There are many reasons why HPMC caps are taking over.
As you undoubtedly know, capsules offer one of the most convenient ways to take your medications and dietary supplements, especially with the ease of filling your desired formula at home. But most capsule products on the market are made from gelatin, an ingredient derived from animals like cattle and pigs.
That becomes important in light of those consumers who have dietary restrictions for meat or meat products. Vegetarians often have personal, religious, health-related, or environmental reasons for their choice.
A recent study found that about 5% of Americans, 5% of Germans, and 8% of Canadians follow a vegetarian diet, with more women and younger people likely to have this preference.
Similarly, just as Muslims and Jews maintain strong reservations about pork-based products, some Hindus also avoid foods made from cows.
As a way-out, technology has offered the opportunity to meet these divergent consumer's needs with capsules made from plant-based materials.
Even for those with no restrictions in diet, the HPMC vegetarian capsules provide health-conscious consumers with natural alternatives to animal-derived capsules.
Finally, since the pandemic disrupted the global gelatin supply, many nutraceutical manufacturers have rethought their dependency on gelatin. And many have made a huge dive for these vegetable sources. With them, producers can have all Gelatin capsules' advantages and even more.
Moreover, in the cosmetics and personal care sector, HPMC functions as a thickener and emulsifier, providing a smooth and desirable texture in lotions, creams, and other formulations. Its film-forming properties not only enhance product performance but also improve applicability on the skin, making it a popular choice among formulators for beauty and personal care products.
The manufactured HEC can then be milled or processed further to meet particular industry-specific requirements. Its versatile properties make it a valuable ingredient across various formulations, enhancing texture, stability, and performance. As demand for eco-friendly and efficient materials continues to grow, the production of hydroxyethyl cellulose plays a significant role in sustainable development, ensuring its relevance and utility in the modern world.
Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) is a non-ionic, water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose, a natural polymer that constitutes the primary component of plant cell walls. The chemical structure of HEC consists of hydroxyethyl groups attached to the cellulose backbone, which enhances its solubility in water and modifies its physical properties. This makes HEC a versatile ingredient in various industries, particularly in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and construction.
