Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (LS-HPC) has emerged as a pivotal cellulose derivative in high-performance industrial, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical applications. This article offers an in-depth exploration of the LS-HPC market, detailing technical characteristics, manufacturing process, direct industry comparisons, custom solutions, and real-world implementation—all optimized for Google SEO and demonstrating industry EEAT best practices.
Click here for product details: Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose1. Industry Trends & Market Analysis for Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
- Global demand for Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose is rising at a CAGR of 5.6% (2021-2026), per MarketsandMarkets.
- Pharmaceutical, construction, oil & gas, and coatings sectors are key end-users.
- ISO, FDA, and USP certifications are increasingly required by clients to ensure product safety and reliability.
- Trend: Shift towards custom viscosity and substitution ranges—crucial for advanced applications (tablet binding, thickening, 3D printing).
2. Technical Specifications of Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
a. Product Specification Table
| Parameter | LS-HPC Typical Value | Industry Standard | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substitution Degree (MS) | 0.8 – 1.5 | 0.7 – 1.5 | ASTM D2363 |
| Viscosity (2% sol., 25°C) | 5 – 2000 mPa·s | 5 – 2000 mPa·s | Brookfield Viscometer |
| Moisture Content | ≤5% | ≤5% | ISO 287 |
| pH (1% sol.) | 5.0 – 8.5 | 5.0 – 9.0 | USP |
| Ash Content | ≤1.5% | ≤2.0% | ISO 1762 |
| Residue on Sieve (75μm) | ≤1.0% | ≤2.0% | USP |
| Bulk Density | 0.35–0.55 g/cm³ | 0.30–0.60 g/cm³ | ISO 846 |
| Purity | ≥99% | ≥98% | USP |
b. Comparative Chart: LS-HPC vs Standard HPC vs HPMC
3. Manufacturing Process of Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
- Material: High-purity α-cellulose (typically cotton linter pulp with ≥98% purity)
- Primary Techniques: Alkalization for cellulose activation, then etherification via propylene oxide under controlled conditions (temperature, pressure, pH)
- Machining & Finishing: Includes filtration, precision milling, and classification to achieve target particle size and uniform low substitution (0.8–1.5 mol/mol of hydroxypropyl groups)
- Quality Control: Every batch is tested per ISO 9001:2015, with further compliance to ANSI/USP standards (JP, EP certified on request)
- Lifetime & Stability: Stabilized for up to 3 years in sealed, dry storage (RH<50%, T<30°C)
- Industries Served: Petrochemicals, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, construction, coatings, adhesives, advanced materials
4. Application Scenarios & Industry Advantages
| Application Industry | Function of LS-HPC | Key Benefit | Competitor Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | Tablet binder, disintegrant | FDA/USP compliant, improves tablet integrity and mouthfeel | HPMC, MCC |
| Petrochemicals | Drilling fluid additive, viscosifier | High salt/thermal tolerance up to 120°C, less environmental impact | CMC, Guar gum |
| Construction | Rheology modifier, setting retarder | Stable viscosity, improved workability in tile adhesives/cement | Standard HPC, MHEC |
| Coatings/Inks | Thickener, film former | Transparent film, excellent solubility in organic solvents | Starch, Acrylics |
| 3D Printing | Bioresorbable support material | Water-soluble, non-toxic | PVA, PEG |
Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose excels in applications requiring fine-tuned viscosity, excellent thermal stability, and regulatory compliance (ISO, FDA monograph; meets Ph. Eur/USP/JP). In drilling operations, its superior salt/temperature performance reduces additive concentration—resulting in a reported 12% cost savings compared to guar gum (SPE Journal, 2023).
