What is HEMA?
HEMA (Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) is a versatile functional monomer that combines a polymerisable methacrylate group with a reactive hydroxyl group, making it one of the most important hydrophilic monomers used in polymer chemistry. It is a colourless liquid that, when polymerised or copolymerised, produces hydrophilic polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water while maintaining structural integrity — a property that has made it foundational to the soft contact lens industry since its commercial introduction.
Polychem Industries supplies HEMA in industrial grade and high purity grade to acrylic resin manufacturers, coating formulators, dental material producers, and specialty polymer companies across India and internationally. Its unique hydrophilic functionality combined with its methacrylate reactivity makes it a critical specialty monomer across biomedical, coatings, and adhesive applications.
Available Grades
| Grade | Form | Purity | Standard | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Grade | Colourless to pale yellow liquid | 96%+ (Industrial Grade) / 99%+ (High Purity Grade) | Industrial | Acrylic resins, coatings, adhesives, paints |
| High Purity Grade | Colourless liquid | 99%+ | Medical / Contact Lens Grade | Contact lenses, dental materials, biomedical applications |
Applications & Uses
Contact Lenses & Biomedical Materials
The most well-known application. High Purity Grade HEMA is polymerised to produce poly(HEMA) hydrogels, the foundational material for soft contact lenses due to their excellent water content, oxygen permeability, and biocompatibility with the eye.
Dental Materials
Used in dental adhesive and resin formulations, where its hydrophilic character helps improve adhesion to moist tooth dentin surfaces, an important property for dental bonding agents and restorative materials.
Acrylic Resins & Coatings
Used as a functional comonomer in acrylic resin and coating formulations, where the hydroxyl group provides a reactive site for crosslinking with isocyanates or other crosslinking agents, improving adhesion, hardness, and chemical resistance.
Adhesives
Used in specialty adhesive formulations where the combination of polymerisable methacrylate functionality and reactive hydroxyl groups contributes to improved adhesion and crosslinking density in the cured adhesive.
Hydrogel & Drug Delivery Applications
Used in the production of various hydrogel materials for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, including certain drug delivery systems that take advantage of the controlled water-swelling properties of HEMA-based polymers.
Specialty Polymer Synthesis
Used as a building block in the synthesis of various specialty functional copolymers requiring hydroxyl-functional reactive sites for subsequent chemical modification or crosslinking reactions.
Technical Specifications
HEMA — Key Properties
Why Source HEMA from Polychem Industries?
- Industrial Grade and High Purity Grade available for all application needs
- High Purity Grade suitable for contact lens and biomedical applications
- Certificate of Analysis and technical data sheet on request
- Reliable supply for acrylic resin and specialty polymer manufacturers
- Competitive pricing for this specialty functional monomer
- Export documentation experience for international shipments
