The Global Methyl Cellulose (MC) and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Market was valued at USD 425 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 549.70 million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.9% during the forecast period (2023-2032). This steady growth is driven by increasing demand from construction materials, pharmaceutical formulations, and processed foods, alongside expanding applications in personal care and paint industries.
As manufacturers prioritize multifunctional, plant-based additives, MC and HPMC continue gaining traction as versatile biopolymers offering thickening, water retention, film-forming and binding properties. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the MC and HPMC Industry—specialty chemical leaders shaping innovation across cellulose ether applications.
1. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offerings: Benecel™ MC, Methocel™ HPMC (Food, Pharma, Industrial Grades)
With over 85 years of cellulose ether expertise, Ashland delivers high-purity MC/HPMC solutions optimized for controlled drug release, food stabilization, and high-performance construction materials. Their cellulose derivatives portfolio supports regulatory compliance across global markets.
Key Advantages:
- Broad viscosity range (3-200,000 mPa·s)
- USP/EP/JP compliant pharmaceutical grades
- Specialized mortar modification technologies
Download FREE Sample Report: Global Methyl Cellulose (MC) and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report
2. Dow Chemical Company
Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offerings: Methocel™ Cellulose Ethers (Construction, Pharma, Food)
Dow’s engineered HPMC grades deliver consistent performance in tile adhesives, cement mortars, and pharmaceutical tablet coatings. Their cellulose ethers division focuses on sustainability through biomass sourcing and process optimization.
Key Advantages:
- Dust-free surface-treated grades
- Precise rheological control
- Global technical support network
3. Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offerings: Metolose™ HPMC (Pharmaceutical, Food, Industrial)
Shin-Etsu dominates Asia’s pharmaceutical-grade HPMC market with its cGMP-compliant Metolose line. The company specializes in precise substitution patterns for controlled drug release applications.
Key Advantages:
- Consistent pharmacopeial compliance
- Custom molecular weight distributions
- Japanese quality manufacturing standards
4. CP Kelco (HERCULES)
Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offerings: Aqualon™ HPMC, KluCel® MC (Food, Pharma, Industrial)
Now part of DuPont, CP Kelco’s Aqualon cellulose ethers provide superior water retention and workability in construction materials, while pharmaceutical grades meet stringent global compendial requirements.
Key Advantages:
- Optimized for dry-mix formulations
- Enhanced solubility profiles
- Global regulatory support
Download FREE Sample Report: Global Methyl Cellulose (MC) and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report
5. Shandong Head Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Jinan, China
Key Offerings: Construction-grade HPMC (60,000-200,000 CPS)
As China’s largest HPMC producer with 60,000 MT annual capacity, Shandong Head specializes in cost-effective solutions for dry-mix mortars and gypsum products serving Asia’s booming construction sector.
Key Advantages:
- Large-scale production efficiency
- Customized viscosity profiles
- Moisture-resistant formulations
6. Shandong Yiteng New Material Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offerings: YITENG™ HPMC (Industrial & Construction Grades)
This rapidly growing Chinese manufacturer focuses on tile adhesives and self-leveling compounds, with robust export capabilities to emerging markets requiring quality cellulose ethers at competitive prices.
Key Advantages:
- Fast-dissolving HPMC grades
- Anti-caking technology
- Strict QC protocols
7. Shandong Guangda Technology Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offerings: Pharmaceutical & Food-grade HPMC
Specializing in mid-to-high viscosity HPMC, Guangda operates GMP-certified facilities producing cellulose ethers for regulated industries with comprehensive quality certifications.
Key Advantages:
- Vegetarian capsule solutions
- Low heavy metal content
- Batch-to-batch consistency
8. Ruitai Chemical Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Hebei, China
Key Offerings: RT HPMC (Construction, Pharma, Food)
With 40,000 MT annual capacity, Ruitai serves export markets with HPMC solutions for construction, pharmaceutical, and food applications, emphasizing solubility enhancement technologies.
Key Advantages:
- Surface-modified fast-dispersing grades
- Custom particle sizing
- Multi-market regulatory compliance
9. Shanghai Huiguang Technological Development Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offerings: HG HPMC (Food & Industrial Grades)
Huiguang focuses on food additive and industrial HPMC applications, supplying domestic manufacturers and international distributors with consistent quality cellulose ethers.
Key Advantages:
- Non-GMO raw materials
- Oil-resistant formulations
- Technical application support
10. Henan Tiansheng Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Henan, China
Key Offerings: Tiansheng™ HPMC (Construction & Industrial)
A cost-competitive Chinese producer addressing domestic construction demand with specialized HPMC formulations for cement-based applications and rapid-setting systems.
Key Advantages:
- Moisture-resistant additives
- Fast hydration control
- Bulk packaging options
Read Full Report: Global Methyl Cellulose (MC) and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report
Outlook: Sustainable Cellulose Ethers Driving Next-Gen Applications
The MC/HPMC market is evolving beyond traditional construction applications, with pharmaceutical and food sectors demonstrating accelerated adoption. Manufacturers are responding with cleaner production methods and application-specific innovations.
Key Market Trends:
- Pharma sector driving demand for modified-release formulations
- Construction industry preference for high-performance additives
- Clean-label movement expanding food-grade applications
- Asian producers gaining global market share through cost innovation
Read Full Report: Global Methyl Cellulose (MC) and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The profiled companies demonstrate how strategic specialization—whether in pharmaceutical purity, construction performance, or cost-efficient production—is driving the cellulose ether market forward while meeting diverse industry needs.
