Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) has become an exceedingly popular ingredient in many personal care and household cleaning products. This versatile material, derived from all-natural plant cellulose, has incredible properties that improve the performance of various formulations.

Let's explore HPMC, its characteristics and capabilities, and how it’s used in two common products: liquid detergents and hand sanitizers.

What is HPMC?

HPMC stands for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. It is a chemical modification of cellulose, the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. Cellulose is a key structural component of plant cell walls and gives trees, plants, and vegetables their structure and rigidity.

To produce HPMC, natural cellulose derived from wood pulp or cotton is treated with caustic and reacted with methyl chloride and propylene oxide. This chemical process generates the HPMC polymer, which has some rather unique and valuable properties compared to regular cellulose.

HPMC is:

● Non-toxic and biodegradable

● Soluble in cold water

● Able to achieve high viscosity at low concentrations

● Surface active and an emulsifying agent

● Film-forming and adhesive

● Resistant to oils, grease, and heat up to 120°C

These characteristics make HPMC an incredibly versatile ingredient for a wide range of commercial, industrial, and consumer products – which is why it has found its way into many popular applications from food to pharma.

And that includes everyday household items like liquid detergents and hand sanitizers.

HPMC in Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizers experienced a surge in awareness and demand worldwide following the COVID-19 outbreak. Using alcohol-based sanitizers became a significant public safety measure to help reduce pathogen transmission.

HPMC has played a supporting yet impactful role in many of the most popular hand sanitizer products available today.

Key Functions of HPMC in Hand Sanitizers

HPMC performs several vital jobs in hand sanitizer formulations:

Thickening Agent

One of the most common uses of HPMC in hand sanitizers is as a thickening agent. HPMC can increase the viscosity of aqueous solutions and achieve a gel-like texture. This allows the formulation to:

● Have better adherence to skin

● Reduce drippage and waste

● Be easily dispensed in the right amounts

Thickening the sanitizer base to a smooth, luxurious gel makes application more manageable and more controlled. This improves efficacy as it ensures complete and even coverage on hands.

Enhances Foam and Texture

In some hand sanitizer formulations, HPMC helps boost foaming capacity. As the gel interacts with hands, it generates a rich lather while retaining its viscosity. This contact form is ideal as it increases contact time over a larger skin surface area.

The silky, non-sticky texture provided by HPMC also makes the hand sanitizing experience more pleasant. This increases compliance among users who need to disinfect their hands frequently. Healthcare personnel have significantly benefitted from the enhanced sensory profile.

Skin Compatibility

Unlike some thickeners, which can irritate with repeated use, HPMC has excellent skin compatibility. It is non-sensitizing and can help counter skin dryness induced by the high alcohol content in most hand sanitizers.

The HPMC film's moisture retention makes it suitable for formulations intended for continuous, long-term use without risk of skin damage.

Biodegradability and Safety

HPMC itself is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and completely biodegradable. This makes it ideal for products requiring high safety and environmental sustainability. Hand sanitizers are now a necessity across healthcare centers, offices,the  hospitality sector, and homes.

The high use of these products increases environmental impact, and HPMC helps mitigate this without compromising on efficacy and experience.

How Does HPMC Enhance Hand Sanitizer Performance?

To summarize, HPMC:

● Thickens formulations for better application

● Improves foam and texture for easier spreading and rub-in

● Enhances skin feel to increase compliance

● Retains moisture to prevent dryness

● Offers biodegradability and safety for user and ecosystem

The unique physicochemical characteristics of HPMC check many boxes for an effective, environment-friendly hand sanitizer. It is among the most versatile ingredients available for developers trying to address emerging market needs.

As the demand and innovation in hand hygiene products accelerate, we are likely to see more advanced utilization of HPMC to craft formulations that are efficacious, appealing and sustainable.

HPMC in Liquid Detergents

Much like hand sanitizers, liquid detergents for laundry and household cleaning also extensively use HPMC, especially in developed countries.

Laundry detergents require a careful balance of various surface-active compounds, builders, bleaches, enzymes, and specialty ingredients to deliver cleaning across diverse stains, fabrics, and wash conditions. Most formulations are complex liquids containing several active agents.

