Hpmc E5Lv
HPMC E5 LV: Premium Low-Viscosity Pharmaceutical Grade from Tang Zhi
Sourcing reliable HPMC E5 LV for tablet coatings, binders, or controlled-release formulations? Our pharma-grade Hypromellose E5 LV delivers consistent low viscosity (around 5 cps), superior film-forming properties, and full USP/EP compliance—straight from our 140,000 sqm Hebei factory.
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Understanding HPMC E5 LV: A Technical Breakdown
Low-viscosity HPMC like our E5 LV grade sits at the heart of pharmaceutical excipients. It's hydroxypropyl methylcellulose with a methoxy content of 28-30% and hydroxypropyl at 7-12%. That nominal viscosity? Right around 5 cps in 2% aqueous solution at 20°C. We've run thousands of batches here in Jinzhou, and consistency is what separates good suppliers from great ones.
Think about it in your formulation workflow. E5 LV dissolves fast—fully hydrates in under 30 minutes in cold water. No clumping. That's critical for binders in direct compression tablets or as a film-former in coatings where you need thin, uniform layers without cracking.
One thing we've noticed over years of production: slight variations in hydroxypropyl substitution can affect gelation temperature. Ours hits 58-64°C reliably, which matters for hot-melt extrusion or enteric coatings. Miss that window, and your release profile shifts.
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Viscosity (2% sol., 20°C) | 3-7 cps | USP <911> |
| Methoxy (%) | 28.0-30.0 | USP <251> |
| Hydroxypropyl (%) | 7.0-12.0 | USP <251> |
| Gelation Temp (°C) | 58-64 | Hot Gel Method |
| Loss on Drying | ≤5.0% | USP <731> |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤1.5% | USP <281> |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤5 ppm | USP <231> |
| Particle Size (95%) | -100 to -200 mesh | In-house |
These aren't pulled from a brochure. They're from our latest COA runs. Particle size control is key—too coarse, and you get granulation issues. Ours passes through 100-200 mesh at 95% yield, reducing dust in your cleanroom.
Short note on sourcing: We've supplied E5 LV equivalents to formulators in the US and EU for over a decade. Batch-to-batch? Deviation under 2% on viscosity. That's what keeps repeat orders coming.
Expanding on that, HPMC E5 LV shines in immediate-release tablets. Use it at 2-5% as a binder, and you'll see better tablet hardness without prolonging disintegration. We've tested it against competitors—holds up in friability tests under 1% loss.
But it's versatile beyond pharma. Some buyers mix it into eye drops for viscosity control or vegan capsules as a shell former. Gel strength is mild, so no brittleness issues.
In production, purification steps matter. Our multi-stage filtration drops bacterial endotoxin to <0.5 EU/mg. FDA audits love that. And microbial limits? Total count <100 cfu/g, yeast/mold <10. Standard for pharma excipients.
One operational quirk: Store it below 25°C, away from moisture. We've had importers complain about caking after ocean freight—turns out poor drum sealing. Our PE-lined fiber drums with 25kg net hold steady even in humid transits.
Real-World Applications for HPMC E5 LV
Procurement teams often ask: "Where does this fit exactly?" Start with tablet manufacturing. As a binder in wet granulation, it promotes even API distribution. Or dry blend at 3%—improves flow without stickiness.
- Tablet Coatings: Thin films at 2-3% solids. High clarity, low moisture vapor transmission. Good for moisture-sensitive drugs.
- Controlled Release: Matrix systems with higher grades, but E5 LV as a topcoat or plasticizer carrier.
- Ophthalmics: Viscosity builder in drops. Non-irritating, compatible with preservatives.
- Capsules: Veg capsule shells. Dissolves in 10-15 min in gastric simulant.
- Suspensions: Stabilizer at 0.5-1%. Prevents settling, extends shelf life.
Contract manufacturers tell us it pairs well with microcrystalline cellulose. Ratio of 1:10 HPMC:MCC gives robust compacts. We've seen it in generics for antihypertensives—holds compression at 10 kN.
Beyond pharma, food-grade variants go into icings, but E5 LV is pharma-pure. No secondary peaks in HPLC for purity checks.
Procurement Risks with HPMC E5 LV Suppliers
We've talked to dozens of US importers. Common headache: viscosity drift between lots. One batch 4 cps, next 8—ruins your scale-up. Offshore suppliers cut corners on substitution control.
