Carboxy Methyl Cellulose

Other names: Carboxymethylcellulose, Cellulose gum, CMC

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC), also known as carboxymethyl cellulose or cellulose gum, is a chemical substance derived from cellulose, a raw material of plant origin. CMC is a white to whitish powder that is highly soluble in water and forms viscous solutions in water. This material is widely used in various industries due to its unique properties such as its ability to form gels and emulsions, high viscosity and stability at high temperatures.

Carboxymethylcellulose is an essential part of many products that come into contact with our lives on a daily basis. In the food industry it is used as a stabilizer, thickener and emulsifier in many foods including ice cream, jams, yogurts, baked goods and instant beverages. In the cosmetics industry, CMC is an important ingredient in toothpastes, soaps, shampoos and other personal care products due to its properties such as thickening and stabilizing. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as an excepient to improve the consistency and stabilization of dosage forms. CMC is also used in the paper industry, textile industry, ceramic industry and building materials industry, among others.