental protection properties, HPMC is becoming an indispensable functional additive in the cleaning industry. With the continuous advancement of the green consumption trend, the application space of HPMC in the formulation of future cleaning products still has great potential for expansion.
Post time: Apr-23-2025