Another pitfall: Heavy metal specs look good on paper but fail on ICP-MS. Always demand third-party reports. We've passed SGS audits consistently.
Lead times drag too. Spot market from China can hit 45 days in peak season. Our stock program ships 20MT weekly to LA port.
Customs holds? Misdeclared as "cellulose ether" without pharma certs. We provide full US FDA DMF if needed, plus Kosher/Halal.
Price volatility hurts. Spot HPMC E5 LV swings $4-7/kg. Lock in with our 12-month contracts at tiered volumes.
Why Tang Zhi's HPMC E5 LV Stands Out
No hype. Our edge comes from vertical integration. We etherify cotton linter in-house, control DS precisely. Competitors import pulp—trace impurities sneak in.
Film properties? Tensile strength 50-60 MPa dry. Elongation 20%. Better than E5 standard in elongation, per our lab pulls.
Cost per kg? Competitive at scale. 1MT MOQ drops to $5.2/kg FOB Tianjin. Compare that to EU-sourced at double.
| Feature | Tang Zhi E5 LV | Typical Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Viscosity Tolerance | ±10% | ±20% |
| Endotoxin | <0.5 EU/mg | <2.0 EU/mg |
| MOQ Flexibility | 100kg | 1MT |
| Lead Time (US) | 25-35 days | 40-60 days |
Buyers stick with us for reliability. One Midwest formulator runs our E5 LV exclusively now.
Buyer's Guide: Sourcing HPMC E5 LV Right
Step 1: Verify USP/EP monograph compliance. Request COA + HPLC chromatograms.
Step 2: Test samples yourself. Dissolve 2g/100ml, check Brookfield viscometer.
Step 3: Audit supplier factory remotely. Ask for etherification reactor pics. (Ours: fully automated, 40k ton/year.)
Step 4: Negotiate Incoterms. CIF LA beats FOB for small lots.
Warning: Avoid brokers. They mark up 30% with no quality control.
- Volume planning: Bulk buys save 15-20%.
- Storage: Cool, dry. Shelf life 2 years sealed.
- Formulation tweak: Add 0.1% silica for anti-caking in humid areas.
Need a custom DS? We do OEM tweaks, min 5MT.
Tang Zhi Factory Capabilities & Certifications
140,000 sqm site in Jinzhou, Hebei. 90,000 sqm buildings. 6 automated lines for HPMC grades. Annual output: 40k tons cellulose ethers.
From pulp to powder: Alkalization → Etherification → Purification → Drying → Milling. All under GMP cleanrooms for pharma.
Export to 50+ countries. US clients: Major generics houses. DMF filed.
Logistics & Shipping for HPMC E5 LV
FOB Tianjin/Xingang. 25kg drums, 14MT/20' FCL. Palletized for stability.
Transit to US West Coast: 25-30 days sea. Air for samples: 5-7 days DHL.
Customs docs: CO, FORM A, CIQ health cert for pharma. We handle all.
Pro tip: Consolidate with other cellulose like RDP for full loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is your HPMC E5 LV USP compliant?
Yes, fully meets USP 43, EP 9.0, JP. COA attached to every shipment.
What's the minimum order?
100kg for trials, 1MT production. Flexible pallets.
Do you offer free samples?
Yes, 1-2kg free + freight collect. Test in your lab first.
Shelf life and storage?
2 years sealed, 15-25°C, RH <60%. Avoid freezing.
OEM possible?
Yes. Custom viscosity/DS, private label. 5MT min.
What Our Buyers Say
"Switched to Tang Zhi E5 LV after viscosity issues with previous supplier. Batches spot-on, film clarity excellent. Saved 18% on cost too. Reliable partner."
"Great dissolution profile in our IR tablets. Low endotoxins key for injectables trials. Fast samples helped our timeline."
"MOQ flexibility perfect for startups. Quality matches Dow, price half. Logistics smooth to Mumbai."
"Used in vegan caps. No brittleness post-drying. Consistent lots over 6 months."
Get Started with HPMC E5 LV Today
Factory pricing, samples, or specs? Our team responds in 24 hours.
Tang Zhi Technology (Hebei) Co., Ltd.
Room 2308, Dongsheng Plaza 2, No. 508 Zhongshan East Road, Chang’an District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Email: admin@tangzhicellulose.com
Written by Li Wei, Export Director | 15+ years in cellulose excipients | 
Last updated: April 2026 | tangzhihpmc.com
