Global Optical Brightening Agents Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Optical Brightening Agents Market Size

The global optical brightening agents market will likely experience a CAGR of about 5.4% during the period 2024-2032. A rise in demand for paper with greater aesthetic charm is anticipated to further drive the market in the years to come.

Optical Brightening Agents Market Outlook

• In 2024, BASF received ISCC+ certification at all major production sites worldwide for Acrylics, Alcohols, Glycol Ethers, and Acetates—thereby making an extremely important contribution to supporting customers in achieving their targets and ambitions.

• In 2021, Clariant AG announced that it had signed definitive agreements for the acquisition of BASF's U.S. Attapulgite business assets for USD 60 million.

• In Q2 2024, Huntsman Corporation reported revenues of $1.6 billion, consistent with the same period last year, reflecting stable financial performance.

• Growing demand for eco-friendly formulations due to increased awareness among consumers and regulatory pressures for sustainable and biodegradable chemical solutions to aid growth.

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Optical Brightening Agents Market Growth

Optical brightening agents, also known as fluorescent brightening agents, are chemicals employed in manufacturing plastics, fibres, coatings, inks and detergents. They absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and give out light in the blue region. Further, greater acceptance of chemical optical brightening agents (based on coumarin, stilbene, cinnamic acid, diphenyl pyrazoline, dicarboxylic acid, etc.) in developing nations has been observed. Brightening agents are added to detergents to give clothes a cleaner appearance; ordinarily, cleaned clothes appear yellowish, which is not liked by consumers.

Rapid growth in textiles and cosmetics across the globe has driven the optical brightening agents demand growth. Introducing new optical brightening agents with better compatibility with recycled fibres is also expected to aid the recycled fibre industry.

Brightening agents are used in high-brightness paper to give it a strong, fluorescent appearance under ultraviolet light. Formerly, bluing was used for the same purpose but came to be replaced by modern optical brightening agents. Brighteners add to the detergent value and can also be used as fabric softeners. They are also used as bleaches. The detergent and cleaning sectors have been the key drivers of the optical brightening agents market.

The growth of the optical brightening agents industry is expanding due to rising demand in textiles, detergents, and paper industries. These agents enhance product appearance by making materials appear whiter and brighter. Technological advancements and increasing consumer awareness of product aesthetics drive market growth. Key regions witnessing significant market share include North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Factors that are responsible for opening up new optical brightening agents market opportunities include its increased use in textiles, biodegradable agents and engineering advances.

July 2019

BASF focuses on the speciality optical brightener Tinopal® CBS, manufactured in the recently modernised plant of the company in Monthey, Switzerland.

July 2019

BASF India Limited has agreed with Archroma India Private Limited for the divestiture of the stilbene-based Optical Brightening Agents technology, including products used in the detergent industry, which will positively impact the optical brightening agents industry revenue.

January 2019

Archroma announced the introduction of a new optical brightening agent, specially designed for food packaging and paper: Leucophor® AFCN liq. The newly launched OBA has been approved for food contact by the US Food and Drug Administration.

January 2018

Archroma, a global leader in colour and speciality chemicals, announced that Tong Siang Co. Ltd. has chosen to use Archroma's Ultraphor KCB optical brightening agent for colouring its white high-performance sportswear.

Increased Use in Textiles

One of the growing uses of optical brightening agents is in the textile industry, where the trend is toward brighter and whiter fabrics. This trend has been fostered by consumers who desire more appealing and vibrant clothing, and industries that strive to improve their product performance.

Biodegradable Agents

Demand for eco-friendly, biodegradable agents is a rising trend of optical brightening agents market. With consumers and manufacturers increasingly focusing on sustainable products that will help reduce environmental impacts, innovation in greener formulation and cleaner process conditions is stimulated.

Demand in Emerging Markets

The demand for optical brightening agents is growing across emerging markets, especially in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The need from this part of the world prevails due to rising disposable incomes and higher consumption of consumer goods, calling for effective brightening solutions.

Advances in Engineering

The growth of the optical brightening agents market is aided by advances in chemical engineering that make way for the development of more efficient and multifunctional optical brightening agents. The innovations developed by various fields in terms of formulations with improved stability, effectiveness under different conditions, and compatibility with several products have been answering the diverse consumer and industrial needs.

Optical Brightening Agents Market Trends

As per optical brightening agents industry analysis, applications of optical brightening agents have extended to the security sector also. Bank notes and labels now have fluorescence to distinguish them from counterfeit notes. Only a small number of di- and tetra-sulfonated triazole-stilbenes, and one di-sulfonated stilbene-biphenyl derivative dominate the global optical brightening agent production for detergents, paper and textiles.

