CULMINAL® methyl cellulose derivatives are cellulose ethers which when dissolved in water, offer a variety of functional properties. CULMINAL® products are granular powders and are used as thickeners, protective colloids, stabilisers, suspending aids and water-retention agents in many industrial applications. CULMINAL® is easily soluble in cold water though not soluble in hot water. CULMINAL® is a non-ionic cellulose ether and is compatible with many surfactants and polymers such as starch, guar and alginates. Solutions of CULMINAL® are pseudoplastic, withsome solutions showing thixotropy. The solution viscosity is a function of the temperature; as the latter increases viscosity decreases. When reaching the gel temperature gelling and flocculation of the polymer will occur. This process is reversible upon cooling. Viscosity is nearly independent of the pH over a wide range. CULMINAL cellulose ethers have many functional properties, such as water retention, thickening and stabilizing action, binding ability, adhesion, protective colloid, suspension effect and emulsion stabilisation and film formation.

Detailed information on the physical and chemical properties of CULMINAL® methylcellulose derivatives are given in Booklet 22.001, which is available on request. According to the EC legislation on dangerous substances and preparations CULMINAL products are not hazardous. Further data on the safety aspects of CULMINAL MC are available from Safety Data Sheet 21,283.