Water retention agent is the key admixture to improve the water retention performance of dry-mixed mortar. And it is also one of the key admixtures to determine the cost of dry-mixed mortar materials. Its main source is cellulose ether.

Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is a general term for the reaction of alkali cellulose and etherizing agent under certain conditions to produce a series of products. The alkali cellulose is substituted by different etherizing agents to obtain different cellulose ether.

According to the ionization properties of the substituents, cellulose ether can be divided into two categories: ionic (such as carboxymethyl cellulose) and nonionic (such as methyl cellulose).

According to the type of substituents. Cellulose ether can be divided into single ether (such as methyl cellulose) and mixed ether (such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose).

Then according to different solubility. It can be divided into water-soluble (such as hydroxyethyl cellulose) and organic solvent-soluble (such as ethyl cellulose), etc.

Dry-mixed mortar mainly uses water-soluble cellulose, and water-soluble cellulose is divided into quick-soluble type and delayed-soluble type after surface treatment.

The mechanism of action of cellulose ether in mortar is as follows:

(1) After the cellulose ether within the mortar is dissolved in water.It ensures the effective uniform distribution of the cementitious material in the system due to the surface active effect. As a protective colloid, the cellulose ether “wraps” the solid particles and forms a lubricating film on its outer surface.Which makes the mortar system more stable. It also improves the fluidity of mortar in the mixing process and the smoothness of construction.

(2) Due to its molecular structure. The cellulose ether solution is not easy to lose the water in the mortar. And will be released gradually in a longer period of time. Which gives the mortar good water retention and workability.

Landcel is a distributor specializing in the production and sale of cellulose ether. Specializing in the development and production of HPMC, HEC, CMC, HEMC, RDP, EHEC.


We can customize our products according to customer’s needs. We have a clear competitive advantage among the cellulose ether manufacturers in the same industry. And we have customers in different regions of the world and have always maintained friendly cooperation.

Types of cellulose ether and mechanism of action (II)

Types of cellulose ether and mechanism of action (III)