Wood products: Everywhere for everyone

• Bath towels
• Toothpaste
• Nail polish
• Makeup
• Disinfecting wipes
• Medications
• Paints
• LCD screens
• Ping-pong balls

Paints

Some paints contain the wood component hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), a gelling and thickening agent used to match the texture of a liquid product to consumers’ needs. For example, manufacturers use HEC to produce low-spatter paints. HEC is also widely used in cosmetics, adhesives, detergents and other household products.

HEC is produced in a process similar to that used to make carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), which is an ingredient in toothpaste and makeup. Like CMC, HEC bonds easily with water, but the strength of the bond is relatively lower, making HEC well suited for making thinner liquids.