HEC for Coatings – Hydroxyethyl Cellulose for Stable Rheology Control in Water-Based Paint Systems
A formulation-grade cellulose ether designed for viscosity stability, pigment suspension, and controlled flow behavior in modern coatings.
Custom HEC solutions for latex paints, decorative coatings & industrial finishes
High-purity cellulose ether grade with excellent water retention & rheology control
Consistent quality ensured by automated manufacturing & strict QC systems
Coating Formulation Instability:
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a highly substituted, nonionic, water-soluble polymer and a semi-synthetic high molecular surfactant. It offers multiple benefits, including thickening, water retention, film formation, suspension, dispersion, emulsification, and serving as a protective colloid.
Excellent Thickening & Water Retention
Suspension & Dispersion
Improved Color Acceptance
Excellent Rheological Property
HEC is a surface-crosslinked powder, which results in delayed solubility. In cold water with a neutral PH or PH below 7, it disperses evenly into fine particle, then slowly hydrating into a transparent solution with varying viscosities. The dissolution process can be accelerated by raising the water temperature or adding a small amount of alkaline substances (e.g, AMP95) to adjust the PH to 7.0-8.5.
LANDU: Your Trusted HEC for Coatings Manufacturer
As a leading manufacturer of HEC for Coatings in China, our HEC for Coatings solutions are trusted by customers in over 60 countries worldwide.
What is HEC in Coatings?
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a non-ionic, water-soluble cellulose ether widely used as a rheology modifier in water-based coating systems.
It is commonly applied in:
- Emulsion paints
- Acrylic water-based coatings
- Latex paint systems
- Architectural and industrial coatings
HEC is not only a thickener—it is a flow-structure regulator for multi-phase coating systems.
Benefits:
- Excellent Thickening & Water Retention: Enhances viscosity and prevents water loss, improving paint consistency.
- Suspension & Dispersion: Effectively suspends and disperses pigments and inorganic fillers, preventing settling.
Enhanced Stability: Improves suspension stability, ensuring a uniform paint mixture. - Improved Color Acceptance: Helps achieve better color uniformity and intensity in coatings.
- Excellent Rheological Property: Maintaining suitable viscosity under both high and low shear conditions, facilitating improved brushing and spraying performance in applications like paints and coatings.
- 17 Years of Experience in Specialty Chemical Additives
- ISO 9001 and EU REACH Certification
- 11 Product Patents and 4 Utility Model Patents
- Dedicated R&D Center and Application Laboratory
- Customer-centric Services and Support
HEC for Coatings - Basic Technical Parameter
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or milky white, free flowing powder |
| Bulk Density (g/L) | 300-550 |
| Softening Point (℃) | 135-155 |
| Decomposition Temperature (℃) | 240-280 |
| MS | 2.0-2.5 |
| Surface Tension (N/M) | 0.06-0.065 |
| Refractive Index (20℃) | 1.336 |
| Specific Gravity (20℃) | 1.003 |
| Freezing Point (℃) | 0 |
| Grade | Viscosity (Brookfield 2%) | Viscosity (Brookfield 1%) | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HE15M | — | 800-1,500 | Excellent thickening effect with high cost efficiency |
| HE30M | — | 1,500-2,500 | |
| HE60M | — | 2,500-3,500 | |
| HE100M | — | 3,500-5,000 | |
| HE150M | — | 4,500-6,000 | |
| HE200M | — | 6,000-8,000 | |
| HEC LR | 7-15 | — | Dispersant for emulsion polymerization; Dispersant for color paste/colorant |
| HEC ER | 80-150 | — | |
| HEC GR | 250-400 | — |
| Grade | Viscosity (Brookfield 2%) | Viscosity (Brookfield 1%) | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HE2MBE | — | 1,500-2,500 | Excellent leveling performance and excellent dispersion of color paste/colorant |
| HE5MBE | — | 4,500-6,500 | |
| HE15MBE | — | 800-1,500 | High degree of substitution; Excellent biological stability |
| HE30MBE | — | 1,500-2,500 | |
| HE60MBE | — | 2,500-3,500 | |
| HE80MBE | — | 3,000-4,000 | |
| HE100MBE | — | 3,500-5,000 |
| Grade | Viscosity (Brookfield 2%) | Viscosity (Brookfield 1%) | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEB4M | 3,000-5,000 | — | Excellent dispersibility; Excellent suspension stability |
| MEB15M | — | 800-1,500 | |
| MEB30M | — | 1,500-2,500 | |
| MEB60M | — | 2,500-3,500 | Enhanced overall performance; Excellent scrubbing resistance |
| MEB80M | — | 3,000-4,000 | |
| MEB100M | — | 3,500-5,000 | |
| MEB6000 | — | 5,000-7,000 | Excellent thickening performance |
| MEB7000 | — | 6,000-8,000 | |
| MEB8000 | — | 7,000-9,000 | |
| MEB10000 | — | 9,000-12,000 |
| Grade | Viscosity (Brookfield 2%) | Viscosity (Brookfield 1%) | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MHE300 | — | 200-500 | Excellent leveling, anti-spattering and anti-sag |
| MHE500 | — | 350-750 | |
| MHE900 | — | 600-1,200 | |
| MHE2000 | — | 1,500-2,500 | |
| MHE4PX | 4,000 | — | Suitable for coatings and water-based paste putty, offering enhanced workability and anti-sag performance |
| MHE10PX | 10,000 | — | |
| MHE20PX | 21,000 | 800-1,500 | |
| MHE30PX | — | 1,500-2,500 | |
| MHE60PX / MHE80PX | — | 2,500-4,000 | |
| MHE100PX | — | 3,500-5,000 |
Common Coating Problems and HEC-Based Solutions
Viscosity instability after storage
Often caused by weak polymer network structure.
