Understanding HPMC CAS Number: Key to Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Identification and Use

Understanding HPMC CAS Number: Why It Matters More Than You Think

Imagine working with a material that's key to countless industries, yet its identity boils down to a simple numerical code—the HPMC CAS number. Although it might sound a bit like alphabet soup or a chemistry trivia question, this number is crucial in identifying Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC), a versatile compound used extensively in food, pharmaceuticals, construction, and more. Globally, understanding this little code unlocks a world of standardization, safety, and innovation, impacting everything from health products to building materials.

Simply put, knowing the HPMC CAS number helps manufacturers, regulators, and researchers speak the same language. This ensures quality control and compliance across borders. For industries increasingly connected but rigorously regulated, the number is a small yet mighty tool to maintain consistency while scaling production or launching new products.

Mini takeaway: The HPMC CAS number is more than just a number—it's a global identifier that simplifies complex industries and safeguards product integrity worldwide.

The Global Context of the HPMC CAS Number

On a global scale, the HPMC CAS number acts like a passport for Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose. According to the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), every chemical compound is assigned a unique number. This makes international trade, regulatory checks, and research far easier — a necessity in today’s interconnected markets. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and organizations like ISO (International Organization for Standardization) frequently reference these numbers in their standards.

To put it in perspective, the global HPMC market exceeded USD 800 million recently and is expected to grow steadily, driven by expanding pharmaceutical and construction sectors (stat from industry reports, roughly). Yet, the challenge lies in ensuring that all players—big manufacturers, small regulatory labs, and research units—are on the same page. Without the CAS number, you’re prone to confusing one grade or purity for another, which can risk safety and efficacy.

Hence, the HPMC CAS number is central to overcoming these challenges and streamlining quality assurance across continents.

Mini takeaway: By anchoring chemical identity globally, the HPMC CAS number fosters reliable trade, innovation, and regulation—key to industries worth billions worldwide.

What Exactly Is the HPMC CAS Number?

The HPMC CAS number is the unique chemical identifier assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose. To put it simply, CAS numbers serve as universal IDs for chemical substances. HPMC’s assigned CAS number is 9004-65-3.

HPMC itself is a semi-synthetic, inert, viscoelastic polymer used primarily as an additive or binder. It’s popular because it’s non-toxic, non-allergenic, and resistant to many common chemical reactions. Industries love it for its thickening, film-forming, emulsifying, and stabilizing properties.

Think of it as a secret weapon in your pharmaceutical coatings, gluten-free baking, or even wall plaster. But when you want to specify exactly which chemical you need—a grade, a purity standard, or regulatory documents—the CAS number cuts through the ambiguity.

Mini takeaway: The HPMC CAS number 9004-65-3 is the chemical’s unchanging fingerprint, allowing easy, accurate identification worldwide.

Core Components and Characteristics of HPMC

1. Solubility and Viscosity

HPMC dissolves in cold water but not hot water, creating unique viscosity profiles crucial in pharmaceutical tablets and construction mortars. The rheological flexibility lets formulators tweak texture and release rates.

2. Thermal Stability

Its thermal resilience allows HPMC-based products to endure heat up to approximately 180°C without significant degradation—ideal for industrial processes.

3. Compatibility and Safety

Being non-toxic and hypoallergenic, HPMC is approved by regulatory bodies such as the FDA and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for use in food and drug products.

4. Film-Forming Ability

HPMC forms clear, strong films that serve as protective coatings on pills or add moisture resistance in construction contexts.

5. Biodegradability and Environmental Impact

Derived from cellulose, HPMC is biodegradable, aligning with today’s increasing demand for green and sustainable materials.

Property	Description	Typical Value
CAS Number	Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Identifier	9004-65-3
Solubility	Soluble in cold water, insoluble in hot water	Variable viscosity up to 100,000 cps
Thermal Stability	Stable up to 180°C	N/A
pH Range	Stable between pH 3-11	7 (neutral)
Biodegradability	Biodegradable cellulose derivative	Yes

Mini takeaway: These underlying properties explain why HPMC is a material chameleon, fitting in seamlessly across sectors.

Real-World Applications of HPMC Around the Globe

From a bakery in Italy to a pharmaceutical facility in India, chances are HPMC plays a silent but pivotal role. The compound’s versatility finds it used in:

• Pharmaceuticals: Controlled drug release coatings and capsule fillers used worldwide.
• Food Industry: Gluten-free product thickening and shelf-life extending agents (yes, it’s food-safe!).
• Construction: Used in mortars and cement for water retention and workability enhancement.
• Personal Care: Found in shampoos and lotions as a viscosity modifier.
• Paints & Coatings: Ensures stable and smooth application properties.

