Mikro-Technik have been making Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for many years, and it is sold under our trade name – Mikro-Technik CMC. The product is manufactured from natural cellulose fibres sourced from renewable forest enterprises.

Unlike natural cellulose fibres, CMC is soluble in water, which enhances its versatility in many applications in the detergent, textile, paper, adhesive, ceramic, and food industries. When the term CMC is used, it is usually taken to mean the sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC). CMC is synthesized by the etherification of cellulose with glycolic acid. In practical terms, the cellulose fibres are activated with caustic soda and then reacted with monochloroacetic acid and/or its salts. The reaction produces several by-products, which are generally removed to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the purity requirements of the finished product.