Ethyl cellulose
9004-57-3 · Aquacoat · Cellulose ethyl ether · E 462 · Ethyl cellulose · Ethyl cellulose pound EC pound(c) · Ethyl cellulose viscosity 20cP · Ethyl cellulose, viscosity 45-55 cP, 5 % in toluene/ethanol 80:20(lit.) · Surelease · E462 · 2-[4,5-diethoxy-2-(ethoxymethyl)-6-methoxy-oxan-3-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxy-oxane-3,4-diol · 2-[4,5-diethoxy-2-(ethoxymethyl)-6-methoxyoxan-3-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxyoxane-3,4-diol · Ethyl cellulose, viscosity 18-22 cP, 5 % in toluene/ethanol 80:20(lit.), extent of labeling: 4% ethoxyl · Ethyl cellulose, viscosity 9-11 cP, 5 % in toluene/ethanol 80:20(lit.), extent of labeling 48% ethoxyl · Ethyl cellulose, viscosity 90-110 cP, 5 % in toluene/ethanol 80:20(lit.), extent of labeling 48% ethoxyl · Ethyl celluloseE number E462CAS 9004-57-3
Used as a thickener — Codex also lists it as bulking agent, carrier, glazing agent, stabilizer.
Ethylcellulose is a film former and binder used in coatings and to encapsulate flavours, and as a structuring agent in some confectionery.
Where it is and isn’t permitted
| Jurisdiction | Status | Scope and limits | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Permitted, with conditions | 21 CFR 172.868retrieved 2026-09-07 | |
| Codex Alimentarius | Permitted | no numerical limit (good manufacturing practice) | CXS 192-1995 Table Three, INS 462retrieved 2026-09-07 |
What it is made from
Made by treating purified cellulose with ethylating agents. Unlike most modified celluloses it is not water-soluble, which is what makes it useful as a barrier film.
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- CAS registry number
- 9004-57-3
- InChIKey
- ZZSNKZQZMQGXPY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- PubChem
- CID 24832091
Every name it appears under
16 recorded names. A label may use any of them.
E number
- E462
CAS registry number
- 9004-57-3
As it appears in regulation
- Ethyl cellulose
Other names
- Aquacoat
- Cellulose ethyl ether
- E 462
- Ethyl cellulose
- Ethyl cellulose pound EC pound(c)
- Ethyl cellulose viscosity 20cP
- Ethyl cellulose, viscosity 45-55 cP, 5 % in toluene/ethanol 80:20(lit.)
- Surelease
Systematic names
- 2-[4,5-diethoxy-2-(ethoxymethyl)-6-methoxy-oxan-3-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxy-oxane-3,4-diol
- 2-[4,5-diethoxy-2-(ethoxymethyl)-6-methoxyoxan-3-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxyoxane-3,4-diol
- Ethyl cellulose, viscosity 18-22 cP, 5 % in toluene/ethanol 80:20(lit.), extent of labeling: 4% ethoxyl
- Ethyl cellulose, viscosity 9-11 cP, 5 % in toluene/ethanol 80:20(lit.), extent of labeling 48% ethoxyl
- Ethyl cellulose, viscosity 90-110 cP, 5 % in toluene/ethanol 80:20(lit.), extent of labeling 48% ethoxyl
Hazard reference values
No reference value for this substance in the sources we hold.
Evidence and how bodies read it
Studies, and the differing conclusions regulators drew from them, are curated by hand rather than machine-read, and none has been written for this substance yet.
Sources for this page
- ecfr retrieved 2026-09-07
- gsfa retrieved 2026-09-07
Full licence terms and publisher details on Sources. How this page is built and updated: Method.
Machine-readable:/api/v1/additives/ethyl-cellulose.json