For example, after the 2019 Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, emergency pharmaceutical supplies packed with HPMC-based binders ensured medicines retained efficacy during transport and storage—no small feat in harsh tropical conditions. Similarly, in the dry deserts of the Middle East, HPMC enhances gypsum plaster performance to combat cracking and water tolerance.

Mini takeaway: Whether for life-saving drugs or sturdy walls, HPMC touches lives in diverse and critical ways worldwide.

Advantages & Long-Term Value: More Than Just Chemistry

Why do industries keep turning to materials identified by numbers like the HPMC CAS number? Because the benefits stack up. Pretty high, actually.

• Cost Efficiency: Extends shelf life and improves product stability, lowering waste.
• Sustainability: Made from cellulose, it supports environmental goals over synthetic polymers.
• Reliability: Consistency in batches leads to consumer trust—essential in medicine or food.
• Safety and Dignity: In humanitarian aid, HPMC-based products fulfill standards that preserve dignity through quality.
• Innovation Friendly: Compatible with new tech like 3D printing inks or digital pharmaceuticals.

On a more personal level, realizing that something as small as a polymer code can impact billions of people’s health, comfort, and environment is oddly reassuring.

Emerging Trends Around HPMC and Its CAS Number

As green chemistry gains momentum, researchers are tweaking HPMC to increase biodegradability or reduce energy input during manufacture. Smart packaging with HPMC films is a hot topic for reducing plastic waste.

Automation and AI-powered quality control now often scan and verify materials through identifiers like the HPMC CAS number, speeding up compliance checks. Digital supply chains also rely heavily on clean chemical IDs to track materials globally.

Moreover, hybrid biomaterials combining HPMC with nanocellulose or synthetic polymers are emerging, aiming for ultra-high strength or targeted drug delivery.

Facing Down Challenges: What Next for HPMC?

Despite the many advantages, sourcing pure HPMC and verifying its grade universally can sometimes be tricky. Different manufacturers produce slightly different grades, and regulatory standards rarely line up perfectly across countries.

Innovations like blockchain for supply chain transparency and international standard harmonization efforts seek to overcome these hurdles. Quality testing advances and open data sharing are also fundamental fixes here, making it easier to verify materials solely by their CAS number.

Comparing Leading HPMC Vendors

Vendor	CAS Number Compliance	Grade Variety	Global Reach	Price Range
Vendor A	100% Verified	Pharma & Food grades	Asia, America, Europe	Mid-High
Vendor B	Partial Certification	Construction & Cosmeceutical	Local markets	Low-Mid
Vendor C	Fully Certified	Broad Spectrum	Global	High

Frequently Asked Questions About the HPMC CAS Number

Q: Why is the HPMC CAS number important when buying Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose?

A: The CAS number (9004-65-3) confirms the exact chemical you’re purchasing. Because HPMC is produced in numerous grades for different uses, referencing this number ensures consistency, regulatory compliance, and safety in your final product.

Q: Can variations in HPMC grade affect product performance?

A: Absolutely. Different substitution levels and molecular weights change viscosity and thermal properties. Always check the CAS number alongside grade and purity specs to get the right fit for your application.

Q: How do international regulations treat HPMC and its CAS number?

A: Most countries use CAS numbers to catalogue and regulate chemicals, making cross-border trade easier. Products containing HPMC must meet local approvals, and the CAS number helps verify identity for customs and safety agencies.

Q: Is it possible to trace HPMC authenticity through the CAS number?

A: Yes, in combination with certificates of analysis, batch numbers, and supply chain tracking systems, the CAS number is a key identifier used to fight counterfeits and guarantee material quality.

Q: Where can I find detailed HPMC CAS number data for formulation purposes?

Check hpmc cas number resources, chemical safety databases, and product datasheets. Always consult multiple references to cross-verify for your specific industrial or research needs.

Conclusion: The Small Number Making Large Impacts

The HPMC CAS number is a modest code but a powerhouse in chemical identification, global industry, and regulatory clarity. Through it, manufacturers and scientists can innovate with confidence, and consumers reap safer, more reliable products. Future trends hint at greener, smarter applications, making HPMC’s role only more vital.

So, if you’re working with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose or in a field that intersects with it, know the CAS number 9004-65-3 well—it’s your ticket to accuracy and success.

For more information and trusted products, visit us at https://www.youngcel.com.

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References

1. CAS Registry Number - Wikipedia
2. ISO Chemical Identifiers Standards
3. FAO - Food Additive Safety