The Coronavirus has indeed paralyzed many industrial sectors, including the cellulose ether industry. The market for cellulose ether and its derivatives experienced a drastic decline in 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic. This industry inevitably has to follow what is happening in the world and how the local government is dealing with it. Even though health protocols have been implemented in various industries, workforce reductions are still happening.
The company is no longer able to bear operating expenses and employee salaries. The increasing spread of the Covid-19 virus has also made many companies close their factories and start limiting production activities. This causes the consumption of cellulose ether and its derivatives to decline sharply in all industrial sectors. All looks bleak in 2020, and it has also had a significant impact on the production of cellulose ether and its derivatives in China.
The Growing Market of Cellulose Ether and Its Derivatives
The dynamics of the cellulose ether industry and its derivatives market had a significant change towards 2021. Although many cellulose ether manufacturers have closed their businesses, the demand for cellulose ether products is increasing. However, the imposition of the lockdown has been gradually brought to an end. This makes a demand for cellulose ether continue to creep up.
We cannot deny that cellulose products and their derivatives are good at binding, stabilizing, emulsifying, thickening, water retention, and coating, and is essential in the paper and petroleum industry. The food industry is also in dire need of cellulose ether in its production to control crystallization, prevent moisture, stabilize texture, and increase revenue. Global growth projections for the cellulose ether and its derivatives market also increase from USD 5.7 billion in 2021 to USD 8.7 billion in 2026 with a CAGR 0f 9.4%.
The cellulose ether industry squirmed back towards the stability of its business. Even the demand is far more than before the corona hit and paralyzed many countries. Nothing can replace cellulose ether and its derivatives. People will always look for these natural polymers to support their business.
Countless industries can launch quality products with cellulose ether as supporting material. Cellulose ether and its derivatives will always be applied to food, personal care, pharmaceutical, textile, construction, paints and coatings, beverage, and many more industries.
Cellulose Ether and Its Derivatives Market
The cellulose ether industry will always have a broad market. Wherever you are, there will always be a place for cellulose ether and its derivatives. Among the many types of cellulose ether, several categories are in demand on the market. The market covers Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and MEA. Meanwhile, cellulose ether and its derivatives can be grouped by type and by application.
Based on the type and application, cellulose ether and its derivatives are classified into:
- MC Methyl cellulose and its derivatives.
Methyl cellulose is widely used as an emulsifier in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and many other industries. Methylcellulose is soluble in water, and its solubility will increase with increasing temperature. This cellulose is chosen by many people because it is not easily brittle, resistant to humid air, and resistant to vegetable and animal oils, so drug manufacturers use it in the manufacture of capsules.
- CMC Carboxymethyl cellulose
Carboxymethyl cellulose is usually used as a food stabilizer. CMC can be synthesized from plants such as oil palm fronds. But now, you can easily buy CMC powder from the manufacturer that produces cellulose ether and its derivatives. This product is sold in bulk and is safe as long as it has obtained an international standard security license. Other uses of carboxymethyl cellulose are as an emulsion or suspension stabilizer, thickener, and binder. This cellulose polymer ether is yellowish-white, anionic, tasteless, odorless, non-toxic, hygroscopic, and biodegradable.
- HEC Hydroxyethyl cellulose
Hydroxyethylcellulose is known as a gelling agent and thickener, which is widely used in household products, cosmetics, and cleaning solutions. HEC and methylcellulose are commonly used in capsule formulation and dissolving liquid drugs. HEC is practical to use in the cellulose ether industry because it can be widely used for various industries such as inks, ceramic, oil and gas, construction, adhesives, welding rods, soap bubbles in detergents, paints, and coatings, and many more.
- HPC Hydroxypropyl cellulose
It is known as a liquid for artificial tears. HPC is also used as an emulsion stabilizer and thickener in the food industry.
- EC ethyl cellulose
The food industry is in dire need of ethyl cellulose as a packaging material for butter, oil, and margarine. It is odorless, colorless, tasteless, resistant to oil, hard, and strong.