Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC)

General Description
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a premium non-ionic, water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose. It is widely utilized in the personal care and daily chemical industries as a highly efficient thickening and stabilizing agent. It is designed to provide precise viscosity control and rheological modification while maintaining exceptional formulation stability.

Key Properties & Mechanisms

• Efficient Rheology Modification:
  Delivers significant viscosity enhancement at low dosage levels. It transforms liquid systems into smooth, uniform textures without agglomeration or roughness, ensuring a consistent product consistency.

• Superior Stability Profile:
  Exhibits robust stability across a broad pH range and demonstrates excellent tolerance to heat and electrolytes. It effectively prevents phase separation, syneresis (water separation), and sedimentation, ensuring long-term shelf life.

• High Compatibility:
  As a non-ionic polymer, it possesses exceptional compatibility with a wide array of surfactants, humectants, and active ingredients. It functions synergistically within complex formulations without interfering with the efficacy of other components.

Key Benefits

• Sensory Optimization:
  Improves the tactile attributes of the final product, imparting a fresh, non-tacky, and smooth application experience. It eliminates the sticky after-feel often associated with other thickeners.

• System Stabilization:
  Enhances the structural integrity of emulsions and suspensions, preventing stratification and ensuring homogeneity.

• Processing Efficiency:
  Readily soluble in water, making it convenient to incorporate during the manufacturing process.

Applications & Compatibility

• Target Industries: Personal Care (Skincare), Hair Care (Shampoos, Conditioners), Body Wash, and Household Cleaning Products.

• Formulation Suitability: A versatile core thickener for gels, lotions, creams, and surfactant-based systems.

• Primary Functions: Thickening/Viscosity Control, System Stabilization, Texture Enhancement, Film Forming.