A A natural hydrocolloid is a water-soluble polymer of biological origin that forms viscous solutions or gels when dispersed in water. The term covers both polysaccharides (such as xanthan gum, gellan gum, and welan gum) and cellulose derivatives (such as CMC, PAC, HEC, and CMS). Unionchem supplies eight products in this category: Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, Welan Gum, CMC, PAC, HEC, CMS, and Low Dust Xanthan Gum. Each is available in multiple grades matched to food, industrial, or oilfield applications.

A Unionchem supplies xanthan gum in three primary grades: food grade (compliant with E415 and FCC standards), oilfield/industrial grade (optimized for viscosity performance in drilling fluids and industrial formulations), and low dust grade (for industrial environments where airborne powder is a handling concern). Food grade is used where regulatory compliance is required. Oilfield grade delivers comparable rheological performance at lower cost. Low dust grade is specified when operator health and cleanliness in mixing environments is a priority.

A All three are water-soluble cellulose ethers, but they differ in ionic character, substitution chemistry, and target application. CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) is anionic and covers a wide range of industries — food thickening (E466), oilfield fluid loss control, detergent anti-redeposition, and paper coating. PAC (polyanionic cellulose) is a high-DS version of CMC specifically engineered for oilfield drilling fluid applications, particularly fluid loss reduction and lubrication, with API 13A as its primary specification standard. HEC (hydroxyethyl cellulose) is non-ionic, which makes it compatible with ionic surfactants, electrolytes, and a wider pH range — it is the preferred choice for paints, personal care formulations, and applications where ionic sensitivity is a constraint.

A Unionchem's manufacturing system is certified to ISO 9001:2015. Food-grade products comply with E415 (xanthan gum), E466 (CMC), and E418 (gellan gum) under EU food additive regulations, and with FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) standards. Oilfield-grade CMC and PAC are produced to API 13A specifications. Cosmetic-grade products are documented under INCI nomenclature. Halal and Kosher certificates are available on request for applicable products.

A MOQ depends on the specific product and grade. For standard stocked grades of xanthan gum, CMC, and PAC, the typical MOQ is 1 metric ton. For less common grades or custom specifications, MOQ may be higher. Samples are available before any commercial order for qualification testing purposes. Contact us with your specific product and application requirements for a confirmed MOQ and pricing.

A Yes. For customers with specific viscosity targets, particle size requirements, or application constraints not met by standard grades, we can discuss modified specifications. This typically requires minimum quantity commitments and production lead time. Our technical team will confirm feasibility and provide a product data sheet for approval before production.

A Samples are dispatched with full technical documentation: Certificate of Analysis (COA), MSDS, and product specification sheet. Standard sample dispatch time is 3–5 business days from receipt of shipping details. To request a sample, submit your application details and delivery address through our contact page.