It is used in food products as a thickener and stabilizer in pharmaceuticals as a binder and controlled-release agent and in cosmetics and detergents as a viscosity modifier.

Its purpose is to improve texture enhance stability and control the flow properties of formulations by increasing viscosity and preventing separation of ingredients.

It is a white odorless and tasteless powder derived from cellulose in which carboxymethyl groups are introduced into the polymer chain making it highly soluble in water and capable of forming viscous solutions.