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VietnameseThe market space of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) continues to expand, and global research has made new progress
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is an organic polymer compound, which refers to non-ionic cellulose ether made by etherification reaction of cellulose. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has the advantages of good chemical stability, good thermal stability, non-toxicity, and good hydrophilicity. It is mainly used in food, medicine, construction, chemical industry, cosmetics and other fields.
Etherification method is the mainstream preparation method of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, which can be subdivided into continuous etherification method, one-step etherification method, etc. The continuous etherification method refers to using alkali cellulose as raw material, adding etherification liquid, pressurizing, repeatedly heating and repeatedly condensing, and finally obtaining the finished product. Kalle of Germany and Dow of the United States are the earliest companies in the world to use etherification method to prepare hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In terms of local development, my country’s hydroxypropyl methylcellulose industry started late, but it has a rapid development momentum, and some companies have the ability to produce high-performance products.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has excellent comprehensive performance and is widely used in many fields. In the food field, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, as a food additive, has the functions of thickening, increasing nutrients, and preventing precipitation. It can be added to condiments, dairy products, and beverages; in the pharmaceutical field, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, as a pharmaceutical excipient, can be added to ophthalmic drugs; in the construction field, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, as a water-retaining agent, can be added to cement mortar. With the growing demand for applications, the market space for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose continues to expand. According to the “2024-2029 China Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Industry Market In-depth Research and Development Prospects Forecast Report” released by the Xinshijie Industry Research Center, the global hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market size will reach nearly US$1 billion in 2023.
In 2023, the research team of Stanford University in the United States successfully developed a hydrogel platform that can carry long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist preparations based on the interaction between polymer nanoparticles and hydrophobically modified hydroxypropyl methylcellulose derivatives. This research will be used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in the future. In the future, with the continuous deepening of research, the development trend of the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose industry will continue to improve.