HEC improves long-term rheology stability.
Pigment settling
Caused by insufficient suspension force in the liquid phase.
HEC increases structural viscosity and reduces sedimentation.
Poor leveling or surface defects
Often linked to incorrect rheology balance.
Proper HEC grade selection improves flow uniformity.
Brush drag or uneven application
Caused by unbalanced shear response.
HEC optimizes low-shear and high-shear balance.
Ordering HEC for Coating
With three factories and an advanced HEC for Coatings, we guarantee consistent quality for large orders. We have distributors in many countries including Poland, Greece, and Switzerland.
Order Information
- Packaging: 25kg / Paper bag
- Shipping: Global Ocean Freight (CIF, CFR, FOB, etc.)
- Delivery Time: 7-15 days (depends on order size)
- Payment Options: T/T, L/C, OA, and more
- Minimum Order: 500kg
FREE Sample Policy for LANDU VAE RDP
- Free product samples
- Global shipping at no cost
- Detailed lab test reports
- Custom formulation if needed
If you’re not satisfied with the sample, our HEC team will refine the product to your exact specification – completely free of charge!
Applications of Redispersible Polymer Powder
Dissolution Mechanism
The hydration time of HEC decreases as thetemperature of the water increases. Raisingthe water temperature can facilitate therapid hydration of HEC products, resultingin the formation of a transparent colloidalsolution.
Hydrophobically Modified Associative HEC
The Associative type is a hydrophobically modifiedassociative HEC. It is a polymer colloidal solutionwith a dual thickening effect. Like ordinary HECproducts, it achieves the thickening of thewater-based latex system through conventionalhydrogen bonding and molecular entanglement. Atthe same time, it also associates with the latexparticles in the coating to produce a dual thickeningeffect, which can provide good construction perfor-mance and excellent anti-spattering.
Application Feedback from Water-Based Coating Systems
In practical coating formulations, HEC performance is consistently evaluated in real production environments rather than laboratory conditions alone.
Formulators report that HEC provides stable viscosity during storage and reduces pigment settling in long-term warehouse conditions.
It also improves roller application smoothness, especially in mid-viscosity emulsion paints.
In exterior systems exposed to temperature fluctuations, HEC helps maintain consistent rheology and prevents sagging on vertical substrates during application.
In high pigment volume concentration systems, HEC contributes to structural stability of the pigment network, reducing separation and improving hiding consistency.
Get Customized HEC for Coatings Solutions
We Offer:
- Customized HEC formulas for specific applications
- Free samples before ordering
- Product brochures and technical data sheets
- Tailored demonstration videos
- Expert technical support
With LANDU, you get accurate products, reliable quality, and outstanding service. Simply send us a message, and we’ll take care of everything!
Partner with LANDU - Your Professional HEC Manufacturer
Innovative Solutions
Our HEC powder ensures smooth, even spreading while preventing segregation and bleeding. It enhances film flexibility to accommodate substrate movement, and improves overall durability against foot traffic and impact.
- Advanced testing facilities
- Skilled research team
- Optimized dry-mix formulations
Quality and Innovation Commitment
- 11 patents and 4 usage patents
- Standard and customized formulations
- Trusted by top-tier factories
Large Volume Order Capability
- DCS quality monitoring systems
- Automated packing systems
- Automated packing systems