Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) and Methylcellulose (MC) are both cellulose derivatives widely used in various fields. They differ in chemical structure and therefore in application.

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)

1. Building Materials
HPMC is widely used in building materials, mainly as a thickener, water retainer and modifier in cement mortar, gypsum products and tile adhesive. It can improve construction performance, prevent cracking, increase bonding strength, and improve the water retention and construction properties of materials.

2. Medicine and Cosmetics
In the pharmaceutical field, HPMC is often used in the coating and molding of pharmaceutical tablets as a thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer. It has good biocompatibility and chemical stability. In cosmetics, HPMC is used as a thickener, stabilizer and film former, and is widely used in skin care products, shampoos and gels.

3. Food Industry
HPMC is used as a food additive in the food industry, mainly as a thickener, emulsifier, stabilizer and film former. It plays an important role in low-calorie and sugar-free foods, improving the taste and texture of food, and enhancing the water retention and freshness of food.

4. Other applications
HPMC is also used in coatings, inks, paper, agriculture, textiles and other fields. In coatings, it acts as a thickener and stabilizer to improve the fluidity and dispersibility of coatings. In agriculture, HPMC is used in sustained-release preparations of pesticides and fertilizers to improve the efficacy of drugs and fertilizers.

Methylcellulose (MC)

1. Building materials
The application of MC in building materials is similar to that of HPMC, mainly used as a thickener and water-retaining agent in cement mortar, gypsum products and tile adhesives. It can improve construction performance and enhance the water retention and bonding strength of materials.

2. Medicine and cosmetics
In the pharmaceutical field, MC is used as a disintegrant and sustained-release agent for drug tablets, as well as a thickener in eye drops. In cosmetics, MC is used as a thickener and stabilizer in skin care products, lotions and shampoos.

3. Food industry
The application of MC in the food industry is mainly concentrated in thickening, emulsification and stabilization. It is used in ice cream, jelly, jam and baked goods to improve the taste and texture of food, and improve the water retention and freshness of food.

4. Other applications
MC is also widely used in coatings, inks, paper, textiles and agriculture. In coatings, it is used as a thickener and stabilizer to improve the fluidity and dispersibility of coatings. In agriculture, MC is used in the sustained-release preparations of pesticides and fertilizers to improve the efficacy of drugs and fertilizers.

Although hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and methylcellulose (MC) are both cellulose derivatives, they play their own unique roles in different fields. HPMC is widely used in building materials, medicine, cosmetics and food industries due to its excellent thickening, water retention and stabilization properties. MC also has important applications in building materials, medicine, cosmetics and food industries due to its good thickening and stabilization properties. In addition, these two cellulose derivatives are also widely used in coatings, inks, paper, textiles and agriculture. Their application not only improves product performance and quality, but also increases production efficiency and economic benefits.