The production of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose involves several basic steps, from purchasing raw materials to investing in the necessary instruments and labor. Kemox will use the data to bring you up to speed on the industry’s comprehensive hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose production costs.
Raw material for the production of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
HPMC production necessitates a variety of raw materials. The procurement cost of each ingredient is influenced by factors such as prevailing market conditions and geographical location.
Cellulose:
The cellulose for HPMC is mainly derived from cotton or wood, and Kemox uses Xinjiang refined cotton, which accounts for a significant portion of the total HPMC production costs. Costs fluctuate depending on the availability of cotton or wood, processing technology, and environmental regulations. Approximate pricing falls between US$500 to US$1500 per tonne.
Propylene oxide:
Propylene oxide is a critical raw material used in the etherification process. It reacts with cellulose to introduce propylene oxide groups to form hydroxypropyl cellulose. Propylene oxide is a rather costly component, generally priced between US$1,500 and US$2,000 per tonne.
Chloromethane:
Also known as methylene chloride, this raw material plays an integral role in the methylation process, forming the end product – HPMC. Chloromethane is pricier, usually costing between US $800 and US $1,200 per tonne.
Sodium hydroxide:
Commonly known as caustic soda, this compound aids cellulose’s alkali treatment, enhancing its reactivity during etherification and methylation. Sodium hydroxide is a relatively cost-effective ingredient, usually priced at $200 to $400 per tonne.
Hydrochloric acid:
This ingredient neutralizes the alkaline medium post-etherification and methylation reactions, ensuring a balanced pH in the HPMC product. Hydrochloric acid is comparatively inexpensive, costing around $100 to $200 per tonne.
Isopropanol:
Also known as isopropyl alcohol, this compound is used for washing and purification, removing any residual impurities from HPMC. Isopropanol has a price tag ranging from US$800 to US$1,200 per tonne.
Water:
Water serves multiple purposes in HPMC manufacturing, such as solvent preparation, washing, and acting as a reaction medium. It is often sourced locally and is less expensive than other raw materials.
The Factory Needs to Buy Instruments and Spend Manpower
Apart from raw material costs, setting up an HPMC production facility demands significant equipment, instruments, and skilled labor investment.
Reactors and Reaction Vessels:
These are vital for the etherification, methylation, and other chemical reactions involved in HPMC synthesis. The price tag for these components varies between $10,000 and $100,000, depending on their size and build material.
Purification and Filtration Equipment:
Separating and purifying the HPMC product requires equipment like centrifuges and filtration units. Such equipment can range from $5,000 to $50,000.
Analytical Instruments:
Quality assurance of HPMC products necessitates various testing and quality control tools, such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), and several physical testing instruments. These can range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Utilities and Infrastructure:
Manufacturing units also need to account for the costs related to utilities like electricity, water supply, waste disposal, and infrastructure development.
Human resources:
The HPMC manufacturing process requires well-trained operators. Plants must allocate budgets for employee wages, benefits, and training programs.
The above analysis shows us that the production cost of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose involves various factors, including the cost of raw materials, equipment, instruments, and labor. Each raw material’s price may differ depending on the market conditions and production process. We hope every customer can have a new understanding of HPMC after knowing the production cost of the product.
