AVICEL® Microcrystalline Cellulose

Sustainable, Plant-Based Stabilization

AVICEL® microcrystalline cellulose (MCC or cellulose gel) was invented in 1957 by accident, but it immediately gained traction with the food industry as it delivers mouthfeel and texture to a product without adding any calories.

Ideal for a broad range of applications, including dairy and beverage, our plant-based formulations add fiber and reduce calorie content while maintaining a heightened sensory experience.

Our experienced global team has developed versatile solutions that contribute to consistent, high-quality formulations—helping you avoid phase separation, poor suspension of insoluble particles, crystal growth in frozen desserts, and other common challenges.

AVICEL® solutions are plant-sourced from cellulose, the most abundant organic compound on Earth.

In 1965 AVICEL®

was included as a medication in Apollo 11 mission health & safety kits.

The Role of Microcrystalline Cellulose in Food Products

In the realm of food products, microcrystalline cellulose proves to be a versatile and indispensable ingredient. Its unique properties allow it to play various roles, enhancing both the texture and stability of food products.

Three glasses of flavored milk, sitting next to each other.

Vanilla bean ice cream in a white bowl with vanilla beans on top and in the background.

Ice Cream Enhancer

Microcrystalline cellulose is a game-changer in the world of ice cream. It acts as a thickening agent, creating a rich and creamy texture that seamlessly melts in the mouth. Simultaneously, it stabilizes the mixture, preventing ice crystal formation while preserving the smoothness of the final product. The emulsifying properties of microcrystalline cellulose aid in achieving the perfect blend of flavors, preventing separation of oil-based and water-based ingredients. Finally, its flowability-enhancing nature ensures consistent and efficient production on a large scale.

Why Choose IFF AVICEL® Microcrystalline Cellulose

Global Support

With offices, application and research centers, and manufacturing facilities across the globe, IFF offers a robust network to support our customers everywhere. Our two strategically located manufacturing sites in the U.S. and Thailand ensure reliable service worldwide.

Quality Assurance

Our World-class Quality Management System assures the highest levels of quality and food safety.

Specialty Solutions

AVICEL® variants are tailored to deliver in consumer products for each end-use market. AVICEL® can also provide its functionalities through AVICEL-PLUS®—a synergistic formulation where multiple IFF ingredients are combined into a system blend to deliver the best customer solution.

IFF MCC Applications

Dairy

Suitable for dairy drinks, creamers (powdered and liquid), and yogurts, AVICEL® allows for foam, emulsion, and heat stability while enhancing texture and mouthfeel. Low sensitivity to variations in milk protein quality promises consistent performance. Superior suspension offers extended shelf life.

Beverages

Add texture and improved flavor delivery to your plant-based, high-protein, milk-based or juice beverages. Meet consumer demand for heightened fiber and longer shelf life through controlled separation and heat stability.

Bakery Fillings

From creamy to cheesy to fruit — bakery fillings become more spreadable, stable, and easier to disperse with our microcrystalline cellulose solutions. AVICEL® formulations also stand out for their ability to deliver high viscosity and low shear activation, ensuring stable, pumpable fillings with consistent texture and excellent bake and freeze-thaw stability.

Frozen Desserts

Ensure heat-shock protection for your frozen desserts and ice creams. Replace fats and oils while maintaining creamy mouthfeel and smooth texture to meet consumer expectations. Our MCC solutions help achieve foam stability, control ice crystal growth, and protect against shrinkage.

Culinary

Cost-effectively replace fats and oils while achieving decadently creamy textures with salad dressings, ketchup, soups, and ready-to-heat sauces. AVICEL® allows you formulation versatility with foam, emulsion, controlled separation, and heat stability.

Personal Care Products

From facial cleansers and creams to mousses and emulsions, these ingredients act as rheology modifiers, emulsion stabilizers, thickeners, and foam stabilizers to maintain uniformity and prevent phase separation. They deliver smooth, non-greasy textures, easy spreadability, and consistent, high-quality formulations without synthetic polymers.

A bathroom countertop with three bodycare products from IFF's cosmetic formulation Oum. The products include a dropper bottle labeled

Toothpastes

In toothpaste formulations, IFF AVICEL® delivers the viscosity and body needed for smooth, stable gels and pastes that hold their shape. Its superior suspension properties keep solid particles evenly dispersed, while optimized abrasivity ensures effective cleaning with minimal enamel wear—providing consumers a pleasant, smooth mouthfeel.

Do More Good™ with IFF MCC

Discover the good we can do together.

NOVAGEL ®

In addition to AVICEL®, we offer NOVAGEL®—a microcrystalline cellulose solution developed specifically for the Asia-Pacific market. Produced at our Rayong, Thailand facility, NOVAGEL® is tailored to meet regional formulation and distribution needs, offering stability in hot climates and suitability for ambient storage. It supports innovation in high-protein beverages, RTD coffee, and culinary sauces, helping manufacturers deliver consistent quality across diverse applications.

Transform Ideas into Market-Ready Innovations

Bring your vision to life with IFF’s expertise in food and beverage innovation. Together, we can turn bold ideas into groundbreaking microcrystalline cellulose solutions.

AVICEL® Microcrystalline Cellulose

Sustainable, Plant-Based Stabilization

The Role of Microcrystalline Cellulose in Food Products

Thickening Agent

Stabilizer

Emulsifier

Promotes Flowability