.  In Detergent powder, it is used as a soil suspension polymer designed to deposite onto cotton and other cellulosic fabrics, creating a negatively charged barrier to soils in the wash solution.

2. CMC is used in food as a viscosity modifier or thickener and to stabilize emulsions in various products including ice cream.

3. It is also a constituent of many non-food products, such as toothpaste, laxatives, diet pills, water-based paints, textile sizing, and various paper products.

4. In the oil-drilling industry, as an ingredients of drilling mud, where it act as a viscosity modifier and water retention agent.

5. Sometimes, it is used as an electrode binder in advanced battery applications.  

Food Grade CMC (E466) is a modified cellulose gum (cellulose is also known as plant fibre). In foods, it is used as a stabiliser, thickener, film former, suspending agent and extender. Applications include ice cream, dressings, pies, sauces, and puddings. It is available in various viscosities depending on the function it is to serve.

Food Grade CMC tends to give clear, slightly gummy, solutions. It is generally soluble in cold water but difficult to disperse in hot. CMC is used to thicken dry mix beverage, syrups, ripples and ice cream, and also to stabilise ice cream, batters and sour milk. It gives moisture retention to cake mixes and water binding and thickening to icings.