Carboxymethyl cellulose or CMC is a cellulose derivative with carboxymethyl groups attached to some of the hydroxyl groups of the glucopyranose monomers that make up the cellulose backbone. It is a water-soluble polysaccharide produced industrially from alkali-treated cellulosic materials like wood pulp and cotton. CMC has wide applications in the food, pharmaceutical, industrial and household industries due to its viscosity building, binding, stabilizing, and thickening properties. India is positioned strongly in the worldwide CMC production and is seeing increasing demand and applications for this important polymer.
Growth Of The India Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)
The Indian Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) has witnessed strong growth over the last decade. From a production capacity of around 40,000 tonnes per annum in 2010, the domestic production capacity has now crossed 150,000 tonnes per annum. Several Indian companies have expanded their production facilities or set up new plants to meet the growing demand. Major CMC producers in India include JRS Pharma, Nagarjuna Group, Sigachi Industries, Patalganga CMC, Birla Cellulose and Rama Industries among others. The government’s focus on expanding the chemicals and pharmaceutical industries has supported demand growth. Easy availability of raw materials like cotton linters and wood pulp also gives Indian producers a competitive advantage in global s.
India Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) : Food Applications
CMC finds widespread use as a thickener, stabilizer and emulsifier in various food products. It is commonly used in products like ice cream, milkshakes, frozen desserts, gravies, sauces, soups, pasta, baked goods and meat products. CMC allows manufacturers to achieve desired consistency without altering the natural taste and visual properties of food. It has gained popularity as a vegetarian alternative to gelatin. The growing processed food in India is a key driver of CMC demand from the food segment. Indian CMC producers are leveraging technology and capabilities to tap new opportunities in premium food s both domestic and international.
India Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) In Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical applications form a large and rising share of CMC consumption in India. CMC plays an important role in areas such as drug formulations, medical devices, tablets and capsules. It is used as an excipient for controlled drug release, to improve solubility and bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. CMC’s viscosity and film forming properties make it suitable for coating tablets and granulation processes. It is also utilized in manufacturing toothpastes, mouthwashes, lozenges and other oral care products. India’s large and expanding pharmaceutical has ensured growth opportunities for domestic CMC manufacturers in catering to both domestic and global clientele.
Construction Applications
CMC’s water retention and ability to form strong gels finds diverse uses in construction additives. It is added to concrete, mortars and other cement mixes to improve cohesion, increase fluidity and viscosity. This allows thinner slurry to be poured while maintaining strength. CMC also acts as an air entrainment agent and improves freeze-thaw resistance of construction materials in harsh climates. Growing infrastructure development spending by both public and private sectors in India will bolster opportunities for companies offering innovative CMC-based construction chemical solutions.
Household And Personal Care Products
The household and personal care products segment in India offers promising opportunities for CMC manufacturers. It is used as a thickener and stabilizer in products like detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos, body washes, liquid soaps, cosmetics and creams. CMC helps achieve smooth consistency and texture without affecting clarity and shelf-life of end products. With growing affluence, increasing urbanization and adoption of modern lifestyle products, demand from household and personal care categories will support volume growth for Indian CMC producers in the domestic space.
Exports
India has emerged as a key exporter of CMC globally leveraging its manufacturing and cost competitiveness. Major export s include Europe, the USA, Mexico, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. India exported over 60,000 tonnes of CMC valued at Rs. 500 Crores in FY 2021-22. Key factors driving India’s CMC exports are strategic geographical location, trade agreements like duty benefits under ASEAN and Lanka FTAs, product quality meets global regulatory standards and abundant raw material availability. Indian producers are innovating product grades and applications to tap new specialty international s like Plant Cell Wall research. Potential also exists to boost CMC shipments to China which is a large importer.
Future Growth Prospects
With rising demand projected across diverse industries, Indian CMC production capacity is set to expand further over the next five years. The indigenous production strength augurs well to support India’s economic growth plans across sectors like pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, textiles, paper and chemicals manufacturing. Increased penetration of CMC across household and personal care categories driven by evolving consumer lifestyles also provides vast untapped potential. Implementation of cost competitive technologies, development of specialty grades tailored for new applications and global access through trade agreements will propel the ongoing success of India’s CMC . It presents attractive investment avenues and promises sustained high growth over the long term.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author – Priya Pandey
Priya Pandey is a dynamic and passionate editor with over three years of expertise in content editing and proofreading. Holding a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, Priya has a knack for making the content engaging. Her diverse portfolio includes editing documents across different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. Priya’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in the world of content creation and refinement. LinkedIn Profile