Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a white, flocculent powder that is non-toxic and odorless, with stable properties and easy solubility in water. Its aqueous solution is a neutral or alkaline transparent viscous liquid, soluble in other water-soluble gums and resins, and insoluble in organic solvents such as ethanol. CMC can be used as an adhesive, thickener, suspending agent, emulsifier, dispersant, stabilizer, sizing agent, etc.

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is the most widely produced, widely used, and most convenient product among cellulose ethers, commonly known as "industrial MSG".

1. For drilling, well-digging, and other projects involving oil and natural gas, mud containing CMC can form a thin, strong, and low-permeability filter cake on the wellbore wall, reducing water loss.
After adding CMC to the mud, the drilling rig can obtain a low initial shear force, making it easier for the mud to release the trapped gas, and simultaneously allowing the debris to be quickly discarded into the mud pit.
③ Like other suspended dispersions, drilling mud has a certain shelf life, and the addition of CMC can stabilize it and extend its shelf life.
④ Mud containing CMC is rarely affected by mold, so there is no need to maintain a high pH value or use preservatives.
⑤ Containing CMC as a treatment agent for drilling mud flushing fluid, it can resist contamination from various soluble salts.
⑥ The mud containing CMC has good stability and can still reduce water loss even at temperatures above 150℃.

CMC with high viscosity and high degree of substitution is suitable for mud with lower density, while CMC with low viscosity and high degree of substitution is suitable for mud with higher density. The selection of CMC should be determined based on different conditions such as mud type, region, and well depth.

2. In the textile and printing and dyeing industries, CMC is used as a sizing agent for light yarn sizing of cotton, silk, wool, chemical fibers, blends, and other strong fabrics;
3. In the paper industry, CMC can be used as a paper smoothing agent and sizing agent. Adding 0.1% to 0.3% of CMC to the pulp can enhance the tensile strength of the paper by 40% to 50%, increase the compressive bursting strength by 50%, and increase the flexibility by 4 to 5 times.
4. CMC can be used as a dirt adsorbent when added to synthetic detergents; in daily chemical industries such as the toothpaste industry, CMC in a glycerol aqueous solution is used as the base of toothpaste; in the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a thickener and emulsifier; after thickening, CMC aqueous solution is used for flotation mineral processing, etc.
5. In the ceramic industry, it can be used as a binder for blanks, a plasticizer, a suspending agent for glazes, and a fixing agent.
6. Used in construction to enhance water retention and strength
7. For the food industry, high-degree-of-substitution CMC is used as a thickener for ice cream, canned food, instant noodles, and a foam stabilizer for beer. It is also used as a thickener, binder, or stabilizer in the processing of jam, syrup, sherbet, Dim sum, ice cream drinks, and other products.
8. The pharmaceutical industry selects CMC with appropriate viscosity as a binder and disintegrant for tablets, and as a suspending agent for suspensions.

The high-end alternative product to carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is polyanionic cellulose (PAC), which is also an anionic cellulose ether. It boasts a higher degree and uniformity of substitution, shorter molecular chains, and a more stable molecular structure. Consequently, it exhibits superior resistance to salt, acid, calcium, and high temperatures, with enhanced solubility. PAC can be applied in all industries where CMC is used, offering better stability and meeting higher process requirements.