News Release: Where Are Optical Brighteners Used? A Look at Their Expanding Application Landscape
From their earliest use in the textile industry, optical brighteners have come a long way. Today, their applications span a remarkably broad range of sectors, reflecting their indispensable role in modern manufacturing and everyday life.
At Jinan Tonex Chemical, we have witnessed firsthand how these versatile functional additives have evolved beyond traditional boundaries. Currently, optical brighteners are widely utilized in:
🔵 Papermaking
Fluorescent whitening agents are functional additives for paper production.
They boost paper visual whiteness by over 10% based on chemical bleaching, without pulp consumption.
🟢 Textiles
Natural & synthetic fabrics remain slightly yellow after desizing and scouring.
Fluorescent whitening agents absorb UV light and emit blue fluorescence to counteract yellow tones, whitening fabrics and brightening light-colored textiles.
🟢 Plastics
Plastic fluorescent whitening agents absorb UV light and emit blue-violet visible light to improve substrate whiteness.
The agent's physicochemical properties affect its dispersion in plastics, which determines the final whitening effect.