METHOCEL™ 311 is a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) thickener in powder format. Unlike other METHOCEL™ cellulose-based polymers that are only soluble in water, METHOCEL™ 311 exhibits good solubility in both water and organic solvents. This METHOCEL™ grade yields a viscosity of 120,000 cP at 2% in water and has the highest hydroxypropyl chemical substitution level of all METHOCEL™ grades, which is responsible for its high organosolubility property.

METHOCEL™ 311 is compatible with a number of common organic solvents, including isopropanol, ethanol, THF, DMF, and more. METHOCEL™ 311 Powder is commonly used in paint stripper and paint removal formulations. Here, METHOCEL™ allows for better vertical cling and improved dwell time such that solvents and other chemicals in these formulations are more effective at dissolving paint latexes. METHOCEL™ thickeners have excellent stability across a broad pH range and can be used in both acidic and alkaline systems. This stability also makes METHOCEL™ 311 a useful thickener for cleaning products that require stable viscosity and long shelf life. Due to its solubility in organic solvents, METHOCEL™ 311 may also be used as a binder and rheology modifier for gelled fuel applications.