Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a polymer derived from natural cellulose. Unlike cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose is highly water-soluble. CMC is used in some of our laundry detergents at low levels (0.5-1%). It is a dispersion polymer and helps keeping soil dispersed in the wash water, thereby preventing it from re-depositing onto the fabrics being laundered. The carboxymethyl cellulose  is produced by chemical modification of cellulose, the most abundant polymer in nature and a major component of wood and cotton. CMC is biodegraded aerobically and anaerobically by bacteria commonly found in the environment. However, its biodegradation rates range from slow to very slow. Biodegradation produces smaller CMC fragments and sugars. By replacing one or more of cellulose's hydroxyls with carboxymethyl groups by etherification, water soluble CMC is obtained. CMC acts as thickener, rheology modifier, water retention aid, filtration reducer, binder, dispersant, protective colloid, floating aid, crystallization inhibitor, ions exchanger, etc. This wide range of properties makes CMC virtually useful everywhere water is involved in a process and more typically in ceramics, coatings, detergency, drilling fluids, food, mining, paper, textiles (sizing and printing).