What is sodium carboxymethyl cellulose CMC primarily used for?

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a versatile chemical compound primarily used as a thickener, stabilizer, and binder in various industries. Here are some of the most common uses of CMC:

1. Food industry: CMC is widely used in the food industry as a thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer in products such as ice cream, sauces, dressings, and baked goods.
2. Pharmaceutical industry: CMC is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a binding agent in tablet formulations, as a viscosity modifier in suspensions and solutions, and as a stabilizer in ophthalmic preparations.
3. Cosmetics industry: CMC is used in cosmetics as a thickening agent and emulsifier in lotions, creams, and other personal care products.
4. Textile industry: CMC is used in the textile industry as a sizing agent, which helps to improve the strength and durability of fabrics.
5. Oil drilling industry: CMC is used in oil drilling fluids as a viscosifier and fluid loss reducer.
6. Paper industry: CMC is used in the paper industry as a binder, thickener, and coating agent.

Overall, CMC is a widely used and versatile compound with many applications across various industries.