Cellulose ethers are white or light yellow solids, usually in granular or powder form (moisture content up to 10%). The apparent density of the powder ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 g/cm3. The apparent density of some fiber-containing products is less than 0.2 g/cm3.
Depending on the application, manufacturers can adjust different purity grades. High-purity products are odorless and tasteless. Untreated products may contain up to 40 wt% of sodium salts, such as NaCl. Additives can be mixed into the product as needed to ensure its stability, controlled solubility and easy processing. In addition, most industrial cellulose ethers can be mixed with other water-soluble polymers, such as starch products, natural resins or polyacrylamide, to obtain a mixed product with the required rheological properties and other physical properties.