CelluloseEther (CelluloseEther) is made of cellulose which goes through the etherification reaction of one or more etherifying agents and is ground dry. Cellulose ethers can be divided into anionic, cationic and nonionic ethers according to the chemical structure of ether substituents. Ionic cellulose ether mainly carboxymethyl cellulose ether (CMC); Non-ionic cellulose ether mainly includes methyl cellulose ether (MC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether (HPMC) and hydroxyethyl cellulose ether (HC). Non-ionic ether is divided into water-soluble ether and oil-soluble ether, and non-ionic water-soluble ether is mainly used in mortar products. In the presence of calcium ions, ionic cellulose ether is not stable, so it is rarely used in dry mixed mortar products with cement, hydrated lime as cementing materials. The non-ionic water-soluble cellulose ether is widely used in the building materials industry because of its suspension stability and water retention.

1. Chemical properties of cellulose ether

Each cellulose ether has the basic structure of cellulose, the dehydrated glucose structure. In the process of producing cellulose ether, the cellulose fiber is first heated in alkaline solution, and then treated with etherifying agent. The fibrous reaction product is purified and ground to form a uniform powder of certain fineness.

In the process of MC production, only methane chloride was used as etherifying agent. In addition to methane chloride, propylene oxide is used to produce HPMC to obtain hydroxypropyl substituent groups. Various cellulose ethers have different methyl and hydroxypropyl substitution ratios which affect the solubility of cellulose ether solution and the thermal gel temperature.

2. Application scenarios of cellulose ether

Cellulose ether is a kind of non-ionic semi-synthetic polymer, with water solubility and solvent, in different industries caused by the role is different, for example, in chemical building materials, it has the following composite role:

① water retaining agent ② thickening agent ③ leveling property ④ film formation property ⑤ binder

In the polyvinyl chloride industry, it is an emulsifier, dispersant; In the pharmaceutical industry, it is a kind of binder and slow and controlled release skeleton material, because cellulose has a variety of composite effects, so it is the most widely used field. The following focuses on the use of cellulose ether in various building materials and the role.

(1) latex paint:

In LATEX paint line, WANT to choose hydroxyethyl cellulose, the general specification of such viscosity is RT30000- 50000CPS, it and HBR250 specification is corresponding, the reference dosage is generally 1.5‰-2‰ left and right sides. The main role of hydroxyethyl in latex paint is to thicken, prevent pigment gelation, contribute to the dispersion of pigments, latex, stability, and can improve the viscosity of components, contribute to the construction of leveling performance: Hydroxyethyl cellulose is convenient to use. It can be dissolved in both cold and hot water, and is not affected by PH value. It can be safely used in PI values from 2 to 12. This method should choose hydroxyethyl cellulose delayed type, dissolution time of more than 30 minutes of hydroxyethyl cellulose, its use steps are as follows: (1) to have high should cut blender container quantitative pure water (2) the internal force of people began to low-speed mixing, hydroxyethyl uniform slowly at the same time to join in the solution of (3) continue to stir until all wet granular materials (4) to join other additives and alkaline additives (5) stir until completely dissolved all hydroxyethyl, add the other components of formula, grinding to the finished product. Ii, equipped with mother liquor waiting: this method can choose instant type, and has mildew – proof effect of cellulose. This method has the advantage of greater flexibility, can be directly added to latex paint, preparation method is the same as ①- ④ steps. ⅲ. Prepare porridge for use: because organic solvents are bad solvents for hydroxyethyl (insoluble), so these solvents can be used to prepare porridge. The MOST COMMONLY USED ORGANIC SOLVENT IS THE ORGANIC LIQUID IN LATEX PAINT FORMULA, BE LIKE GLYCOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL AND FILM-forming AGENT (LIKE DIETHYLENE glycol butyl acetic acid GREASE), CELLULOSE OF HYDROXYETHYL OF CONGER MATERIAL CAN JOIN PAINT DIRECTLY IN, AFTER JOINING STILL CONTINUE STIRRING TO DISSOLVE COMPLETELY SO FAR.

(2) in the wall scraping putty:

At present, the environmental protection type putty, which is water-resistant and scrubbing resistant in most cities, has been paid attention to by people basically. In the past few years, because the putty made of building glue radiates formaldehyde gas to damage people’s health, the building glue is made of polyvinyl alcohol and formaldehyde for acetal reaction. Therefore, this material is gradually eliminated by people, and the replacement of this material is cellulose ether series products, that is to say, the development of environmental protection building materials, cellulose is the only one kind of material. In the water resistant putty is divided into two kinds of dry powder putty and putty paste, these two kinds of putty generally want to choose modified methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl two kinds, viscosity specifications are generally between 3000-60000CPS the most appropriate, the main role of cellulose in the putty is water retention, bonding, lubrication and so on. Because the putty formula of each manufacturer is not the same, some are gray calcium, light calcium, white cement, some are gypsum powder, gray calcium, light calcium, so the specification viscosity and infiltration of cellulose of the two formulas are not the same, the general amount of adding is about 2‰-3‰. In blow wall be bored with child construction, the wall base has certain absorbent (brick wall of the bibulous rate was 13%, the concrete is 3-5%), coupled with the evaporation of the outside world, so if be bored with child water loss too fast, would lead to crack or the phenomenon such as pollen, so that the strength of the putty weakened, therefore, after joining cellulose ether will solve this problem. But the quality of the filler, especially the calcium ash, is also extremely important. Because of the high viscosity of cellulose, it also enhances the floating force of putty, and avoids the phenomenon of flow hanging in construction, and it is more comfortable and labor-saving after scraping. In the powder putty cellulose ether to be appropriate to add more factory points, its production, use are more convenient, filling material and additives for dry powder can be evenly mixed, construction is also more convenient, site water distribution, with how much with how much.

