Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is the sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, an anionic cellulose ether with carboxymethyl group substitution on the cellulose chain. This plant-based polymer is nontoxic and soluble in water and some organic solvents and is typically used as a thickener and binder ingredient in many different applications. These applications include coatings, inks, gel packs, drilling mud, and battery electrodes. In food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications, CMC is known as cellulose gum. In coating and ink applications, CMC is an additive that helps stabilize formulations and increase viscosity to specified levels to increase workability. Higher molecular weight versions of CMC form drain-safe gels, which are useful in creating gel packs for food and medical applications. In recent years, ultralow-impurity CMC has been developed as a binder in graphite slurries used to construct higher-performance anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Sodium CMC is sold under the TEXTURECEL™ line of products.