One of the growing trends in the optical brightening agents market is an increased demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable brighteners. With the "green" wave sweeping through consumers and manufacturers, this has driven the development and adoption of optical brighteners that have lower impacts on the environment. This forms part of a broader trend toward greener products, underpinned by regulatory pressure and consumer preference for environmental responsibility—ultimately augmenting the growth of optical brightening agents market.

Decreased demand due to allergic reactions when brightening agents come in direct contact with skin.

• High production costs.

• Environmental concerns and regulatory standards.

• Search for alternatives such as non-stilbene brighteners.

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Global Optical Brightening Agents Industry Segmentation

“Optical Brightening Agents Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

By Type, the market can be segmented into:

• DASCC

• DABP

By application, the market can be divided into:

• Paper

• Detergents

• Textiles

• Others

By region, the market can be segregated into:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East and Africa

Optical Brightening Agents Market Share

DASCC To Gain Traction For Its Superior Brightening Characteristics In Textiles

In the optical brightening agents market, the prospects of DASCC are expected to remain better than that of DABP. Better brightness and stability make DASCC effective in several applications, ranging from textiles to paper. Added properties in terms of performance and functional capabilities for a range of uses make it increasingly adopted requiring top-grade and long-lasting whitening.

One of the areas that increase the traction of DASCC when compared to DABP is high-performance textiles, where it can strongly improve its whiteness and brightness and hold that stability through many washes. For example, DACC can often be present in premium brands of sportswear or home textiles, like luxury bed linens or active sportswear where excellent brightening effects and durability are required. Such extensive implementation gives a competitive edge to DASCC over DABP in the market, thus supporting the optical brightening agents demand forecast.

Detergents Will Be The Dominant Application For Its Significant Usage In Cleaning Fabrics

The detergent industry is anticipated to be the largest consumer of optical brightening agents. The detergent industry is forecast to remain a significant consumer of optical brightening agents, as these chemicals, in effect, work on improving the fabrics themselves and give them a brighter and whiter look. In turn, optical brighteners absorb light at ultraviolet wavelengths and re-emit it at visible blue wavelengths, masking yellowing and dullness on clothes. This will improve the apparent cleanliness and brightness of laundry, which is a sell-out point of detergents and bolster the global optical brightening agents demand.

With consumers coming to demand more aesthetically pleasing and spotless clothing, the use of these brighteners in laundry products will grow vastly. This, in turn, will aid the changing optical brightening agents market dynamic and trends. Major detergent manufacturers will benefit from the introduction of new optical brightening agents, as these brightening agents can improve the brightness and whiteness of fabrics and hence make their products more attractive to consumers. This could differentiate brands, enable premium pricing, and build a competitive advantage.

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Global Optical Brightening Agents Market Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific To Witness Moderate Demand Owing To Industrialisation And Robust Manufacturing Capabilities

Asia Pacific is expected to experience robust growth at a CAGR of nearly 5%. Nations such as China and India should drive the market owing to rapid industrialization, growing manufacturing activities, and a rising population with a demand for higher standards of living. Rising demand of optical brightening agents from consumers in India and China for brighter, whiter products is steering increased growth in the textile and paper industries as well. Another factor attributed to the higher demand for optical brightening agents is the increase in production capacities, industrial expansion, and improvement in living standards.

While the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America are anticipated to witness significant growth, markets in Europe and North America should see slow growth. Saturation of the paper industry in Europe and North America has caused paper mill shutdowns over the years, but the soaps and detergent sector should contribute to the overall drive the optical brightening agents market revenue.

Competitive Landscape

Key players are focussing on innovations in eco-friendly agents and advanced manufacturing techniques to further boost market dynamics. This also promises significant opportunities through 2032.

Huntsman Corporation, located in The Woodlands, Texas, USA, and founded in 1970, produces its optical brightening agents under the brand Huntsman OBAs. These are UV-absorbing, blue-emitting products that enhance the brightness and whiteness value of detergents, textile, and paper to bring their aesthetic appeal to the fore.

BASF SE, headquartered in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany, is an 1865 incorporation whose major offerings are optical brightening agents, like Tinopal and Lumalite, for numerous applications such as laundry detergents, paper, and textiles, to make them look whiter and brighter. BASF has focused on high-performance, eco-friendly formulae with reflecting blue light, to give products a cleaner and more radiant appearance.

Clariant International Ltd., headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland, was established in 1995. Under the brand name Hostalux, it manufactures a full range of optical brightening agents, which are used to enhance brightness and whiteness in detergents, textiles, and paper. These agents of Clariant absorb UV light and then re-emit it as visible blue light, which enhances the appearance of cleaned fabrics and surfaces.

Other market players include Evonik Industries AG and Tsaker Chemical Group Ltd., among others.