The etherification method is the mainstream preparation method for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, which can be subdivided into continuous etherification method, one-step etherification method, etc. The continuous etherification method refers to the use of alkali cellulose as material, adding etherification solution, and finally obtaining the product after pressurization, repeated heating and repeated condensation. German Kalle and American Dow (DOW) among the earliest companies in the world to use etherification method to prepare hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In terms of localization, China's hydroxyyl methylcellulose industry started late, but it has developed rapidly, and some enterprises have already had the production capacity of high-performance products.

 Hydroxyprop methylcellulose has excellent comprehensive performance and is widely used in many fields. In the food field, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, as a food, has the functions of thickening, increasing nutritional components, and preventing precipitation, and can be added to condiments, dairy products, and beverages; in the medical, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, as a pharmaceutical excipient, can be added to ophthalmic drugs; in the construction field, hydroxyprop methylcellulose, as a water-retaining agent, can be added to cement mortar. With the continuous growth of application demand, the market space of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose continues to expand. According to the "2024-2029 China Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (MC) Industry Market Deep Research and Development Prospect Forecast Report" released by Xinzhi Jie Industrial Research Center, the global hydroxypropyl methylcellose market size reached nearly 1 billion US dollars in 2023. In 2023, a research team at Stanford University in the States successfully developed a hydrogel platform that can carry long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist preparations based on the interaction between polymer nanoparticles and hydrophob modified hydroxypropyl methylcellulose derivatives. This research will be applied in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in the future. In the future with the continuous deepening of research, the development trend of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose industry will continue to be positive. 

The main manufacturers of hydroxyyl methylcellulose in China include Jinchang Xingtai, Shandong HeDa, and Henan TianSheng, etc. Jinch Xingtai is a representative enterprise of China's high-end cellulose ether, and its main products include building-grade HPMC, CM, etc. to the annual report of Jinchang Xingtai, the company's cellulose ether series products capacity utilization rate reached 93.4% in 023. Xinzhi Jie industry analysts stated that in the future, with the continuous expansion of the market space of pharmaceutical-grade HPMC the development speed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose industry is expected to accelerate. In recent years, with the progress of technology, high quality has gradually become main direction of the development of China's hydroxypropyl methylcellulose industry.