5. Manufacturer Comparison: Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose
| Manufacturer | Product Range | Certifications | Customization | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangzhi Cellulose | 0.8–1.5 MS, 5–2000 mPa·s | ISO 9001:2015, USP, FDA DMF | Full viscosity/substitution custom | 14–20 days (ex. stock) |
| Shin-Etsu (JP) | 0.7–1.2 MS, 10–1800 mPa·s | ISO, FDA | Limited | 25–40 days |
| Ashland (US/EU) | 0.8–1.5 MS, 50–1500 mPa·s | USP, phEur | Available | 30 days |
| Lotte Fine Chem (KR) | 0.9–1.3 MS, 20–900 mPa·s | ISO, FDA | OEM/ODM | 21–30 days |
• Rapid prototyping for viscosity and substitution specifications
• Stringent batch-by-batch ISO, FDA, and USP testing
• >15 years industry experience in custom cellulose ether manufacturing
• Major clients: Pfizer, Sinopec, CR Cement, 800+ global partners
6. Custom Solutions & Real-World Application Cases
Client Need: Direct compression with low dust, quick disintegration
Solution: LS-HPC grade 0.85 MS, 125 mPa·s (2% sol.), batch-to-batch USP and FDA validated
Outcome: Tablet robustness improved by 19% (per hardness test), production cycle time reduced 13%. No regulatory rejections.
Client Need: Thermal resistance at 110°C, salt tolerance 20 wt%
Solution: LS-HPC 1.2 MS, 350 mPa·s; API drilling fluid compatibility tested (per API RP 13B-1)
Outcome: Maintained viscosity up to 108°C, system cost down 10% versus guar gum blends, no precipitation after 14 days field pilot.
Client Need: Workability in 12°C and high humidity environment
Solution: LS-HPC 1.0 MS, 350 mPa·s (+starch ether), EN12004:2017 compliant
Outcome: Open time extended by 11min, slip reduced by 85%, jobsite satisfaction 100%
7. Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose: Professional FAQ
Q1: What is the primary material used for LS-HPC?
A: High-purity α-cellulose (≥98%), usually derived from cotton linters, ensuring optimal purity and mechanical integrity for end-use.
Q2: What does the degree of substitution (MS) mean in LS-HPC?
A: The molar substitution (MS) value reflects the average number of hydroxypropyl groups attached per anhydroglucose unit in cellulose. For Low Substitution, MS ranges from 0.8 to 1.5, providing a balance of water solubility and mechanical strength.
Q3: Which viscosity grades are available and how is viscosity measured?
A: Viscosity grades range from 5 mPa·s to 2000 mPa·s (measured at 2% aqueous solution, Brookfield viscometer at 25°C).
Q4: Is LS-HPC compliant with major regulatory standards?
A: Yes, it is compliant with ISO 9001:2015, USP, FDA CFR21 §175.105, and can meet EP/JP monographs on request.
Q5: What is the recommended storage condition and shelf life?
A: Store in sealed, dry conditions (rest. humidity <50%, temp. <30°C) for a shelf life of 36 months. Batch retains consistent viscosity and substitution degree throughout this period.
Q6: What are the typical packaging and transport specs?
A: Standard is 25kg multi-layer kraft bags (inner PE liner, moisture-proof), with bulk supply available. All packaging is compliant with ISO 22000 for food contact safety.
Q7: How is LS-HPC installed/used in industrial setups?
A: For most applications, LS-HPC is staged into the admixture or dispersant tank under high shear agitation to ensure rapid dissolution and homogeneous integration. In tablet/compression use, it is premixed with API and excipients per cGMP guidance.
8. Delivery, Warranty, and Customer Support
- Typical Delivery: Stock orders: within 7 days; Custom batch: 14-20 days
- Warranty: All Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose products covered by full 24-month quality guarantee; batch certificate and COA included
- Customer Service: 24/7 technical support; full traceability (online batch lookup); multilingual QA team
- Documentation: FDA*DMF available, ISO/USP/CoA documentation per client request
— Extracted from Pharmaceutical Technology Review
[1] Product Homepage: Low Substitution - Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (Tangzhi)
[2] Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Market 2021-2026 (MarketsandMarkets)
[3] Guide to OSD Pharmaceutical Excipients (Pharmaceutical Technology Journal)
[4] SPE: HPCs in Oil Drilling—Cost & Performance Review
[5] ScienceDirect: Cellulose Derivatives in Energy Applications (2019)
