In the pharmaceutical industry, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) can act as pharmaceutical excipients. It is widely used in oral drugs such as matrix controlled-release and sustained-release preparations as the release-blocking material to regulate the drug release, or as sustained-release agents, pellets and capsules of coating materials. The most widely used are dimethyl carboxymethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose. For example, MC is often used in the production of tablets and capsules, or in coating sugar-coated tablets.

Cellulose ethers of high quality product grade can be used in the food industry and in a variety of foods are effective thickeners, emulsifiers, stabilizers, excipients, water-retaining agents and foaming agents for mechanical foaming. Methyl cellulose and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose have been recognized as physiologically harmless metabolism inert materials.

High purity (purity of 99.5%) carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) can be added to foods, such as milk & cream products, condiments, jams, jelly, canned food, syrup for meals and drinks.

Carboxymethyl cellulose with a purity of more than 90% can be used in food-related aspects, such as the application in the transport and storage of fresh fruit.This plastic wrap has such advantages as good preservation effects, less pollution, no damage, being easy for mechanized production.