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Hydroxyethylcellulose

Hydroxyethylcellulose suppliers and sourcing guide

Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is a nonionic, water-soluble cellulose ether. It is made by treating cellulose from wood pulp or cotton linters with sodium hydroxide and reacting it with ethylene oxide, then neutralizing, washing, drying and milling the product. It is a white to off-white granular powder that dissolves in hot or cold water to give clear, viscous solutions. Brands buy it by viscosity grade to thicken shampoos, body washes, gels and lotions.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Hydroxyethyl cellulose · HEC · Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether · CAS 9004-62-0
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of hydroxyethylcellulose

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Viscosity grades

    Grades differ by molecular weight, from low-viscosity types for sprays to very high-viscosity types for gels, and are sold by the viscosity of a stated solution.

  • Surface-treated grades

    Powder treated (often with glyoxal) to delay hydration so it disperses in water without lumps before it thickens; untreated grades need slow addition or pre-dispersion.

  • Pharmaceutical (NF / EP) grade

    Material made and tested to the compendial monograph for drugs and natural health products.

  • Hydrophobically modified HEC

    Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose and similar modified grades that also thicken through association with oils and surfactants; these are separate ingredients with their own INCI names.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity (IR)
Infrared spectrum matched against a reference.
Viscosity
Brookfield viscosity of a 1% or 2% solution at a stated temperature; the main spec for the grade and the number to record per lot.
pH
pH of a 1% solution.
Loss on drying
Moisture content, which affects how much HEC is in each weighed kilogram.
Residue on ignition
Inorganic salts (mainly sodium acetate or chloride from neutralization) as ash.
Glyoxal and microbiology
Residual glyoxal for surface-treated grades, plus total aerobic count and yeast and mold.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep HEC sealed in its lined bag or drum in a dry place away from heat, because the powder takes up moisture and then lumps when dispersed. It is chemically stable as a dry powder, but solutions can lose viscosity through microbial or enzyme attack, so finished products need preservation. Shelf life follows the supplier's retest date, with viscosity repeated on older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Solution viscosity varies within each grade's range, so record the COA viscosity for each lot and check a test batch when changing lots in viscosity-sensitive products. Keep the treated or untreated status on the specification, since swapping them changes how the powder must be added.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists hydroxyethyl cellulose under the proper name Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether, with non-medicinal purposes including binder, gelling agent, thickening agent and viscosity increasing agent.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • The same database entry classes hydroxyethyl cellulose as a non-NHP because it is not a naturally occurring substance included in Schedule 1 of the Natural Health Products Regulations.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Hydroxyethylcellulose suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking hydroxyethylcellulose suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell hydroxyethylcellulose? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of hydroxyethylcellulose can brands buy?

Common forms include viscosity grades, surface-treated grades, pharmaceutical (NF / EP) grade and hydrophobically modified HEC. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for hydroxyethylcellulose include?

Expect identity (IR), viscosity, pH, loss on drying, residue on ignition and glyoxal and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should hydroxyethylcellulose be stored?

Keep HEC sealed in its lined bag or drum in a dry place away from heat, because the powder takes up moisture and then lumps when dispersed. It is chemically stable as a dry powder, but solutions can lose viscosity through microbial or enzyme attack, so finished products need preservation. Shelf life follows the supplier's retest date, with viscosity repeated on older stock.

What is the regulatory status of hydroxyethylcellulose?

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists hydroxyethyl cellulose under the proper name Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether, with non-medicinal purposes including binder, gelling agent, thickening agent and viscosity increasing agent. The same database entry classes hydroxyethyl cellulose as a non-NHP because it is not a naturally occurring substance included in Schedule 1 of the Natural Health Products Regulations.

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