It was pioneered by Germany in 19 18, and was patented in 192 1, making it known to the world. Since then, commercial production has been realized in Europe. At that time, it was just a rough product, used as colloid and adhesive. During the period from1936 to1941year, the industrial application research of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose was quite active, and several enlightening patents were invented. During World War II, Germany used sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to synthesize detergent. Hercules company made sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for the first time in the United States on 1943, and produced refined sodium carboxymethyl cellulose on 1946, which is recognized as a safe food additive. It was adopted in China in 1970s and widely used in 1990s. It is the most widely used and versatile cellulose in the world today.
Structural formula: C6H7O2(OH)2OCH2COONa molecular formula: C8H 1 1O7Na.