Product Overview & China Production Capacity
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium (CMC-Na, CAS 9004-32-4) is a versatile anionic polymer excipient used in pharmaceutical formulations as a thickener, suspending agent, stabilizer, binder, and controlled-release matrix former. Its pseudoplastic rheological behavior makes it ideal for oral suspensions, ophthalmic preparations, topical gels, and sustained-release tablet matrices. Different viscosity grades (low, medium, high) serve distinct formulation functions.
China is a leading global producer of CMC with annual capacity exceeding 800,000 MT across all grades. Our pharmaceutical-grade CMC production in Shandong Province operates at 15,000 MT/year capacity, utilizing high-purity cotton linter and wood pulp cellulose as starting materials. Our proprietary etherification process delivers precise control over degree of substitution (DS) and viscosity grade.
Manufacturing Standards & Quality Assurance
Manufacturing is quality-certified with ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems. The product conforms to USP/NF, EP, BP, and ChP monograph requirements for Carmellose Sodium. Our facility also holds FSSC 22000 certification for food-grade production lines. All cellulose raw materials are sourced from certified sustainable forestry operations.
Quality control includes viscosity measurement (Brookfield rotational viscometry), degree of substitution determination, pH, sodium chloride and sodium glycolate content, heavy metals, loss on drying, and microbial limits testing. We offer viscosity grades from 5 mPa·s to 12,000 mPa·s (2% solution at 25°C) to match specific formulation requirements.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to slightly yellowish powder or granules |
| Assay (on dried basis) | 99.5% min (as sodium carboxymethylcellulose) |
| Degree of Substitution (DS) | 0.60–0.95 |
| Viscosity (2% solution, 25°C) | Specified per grade (5–12,000 mPa·s) |
| pH (1% solution) | 6.0–8.5 |
| Loss on Drying | ≤10.0% |
| Sodium Chloride | ≤0.5% |
| Sodium Glycolate | ≤0.4% |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤2 ppm |
Packaging & Export Logistics
Supplied in 25 kg multiply paper bags with PE inner liner, or 500 kg / 750 kg FIBCs for bulk orders. Store in a dry environment at ambient temperature (15–25°C) in tightly sealed containers. Shelf life is 36 months. Non-hazardous for transport. Approximately 12–14 MT per 20′ FCL container depending on grade and packaging configuration.
We export from Qingdao and Shanghai ports to over 60 countries. Complete regulatory documentation including COA, MSDS, DMF reference letters, and Halal/Kosher certificates is provided. We support OEM private labeling for distributor partners.
China Supply Advantage
China’s large-scale CMC production infrastructure and competitive cellulose raw material sourcing deliver 35–50% cost advantages for pharmaceutical-grade CMC compared to Western European and Japanese producers. Our dedicated pharma-grade production lines ensure no cross-contamination from industrial-grade products.
MOQ is 500 kg per viscosity grade with 10–15 business day lead times. We maintain ready stock of the most popular pharmaceutical grades (low, medium, high viscosity) for rapid dispatch. Custom DS and viscosity specifications are available for development orders of 200 kg and above. Contact us for grade selection assistance and competitive pricing.