(3) Concrete mortar:

In concrete mortar, really achieve ultimate strength, must make the cement hydration reaction completely, especially in the summer, in the construction of the concrete mortar water loss too fast, completely hydrated measures on curing water, this method is a waste of water resource and inconvenient operation, the key is just on the surface, water and hydration is still not completely, so the ways to solve this problem, In mortar concrete, add eight water-retaining agent cellulose is generally selected hydroxypropyl methyl or methyl cellulose, viscosity specifications between 20000- 60000CPS, add amount of 2%- 3%. About, the water retention rate can be increased to more than 85%, the use method in mortar concrete for dry powder evenly mixed into the water can be.

(4) In painting plaster, bonding plaster and caulking plaster:

With the rapid development of the construction industry, people’s demand for new building materials is also increasing day by day, because of the increase of people’s awareness of environmental protection and the continuous improvement of construction efficiency, cementitious materials gypsum products have been rapidly developed. At present the most common gypsum products have stucco gypsum, bonded gypsum, embedded gypsum, tile binder. Stucco plaster is a kind of good quality interior wall and roof plastering material, the wall with it is smooth and delicate, does not drop powder and base bond firmly, no cracking and falling off phenomenon, and has fire prevention function; Adhesive gypsum is a new type of building light plate binder, is gypsum as the base material, add a variety of people add force mouth agent and made of adhesive material, it is suitable for all kinds of inorganic building wall materials between the bond, with non-toxic, tasteless, early strength fast setting, bonding and other characteristics, is the building board, block construction supporting materials; Gypsum sealant is the filler for the gap between gypsum plates and the repair of the wall and cracks. These gypsum products have a range of different functions, in addition to gypsum and related fillers play a role, the key issue is that the added cellulose ether additives play a leading role. Because GESSO IS DIVIDED INTO THOSE WHO HAVE NO WATER GESSO AND HALF WATER GESSO, DIFFERENT GESSO IS DIFFERENT TO THE PERFORMANCE EFFECT OF THE PRODUCT, THICKENING, WATER RETENTION, SLOW SETTING IS DECIDING THE QUALITY OF GESSO BUILDING MATERIALS. The common problem of these materials is empty drum cracking, the initial strength is not up to this problem, to solve this problem, is to choose the type of cellulose and retarder compound use method, in this respect, the general choice of methyl or hydroxypropyl methyl 30000– 60000CPS, the amount of 1.5%– 2%. Between, cellulose from the focus is water retention retarded lubrication. However, in this process, it is not possible to rely on cellulose ether as retarder, and citric acid retarder must be added to the mixture so that the initial strength will not be affected. Water retention rate generally refers to the amount of natural water loss without external water absorption. If the wall is dry, the base surface water absorption and natural evaporation make the material lose water too fast, and there will also be empty drum and cracking phenomenon. This use method for dry powder mixed use, if the solution can refer to the solution preparation method.

(5) thermal insulation mortar

Thermal insulation mortar is a new wall insulation material in northern China. It is a wall material synthesized by thermal insulation material, mortar and binder. In this material, cellulose plays an important role in bonding and increasing strength. Generally, high viscosity methyl cellulose (about 10000EPS) is selected, and the dosage is generally between 2‰-3‰. The method of use is dry powder mixing method.

(6) interface agent

Interface agent selection HPMC20000cps, tile binder selection of more than 60000CPS, in the interface agent focus on thickening agent, can improve the tensile strength and arrow strength and other effects. It is used as water retaining agent in tile bonding to prevent tile from losing water too fast and falling off.

