One of the applications of MCA and SMCA is in the manufacture of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). CMC is a water soluble cellulose ether and is used in various applications as a liquid thickener.

Applications of CMC

For food products, dyes, ceramics, detergents, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, drilling, building materials, and warp yarn

MCA and SMCA are used in the following applications as raw materials in agriculture (herbicides).

• 2,4-D
• MCPA

MCA and SMCA are used for manufacturing surfactants included hypo-allergenic shampoos, liquid soap, and betaine - an increasing important raw material of cleaning agents for metals.

MCA is a raw material of thioglycolic acid typically used in the following applications.

• Cold permanent wave solution
• polyvinyl chloride stabilizer

MCA is also used in the following applications.

• SMCA
• Cyanate ester, cyanoacrylate adhesives, vitamin B6
  
• Malonic ester
• Phenoxyacetic acid
  
• Chloroacetyl chloride
• Purine
• Glycine
• Indigo
• Dimethoate
• Modified starch

MCA and SMCA have a wide range of applications in food products, pharmaceutical products, agriculture, and fragrances. They also have the potential of being used in fields in which they have never been used before. MCA is manufactured using acetic acid and chlorine as raw materials. It is used as an intermediate in many chemical products. It is highly soluble in water, and it also has high solubility in methanol and ethanol. SMCA is white powder and is manufactured by reacting MCA and sodium. It is used in the same fields as MCA.