This is where HPMC lends its multifunctional properties to aid overall stability, efficiency, shelf life, and consumer experience.

Why Add HPMC to Liquid Detergents?

HPMC is a workhorse ingredient for liquid detergent developers, driving several key benefits:

Viscosity Control

Liquid detergents need an optimal viscosity range to stay uniform and flow through pipelines and dispensers without segregation. Low viscosity makes the liquid runny, while high viscosity makes it thick and hard to dispense.

HPMC is used to build viscosity and achieve the right consistency for stability and performance. This also allows modulating thickness based on intended application – for example, detergents for hand wash may require a lower viscosity than machine wash formulations.

Stabilization

The various surfactants, polymers, solvents and other components in liquid detergents can be challenging to combine into a homogeneous solution. Over time, the product components and layers separate, which compromises cleaning performance.

HPMC prevents phase separation and keeps the liquid detergent well-mixed during production, storage, and use. This stabilization ensures the full benefits of the different detergent ingredients are available to lift dirt and stains.

Improves Cleaning Performance

Interestingly, HPMC also actively participates in boosting detergency by interacting with grime and soils. Its surface activity helps disperse and emulsify oils and particulate dirt efficiently.

The result is higher detergent efficiency and better cleaning power against stubborn grease and stains, including in cold water. HPMC’s grease resistance and thermal stability allow it to maintain performance even at higher temperatures.

User Experience

HPMC helps make liquid detergents feel thicker and creamier, which consumers perceive as more premium. It also provides a smooth after-feel on laundry, adding to its user appeal.

The viscosity and slight pearlescence offered by HPMC also make measuring and pouring liquid detergents easier from bottles. This improves convenience and satisfaction in addition to creating a luxurious sensory profile.

The Versatility of HPMC in Liquid Detergents

In summary, adding HPMC to liquid detergents and cleaning solutions results in:

● Consistent product viscosity and flow

● Stability against phase separation

● Boosts grease dispersion and emulsification

● Allows easier measuring and pouring

● Makes liquids feel thicker and richer

● Adds pearlescence for aesthetics

This combination of functional and experiential benefits makes HPMC a versatile tool for detergent formulators. Its multi-pronged impact on several formulation and performance factors produce well-rounded products.

Liquid detergents worldwide leverage HPMC for its flexibility in optimizing stability, user experience, and environmental metrics simultaneously. Indeed, entire classes of detergents, from laundry to household to industrial cleaning, regularly utilize HPMC as an adjuvant.

As the market continues to demand even higher standards of sustainability and experience from detergents, HPMC is sure to play an integral role thanks to its green credentials and sensory advantages.

Experience Advanced Performance with Haoshuo HPMC

Haoshuo Chemical offers a high-quality HPMC explicitly designed for hand sanitizer formulations. Their daily chemical grade HPMC delivers advanced functionality to meet the demands of the booming hand hygiene market.

Customized for Optimal Hand Sanitizers

Haoshuo's HPMC can be customized to produce hand sanitizers with the ideal texture and light transmittance without compromising on active ingredient compatibility. It helps make crystal clear gels with a luxurious silky feel that spreads quickly on hands.

Broad Formulation Flexibility

The product works with a variety of commonly used surfactants and antimicrobial actives at different concentrations. It has excellent stability over a wide pH range retaining thickness and moisture. This allows flexibility in crafting formulations with the desired efficacy and sensory profile.

Sustainable and Compliant

An important benefit is that Haoshuo’s HPMC for hand sanitizers simplifies the development of sustainable sanitizers. Being biodegradable with eco-friendly credentials, it minimizes the environmental impact of these high-use products.

Additionally, as Haoshuo’s Daily chemical grade HPMC  is REACH-compliant, hand sanitizer manufacturers can quickly expand into European markets. With strong technical expertise, Haoshuo can guide customers through regulation standards in various countries.

All-Round Performance

Overall, Haoshuo hpmc is an effective, stable thickener that can create the next generation of hand sanitizers.