Product Overview XG

Xanthan Gum is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide produced by fermentation of Xanthomonas campestris. It is widely valued for its exceptional pseudoplastic rheology — providing high viscosity at low shear rates while flowing freely under pumping conditions — making it ideal for both oilfield and food applications.

ZHAOYUAN supplies Xanthan Gum in oilfield grade (compliant with API and GB/T5005 standards) and food grade (E415). Products are manufactured to consistent quality with full COA documentation provided for every shipment.

Specifications

Parameter Specification Test Method
Standard GB/T5005 · API
Appearance Off-white or light yellow free-flowing powder or granular Visual
Dry Sieve Analysis — US #40 ≥ 95.0% GB/T500515.5
Dry Sieve Analysis — US #200 ≤ 50.0% GB/T500515.5
pH (1% solution) 6.0 – 8.0 Manufacturer's standard
Shearing Ratio ≥ 6.5 GB1886.41
Loss on Drying ≤ 13.0% GB1886.41
Ash Content ★ ≤ 13.0% GB1886.41
Pyruvic Acid ★ ≥ 1.5% GB1886.41
Starch / Starch Derivatives Absent GB/T500515.2
Guar Gum ★ Absent GB/T500515.3
Dispersion No lumps Manufacturer's standard
Viscosity @ 600 rpm (dial reading) ≥ 70 GB/T500515.6
Viscosity @ 300 rpm ≥ 55 GB/T500515.6
Viscosity @ 200 rpm ≥ 45 GB/T500515.6
Viscosity @ 100 rpm ≥ 35 GB/T500515.6
Viscosity @ 6 rpm ≥ 18 GB/T500515.6
Viscosity @ 3 rpm ≥ 16 GB/T500515.6
Apparent Viscosity @ 1.5 r/min ≥ 1,950 mPa·s GB/T500515.7

★ Items marked are guaranteed specification items. Full COA provided with every shipment.

Parameter Specification Test Method
Standard Food Grade · E415
Appearance Off-white to cream free-flowing powder Visual
Viscosity (1% solution, 25°C) ≥ 1,200 mPa·s Brookfield
Loss on Drying ≤ 13.0%
pH (1% solution) 6.0 – 8.0 pH meter
Ash Content 6.5 – 16.0%
Pyruvic Acid ≥ 1.5%
Total Plate Count ≤ 2,000 cfu/g

Food grade COA and MSDS available on request. Contact us for specific food application requirements.

Applications

Oilfield Drilling
Viscosifier and suspension agent in water-based drilling fluids. Excellent shear-thinning properties allow easy pumping while maintaining wellbore stability at rest.
Food & Beverage
Thickener and stabilizer in sauces, dressings, dairy products, baked goods, and gluten-free formulations. Stable over a wide pH and temperature range.
Personal Care
Rheology modifier in shampoos, lotions, and cosmetic gels. Provides smooth texture and suspension of active ingredients.
HDD & Tunneling
Used in horizontal directional drilling fluids to carry cuttings, lubricate the drill string, and stabilize the borehole in soft or unstable ground conditions.
Industrial & Agricultural
Suspending agent in pesticide formulations, thickener in paints and coatings, and stabilizer in industrial cleaners.
EOR — Enhanced Oil Recovery
Applied in polymer flooding EOR projects to improve sweep efficiency and mobility control in reservoir conditions.

Packaging & Storage

Standard Packaging 25 kg kraft paper bags with inner polyethylene liner
Bulk Packaging 500 kg / 1,000 kg jumbo bags available on request
Storage Conditions Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep away from moisture and direct sunlight.
Shelf Life 2 years from date of manufacture under recommended storage conditions
HS Code 3913.90 (Polysaccharides and their derivatives)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is xanthan gum used for in drilling fluids?

Oilfield-grade xanthan gum works as a viscosifier and suspension agent in water-based drilling fluids. Its shear-thinning properties let the fluid pump easily under flow while still maintaining suspension and wellbore stability when circulation stops.

What's the difference between oilfield-grade and food-grade xanthan gum?

Oilfield grade is tested against drilling-fluid specific parameters including shearing ratio (≥6.5) and viscosity readings at multiple rotational speeds (600 down to 3 rpm). Food-grade xanthan gum meets E415 specification, with viscosity ≥1,200 mPa·s (1% solution) and a total plate count limit of ≤2,000 cfu/g for food safety.

Does this xanthan gum contain starch or guar gum?

No — both starch/starch derivatives and guar gum are tested as absent per GB/T500515.2 and GB/T500515.3, two of the guaranteed specification items covered by the certificate of analysis (COA) provided with every shipment.

Is xanthan gum used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR)?

Yes — xanthan gum is applied in polymer flooding EOR projects to improve sweep efficiency and mobility control under reservoir conditions, in addition to its use in HDD/tunneling fluids, industrial thickening, and agricultural suspension applications.

What is the pyruvic acid content and why does it matter?

Pyruvic acid content is guaranteed at ≥1.5% for both oilfield and food grades. Pyruvic acid substitution level is directly linked to the polymer's viscosity-building performance, so this is one of the guaranteed specification items backed by COA on every shipment.

How is xanthan gum packaged and stored?

Standard packaging is 25 kg kraft paper bags with an inner polyethylene liner, with 500 kg or 1,000 kg jumbo bags available for bulk orders. Shelf life is 2 years from the manufacture date when stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from moisture and direct sunlight.

What factors affect the price of xanthan gum?

Pricing depends on grade (oilfield vs. food), viscosity performance, order quantity, packaging, and destination/shipping terms. Contact us with your grade and quantity for a quote.

Is an MSDS or COA provided with xanthan gum orders?

Yes — a full certificate of analysis (COA) covering the guaranteed specification items and a material safety data sheet (MSDS) are available on request with every shipment.

Is ZHAOYUAN a xanthan gum manufacturer or a trading company?

ZHAOYUAN supplies xanthan gum 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.