Product Overview CMS

Carboxymethyl Starch (CMS) is a water-soluble modified starch produced by the carboxymethylation of natural starch. It forms stable colloidal solutions with controllable viscosity and is widely used as a thickener, binder, and sizing agent across textile printing, paper manufacturing, and industrial applications.

ZHAOYUAN supplies CMS in grades tailored for reactive printing, disperse printing, paper sizing, and oilfield drilling fluid applications. The textile printing grades are a cost-effective alternative to sodium alginate, offering comparable performance at lower dosage.

Grades & Specifications

High-viscosity, high-substitution grade. An ideal substitute for sodium alginate in reactive dye printing pastes. Provides excellent screen penetration, bright color shades, and high color yield with easy wash-out.

ParameterSpecification
AppearanceWhite or off-white powder, odorless and tasteless
Degree of Substitution (DS)0.30 – 0.90
Viscosity (4% solution)≥ 80,000 mPa·s
Chloride Content≤ 3.0%
Loss on Drying≤ 10.0%
pH (1% solution)6.0 – 9.0
SolubilityEasily soluble in water; insoluble in ethanol and ether
Packaging25 kg kraft paper bags
Shelf Life6 months under proper storage conditions

Key Features

  • Excellent solubility with rapid paste formation
  • High paste yield at low dosage — reduces production costs
  • Excellent screen penetration, bright color shades, and high color yield
  • Good chemical stability and compatibility with dyes and textile auxiliaries
  • Excellent wash-out properties with soft fabric hand feel

Medium- to low-substitution grade. Rapidly disperses and swells in water, making it an ideal base material for disperse dye printing pastes. Excellent compatibility when blended with CMC, guar gum, tamarind gum, and other thickeners.

ParameterSpecification
AppearanceWhite or off-white powder, odorless and tasteless
Degree of Substitution (DS)0.25 – 0.28
Viscosity (4% solution)≥ 55,000 mPa·s
Chloride Content≤ 3.0%
Loss on Drying≤ 8.0%
pH (1% solution)6.0 – 8.0
SolubilityEasily soluble in water; insoluble in ethanol and ether
Packaging25 kg kraft paper bags
Shelf Life3 months under proper storage conditions

Key Features

  • Excellent dispersibility and rapid paste formation
  • High paste yield at low dosage — reduces production costs
  • Good screen penetration and high color yield
  • Excellent chemical stability and compatibility with dyes and auxiliaries
  • Good wash-out performance with satisfactory fabric hand feel

CMS for paper sizing is used as a surface sizing agent and wet-end additive in paper and board manufacturing. It improves surface strength, reduces porosity, and enhances printability. An economical alternative to oxidized starch and CMC for standard paper grades. Compatible with both size press and film press application.

Typical viscosity range: 1,000 – 10,000 mPa·s. Specific grade specifications available on request — contact us with your paper type and application method.

Specifications available on request.

Modified starch for oilfield drilling fluid applications functions as a fluid loss control agent and viscosifier in water-based mud systems. It offers a cost-effective alternative to PAC and CMC in less demanding drilling conditions, particularly in low-temperature and low-salinity environments.

Suitable for use in freshwater and lightly brackish water-based drilling muds. Specifications and recommended dosage available on request — contact us with your well conditions and mud system details.

Specifications available on request.

Applications

Reactive Dye Printing
High-viscosity grade used as a sodium alginate substitute in reactive printing pastes. Excellent color yield and screen penetration on cotton and linen fabrics.
Disperse Dye Printing
Medium- to low-DS grade for disperse printing pastes on polyester. Compatible with CMC, guar gum, and tamarind gum for blended paste formulations.
Paper Sizing
Surface sizing and wet-end additive for paper and board. Improves surface strength, smoothness, and printability. Economical alternative to CMC.
Oilfield Drilling
Fluid loss control agent and viscosifier in freshwater and lightly brackish water-based drilling muds. Cost-effective for standard drilling conditions.
Textile Sizing
Warp sizing agent for cotton and blended yarns. Provides good film formation and adhesion to protect yarn during weaving, with easy desizing.
Other Industrial
Used as a binder and adhesive in various industrial applications. Contact us with your specific application requirements.

Packaging & Storage

Standard Packaging 25 kg kraft paper bags
Storage Conditions Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. CMS is hygroscopic — keep sealed after opening.
Shelf Life 3–6 months depending on grade (reactive printing: 6 months; disperse printing: 3 months)
HS Code 3505.20 (Glues based on starches or dextrins)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CMS (Carboxymethyl Starch) used for?

CMS is used as a thickening base in reactive and disperse dye printing pastes for textiles, a surface sizing agent in paper and board manufacturing, a warp sizing agent in textile weaving, and a cost-effective fluid loss control agent in oilfield drilling fluids.

What's the difference between the reactive and disperse printing grades?

The reactive printing grade has a higher degree of substitution (DS 0.30–0.90) and viscosity (≥80,000 mPa·s), giving excellent screen penetration and color yield on cotton and linen. The disperse printing grade has a lower DS (0.25–0.28) and viscosity (≥55,000 mPa·s), rapidly dispersing in water and blending well with CMC, guar gum, and tamarind gum for polyester printing pastes.

Can CMS replace CMC in oilfield drilling fluids?

Yes, for less demanding conditions — CMS functions as a fluid loss control agent and viscosifier in freshwater and lightly brackish water-based drilling muds, offering a cost-effective alternative to PAC and CMC in low-temperature, low-salinity environments.

How long does CMS last in storage?

Shelf life varies by grade — 6 months for the reactive printing grade and 3 months for the disperse printing grade, under proper cool, dry storage conditions away from moisture and direct sunlight. CMS is hygroscopic, so bags should be kept sealed after opening.

Is CMS suitable for paper sizing applications?

Yes — CMS works as a surface sizing agent and wet-end additive in paper and board manufacturing, improving surface strength, reducing porosity, and enhancing printability at a typical viscosity range of 1,000–10,000 mPa·s, as an economical alternative to oxidized starch and CMC.

What is the minimum order and lead time for CMS?

Minimum order is 1 MT (negotiable), with a typical lead time of 7–15 days depending on grade and quantity. Contact us with your grade, quantity, and application to confirm current lead times.

What factors affect the price of CMS?

Pricing depends on grade (reactive printing, disperse printing, paper sizing, or oilfield), degree of substitution and viscosity, order quantity, and destination/shipping terms. Contact us with your grade and quantity for a quote.

Is an MSDS or COA provided with CMS orders?

Yes — a certificate of analysis (COA) confirming DS, viscosity, and purity, along with a material safety data sheet (MSDS), are available on request with every shipment.

Is ZHAOYUAN a CMS manufacturer or a trading company?

ZHAOYUAN supplies CMS directly from China with export capability for bulk orders worldwide, and also delivers turnkey EPC engineering for cellulose ether production plants — giving customers both a chemical supply source and a manufacturing-side engineering partner.