What is sodium cmc ?

Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) is a water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose, which is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants. CMC is produced by treating cellulose with sodium hydroxide and monochloroacetic acid, resulting in a product with carboxymethyl groups (-CH2-COOH) attached to the cellulose backbone.

CMC is commonly used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial applications, due to its unique properties. In food products, sodium CMC serves as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and emulsifier, improving texture, consistency, and shelf life. In pharmaceuticals, it is used as a binder, disintegrant, and viscosity modifier in tablets, suspensions, and ointments. In personal care products, it functions as a thickener, moisturizer, and film-forming agent in cosmetics, lotions, and toothpaste. In industrial applications, sodium CMC is utilized as a binder, rheology modifier, and fluid loss control agent in paints, detergents, textiles, and oil drilling fluids.

Sodium CMC is preferred over other forms of CMC (such as calcium CMC or potassium CMC) due to its high solubility and stability in aqueous solutions. It is available in various grades and viscosities to suit different applications and processing requirements. Overall, sodium CMC is a versatile and widely used additive with numerous applications across diverse industries.