Dow Chemical Reaches Milestone For Cellulose Ether Production

25 October 1999 00:00  [Source: ICB Americas]

Dow Chemical Corporation has reached a 60-year-plus milestone for making its Ethocel and Methocel brands of cellulose ether products.

Dow began producing Ethocel ethyl cellulose polymers in 1936. At that time, high demand for chlorine led to excess caustic production. Dow found a market for its surplus caustic when it discovered that a pound of ethyl cellulose required two pounds of caustic.

Dow then formed its cellulose products division to develop applications and markets for Ethocel products. Today, Ethocel is used in pharmaceuticals as a controlled release agent and in printing as a binder and thickener in high-quality gravure printing.

The other part of Dow's cellulose line is methyl cellulose. Unlike Ethocel, methyl cellulose is water-soluble and can be used as a thickener for water-based formulations. Dow's first sale of Methocel was in leather tanning in 1938.

Today, Methocel is used in industrial applications, particularly as a food additive, and in pharmaceutical applications.

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly