Used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in cosmetics and personal care products such as lotions, creams, and hair styling gels due to its water-soluble and film-forming properties. Also employed in pharmaceuticals as a binder in tablets and in topical formulations for controlled release of active ingredients. In industrial applications, it acts as a dispersant and adhesive promoter in coatings and inks. Its low toxicity and good compatibility with other polymers make it suitable for use in adhesives and in some food packaging materials. Additionally, it is utilized in research and development for stimuli-responsive hydrogels because of its temperature-dependent solubility behavior.