3. Industrial chain

(1) Upstream industry
The main raw materials needed to produce cellulose ether include refined cotton (or wood pulp) and some commonly used chemical solvents, such as propylene oxide, methane chloride, liquid alkali, alkali, ethylene oxide, toluene and other auxiliary materials. Upstream industry enterprises in this industry include refined cotton, wood pulp production enterprises and some chemical enterprises. The fluctuation of the prices of the main raw materials mentioned above will have different effects on the production cost and selling price of cellulose ether.
The cost of refined cotton is higher. Taking building materials grade cellulose ether as an example, during the reporting period, the proportion of refined cotton cost in the sales cost of building materials grade cellulose ether was 31.74%, 28.50%, 26.59% and 26.90%, respectively. Refined cotton price fluctuation will affect the production cost of cellulose ether. The main raw material of refined cotton is cotton fleece. Cotton short pile is one of the by-products in the process of cotton production, which is mainly used in the production of cotton pulp, refined cotton, nitrocellulose and other products. The utilization value and use difference of cotton short fleece and cotton are big, its price is obviously lower than cotton price, but it has certain correlation with cotton price fluctuation. Cotton short fleece price fluctuation will affect the price of refined cotton.
The sharp fluctuation of the price of refined cotton will affect the production cost, product pricing and profitability of enterprises in this industry to different degrees. When the price of refined cotton is relatively high and the price of wood pulp is relatively low, wood pulp can be used as a substitute and supplement of refined cotton to reduce the cost, which is mainly used to produce cellulose ether with low viscosity, such as medical and food grade cellulose ether. According to the website of the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s cotton planting area was 4.35 million hectares in 2013, and the country’s cotton output was 6.31 million tons. According to the statistics of China Cellulose Industry Association, in 2014, the total output of refined cotton produced by major domestic refined cotton producers was 332,000 tons, with abundant raw material supply.
The main raw materials for the production of graphite chemical equipment are steel and graphite carbon. The price of steel and graphite carbon accounted for the production cost of graphite chemical equipment is higher. The price fluctuation of such raw materials will have a certain impact on the production cost and selling price of graphite chemical equipment.
(2) cellulose ether downstream industry
Cellulose ether as “industrial monosodium glutamate”, cellulose ether added proportion is low, a wide range of applications, downstream industries scattered in all walks of life in the national economy.
Under normal circumstances, the downstream construction industry and real estate industry will have a certain impact on the demand growth of building materials grade cellulose ether. When the domestic construction industry and real estate industry grow faster, the domestic market demand for building materials grade cellulose ether grows faster. When the growth of the domestic construction industry and real estate industry slows down, the domestic market demand for building materials grade cellulose ether will slow down, making the competition in the industry more intense, and accelerating the process of survival of the fittest of enterprises in the industry.
Since 2012, the demand for building materials grade cellulose ether in the domestic market has not fluctuated significantly under the environment of slowing growth of the domestic construction industry and real estate industry. The main reasons are: first, the overall scale of the domestic construction industry and real estate industry, the total market demand is large; The main consumption market of building materials grade cellulose ether is gradually expanding from economically developed areas and first-tier and second-tier cities to the central and western regions and third-tier cities, and the potential and space of domestic demand growth are expanding. Second, the amount of cellulose ether added in the proportion of building materials cost is low, a single customer consumption is small, customers are scattered, easy to produce rigid demand, the total demand in the downstream market is relatively stable; Three, building materials market price change is affecting cellulose ether demand structure change, the important factors that cellulose ether level since 2012, building materials price decline is larger, the high-end products in the price drop is larger, attract more customers purchasing selection, increased the demand for high-end products in the, and squeezing the ordinary type products market demand and price space.
The development of the pharmaceutical industry and the growth rate of the pharmaceutical industry will affect the demand change of pharmaceutical grade cellulose ether. The improvement of people’s living standards and the developed food industry are conducive to driving the market demand for food-grade cellulose ether.

 
6. The development trend of cellulose ether

Due to the structural differences in market demand for cellulose ether, enterprises with different strength can coexist. According to the characteristics of structural differentiation of market demand, domestic cellulose ether manufacturers combined with their own strength to adopt different competition strategies, but also a good grasp of the market development trend and direction.

(1) To ensure the stability of product quality will still be the core competitive points of cellulose ether enterprises
Cellulose ether in the industry of most downstream enterprises in the cost of production is relatively small, but has a greater impact on product quality. Middle and high end customer groups in the use of a brand model of cellulose ether before the formulation of the experiment. After forming a stable formula, it is usually not easy to replace other brands of products, but also to put forward higher requirements for the quality stability of cellulose ether. This phenomenon is more prominent in domestic and foreign large building materials production enterprises, pharmaceutical excipients, food additives, PVC and other high-end fields. In order to improve the competitiveness of products, production enterprises must ensure that the supply of different batches of cellulose ether can maintain quality stability, in order to form a better market reputation.
(2) To improve the level of product application technology is the development direction of domestic cellulose ether enterprises
In the case of cellulose ether production technology is increasingly mature, a higher level of application technology is conducive to enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of enterprises, the formation of stable customer relations. Well-known cellulose ether enterprises in developed countries mainly adopt the competitive strategy of “facing large high-end customers + developing downstream use and usage”, develop cellulose ether use and use formula, and configure a series of products according to different subdivided application fields to facilitate customer use, and thereby cultivate downstream market demand. The competition of cellulose ether enterprises in developed countries has entered into the field of application technology from products.

Cellulose ether, known as “industrial monosodium glutamate”, has the advantages of wide use, small unit dosage, good modification effect, ring friendly and so on.
It is widely used in building materials, medicine, food and textile