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HPMC supplier in Saudi Arabia

Al Reed Commercial Company supplies construction grade HPMC and HEMC cellulose ethers to dry-mix mortar, tile adhesive, wall putty and plaster manufacturers in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. We are the official Saudi agent for SE Tylose of Germany and have traded cellulose ethers in the Kingdom since 1984.

What HPMC does in a dry-mix mortar

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a water-soluble cellulose ether. In cement and gypsum mortars it holds mixing water in the mortar long enough for the binder to hydrate, instead of losing it to a porous substrate or to hot, dry air. That single job drives most of what a formulator sees on site: longer open time, better adhesion, fewer cracks and a creamier, easier trowel.

It also thickens the wet mortar, which controls slump and sag on walls, and it entrains a small amount of air that improves workability. Modified grades add anti-sag behaviour for large-format tiles and thick-bed work.

In Saudi conditions water retention matters more than almost anything else. Substrates that sit at 50 to 60 degrees in summer pull water out of a thin adhesive bed in minutes. A cellulose ether chosen for high-temperature water retention is the difference between a tile that bonds and one that sounds hollow a month later.

HPMC, HEMC and HEC: which one

HPMC and HEMC (also written MHEC) do the same job in dry-mix and are often interchangeable. HEMC usually has a higher thermal gelation temperature, so it keeps its water retention better in hot mortar and on hot substrates. That is why many Gulf tile adhesive producers run HEMC in summer formulations. HPMC is widely used, well understood and often the more economical choice.

HEC (hydroxyethyl cellulose) has no thermal gel point and dissolves in hot or cold water. It is the standard thickener for water-based emulsion paints, where it is valued for colour acceptance, storage stability and spatter resistance. It is rarely the first choice in cement mortars. See our paint and coatings raw materials page for HEC.

Viscosity grades and how to compare them

Cellulose ethers are sold by viscosity class, measured on a 1% or 2% solution. Figures such as 40,000, 75,000 or 100,000 mPa·s only mean something when you know the method (Brookfield or Haake rotational viscometer), the concentration and the temperature. Two suppliers can quote the same number for materials that behave very differently. When you compare a sample against your current grade, compare them in your own formulation, on the same day, with the same water demand.

Higher viscosity generally gives more water retention and more thickening at the same dose. Surface-treated grades disperse in cold water without lumping and are the norm for dry-mix.

Typical dosage in common products

These are starting points seen in published formulations, not a validated recipe. Your cement, filler grading and climate will move them.

Buying HPMC in Saudi Arabia

When buying HPMC the practical questions are lead time, consistency between batches and who stands behind the product when a batch misbehaves. We hold stock in Saudi Arabia, which turns an 8 to 12 week import cycle into local delivery. Every batch ships with a certificate of analysis, and our team has worked with cellulose ethers in Saudi dry-mix plants for four decades.

Cellulose ethers are usually classified under HS heading 3912.39. Your customs broker should confirm the code for each shipment.

Frequently asked questions

Dosage figures on this page are typical starting points drawn from common industry practice. They are not a validated formula. Confirm every formulation by laboratory testing to the relevant standard. Updated 2026-09-28.