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In the semi-dilute regime, polymer solution viscosity rises roughly with the cube of concentration, so the concentration needed scales with the cube root of the viscosity ratio. Doubling viscosity needs about 26% more thickener, not twice as much — a distinction that saves a great deal of expensive polymer.
Concentration scaling
Required concentration = current concentration x (target viscosity / current viscosity)^(1/3)
It is a reasonable guide for associative and cellulosic thickeners in the middle of their range. Carbomers respond much more sharply to neutralisation and salt, and structured emulsions depend on the internal phase volume instead.
These systems are shear thinning, so viscosity depends on spindle, speed and temperature. Comparisons are only meaningful at identical measurement conditions.