USD 28–48 mn2025 estimate
PRESS RELEASE · 30 OCTOBER 2026
Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Market Estimated at USD 1–1.4 bn in 2025, Says Market Krystal
MARKET KRYSTAL ESTIMATE
USD 1–1.4 bnMethyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose market, 2025- Confidence
- Grade B
- Forecast
- 2026–2035
- Scenarios
- to 2047
30 October 2026 – Market Krystal has published its Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose market report, covering demand, supply, the value chain and market size, with a forecast for 2026–2035 and scenarios to 2047.
MHEC, also called HEMC, is a non-ionic cellulose ether made by etherifying cellulose pulp with methyl chloride and ethylene oxide. It is the main water-retention and rheology additive in European cement tile adhesives, renders, plasters, skim coats, grouts and other dry-mix mortars, with smaller uses in paints, pharma and food. Supply depends on a few integrated cellulose ether makers in Germany, Korea, the US and China, and on cellulose pulp, methyl chloride and ethylene oxide costs.
Key findings
Demand
Cement tile adhesives are the largest use, at about 35% of construction volumes (Market Intelo), and Europe is the largest consuming region for MHEC.
Supply
Main producers are Dow (Walocel), SE Tylose (Shin-Etsu), Lotte Fine Chemical, Ashland and Chinese makers such as Shandong Head.
Value chain
Cellulose pulp (wood pulp or cotton linters) + Methyl chloride + Ethylene oxide → MHEC → Cement tile adhesives (C1, C2, C2TE, S1), Gypsum and cement plasters and renders, Skim coats and wall putty
THE QUESTION THE REPORT ANSWERSHow large is the MHEC market for tile adhesives and dry-mix mortars, who supplies it, and how will Chinese price pressure and low-carbon mortar trends reshape supply and demand to 2035?
Companies covered include
DowSE Tylose (Shin-Etsu)Lotte Fine ChemicalAshlandShandong HeadSaint-Gobain WeberSikaMapei
Recent developments
Lotte Fine Chemical reported about 70 kt/yr of cellulose capacity, a new Incheon food and pharma line in production from H1 2026, and the purchase of a 10 kt/yr HEC plant in Yeosu from Lotte Chemical. Asia Economy
Chinese cellulose ether producers raised prices for all grades by RMB 1,000-2,000/t from April after prices hit a three-year low and many producers ran at a loss. China Merchants Securities, citing Baiinfo
Ashland closed its Parlin, New Jersey plant and moved HEC production to an expanded Hopewell, Virginia plant, leaving a US, Europe and China cellulose ether network. Ashland
THE FULL REPORT
Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (MHEC, dry-mix grade) Market Report 2026-2035: Size, Producers, Pricing and Scenarios to 2047 (CAS 9032-42-2)
Producers and capacities, demand by application and region, value chain, pricing, market size and scenarios. PDF and Excel.
About Market Krystal
Market Krystal is a chemical market intelligence company. It publishes CAS-level market reports that follow each molecule from feedstock and production route through producers, applications and end users, and tracks chemical-industry developments from official company and regulator sources.