Optical Brighteners Market

Market Snapshot

Global consumption of the Optical Brighteners Market stood at around US$ 1,646.3 Million in 2023 and is stated to increase at a CAGR of 4.9% to reach a valuation of US$ 2,656.2 Million by 2033. Asia Pacific and North America are expected to remain key regions in the business owing to increasing consumption in countries like United States, India, and China.

Optical brighteners, known as fluorescent whitening agents or optical bleaches, are chemical compounds that were added to products to make them appear brighter and more attractive. These compounds through the process of fluorescence, absorb light in the violet or ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and reemit it in the blue region.

Some of the properties include whiteness, brightness, light fastness, washing speed, heat resistance, chemical stability, metamerism, low volatility, and high solubility in organic solvents.

These compounds are commonly used in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and other cleaning products to make clothes and linens appear brighter and whiter as well as in paper manufacturing to make the paper appear brighter and in plastics to enhance the material's basic color, produce white end products, and enhance the brightness of articles that include colorful and black pigments.

Optical brighteners are widely employed in synthetic leather, printing inks, photo processing solutions, UV tracers, clear and colored lacquers, fibers, films, and sheets. While optical brighteners can improve the appearance of products, there are some concerns about their safety and environmental impact. Some studies have suggested that they may be toxic to aquatic life and may cause skin irritation in some individuals and they may not be effective in all types of light and may cause discoloration over time.

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Sales Analysis of Optical Brighteners from 2018 to 2022 Vs Market Outlook for 2023 to 2033

The sales of optical brighteners for detergents and textile applications have gained momentum in the recent past due to their use in hospital laundry sections and the high usage

of white fabrics by hospitals and the medical sector. Spending on the development of new products and chlorine-resistant brighteners has increased after the pandemic. This in turn is anticipated to develop some new growth opportunities for the global market. The market grew with a CAGR of 4.3% during the historic period of 2018 to 2022.

The market is expected to grow significantly as a result of increasing demand from end-use industries such as textile, plastic, cosmetics, and detergents. Similarly, the rapidly increasing demand for moisturizers, creams, lotions, shampoos, and other cosmetic formulations is expanding the scope for fluorescent whitening agents in the cosmetic industry as a crucial determinant favouring the market growth from 2023 to 2033. The market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period.

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How is the development of Ecofriendly product variants gaining prominence?

The commonly used compound is the stilbene-based products, which are non-biodegradable and purely chemical based. These products can cause skin or respiratory allergies for some users, hence there has been a spur in focus towards developing safer and environment-friendly products

In line with the trend of growing prominence of bio-based or eco-friendly products compared to synthetic ones based on chemical ingredients, the key companies serving the market are focusing on the development of eco-friendly alternatives to existing formulations.

New advancements are being sought in product development, which would drive down costs as well as provide many benefits to end users. This reduction in price may result in a resurgence of the usage of optical brighteners in paper manufacturing and provide the laundry and detergent industry with a great new avenue for revenue generation.

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What factor is projected to pose a challenge to the optical brightener market growth rate?

Ever since studies reported that optical brighteners contain the structural element of synthetic estrogen Diethylstilbestrol (DES), which can cause several defects that may lead to the development of malformations and carcinomas in the genital tract of pregnant women, there has been a growing element of concern regarding the usage of stilbene based compounds.

To summarize stilbenes used in optical brighteners share structurally similar to chemicals used to produce hormones for pregnant women. This leads to hormonal imbalances causing the above-mentioned outcomes. As stilbene-based products dominate the market, this factor is expected to pose a restraint in the market.

Along with this, over the past decade, there has been a mass closure of paper mills across Europe and the United States which has resulted in shrinking paper industry. This directly impacts the Optical Brighteners market as the paper industry is a considerable segment for business which is now gradually fading. The main reason for the same has been witnessed due to the rise in digital alternatives for paper books such as tablets, laptops, and more.

As citizens are being encouraged to promote sustainability, this move has been welcomed by most European and North American countries.

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Country-wise Analysis

Why Does the United States Account for a significant share of the Optical Brighteners market?

Demand for optical brighteners is expected to remain prominent in the United States and is expected to hold around 61.7% of the regional market. North America, the United States, and Canada, produce nearly one-third of the world’s supply of soaps, detergents, and cleaners, primarily for household consumption and experience significant demand for optical brighteners due to the demand for high-quality products such as plastics, detergents, fabrics, and cosmetics.

Although consumer demand for cleaning products is stable and is anticipated to continue so, new demographic changes that are influencing families and living arrangements are likely to encourage demand for more convenience-focused products. In the United States, the average yearly cost of soaps and detergents in 2021 came to about 80.5 dollars per consumer unit. From 2007 and 2016, American consumers spent over 80 dollars annually; however, costs have gone up since 2017.

The growing need for plastic, soaps, and detergents in various end-use industries and the rising demand from industrial and household sectors are expected to propel the growth of the market in the United States.

What Makes China a Hub for Optical Brighteners Demand?

China is expected to dominate the Asia Pacific as well as the global market for optical brighteners. In 2022, China accounted for over 15.5% share of the global market. The domination of China is primarily due to the growing plastic and textile industries

According to China National Textile and Apparel Council. China is the world’s largest and biggest textile cloth manufacturer and exporter and contributes 7% of china's GDP. There are six main sub-industry sectors in China.

The production and demand of plastic and textile cloth targeted toward consumers are being driven by shifting societal views, which is a key trend in China.

Category-wise Insights

Which Application of Optical Brighteners Generates Most of its Revenue?

On the basis of application, the paper segment accounted for a 13.6% market share in 2022. Optical brightening agents are additives that enhance the paper's inherent whitening qualities in the paper industry. These chemical substances absorb ultraviolet and violet light, which typically has a wavelength between 340 and 370 nm, and releases it in the blue range (typically 420 to 470 nm).

Paper manufacturers commonly surface coat the dry end of the size press or calendar stack with fluorescent brighteners. The chemical is sprayed on the fibers outside the surface rather than its complete core to reflect UV radiation in the dry end, making dry-end treatment more affordable than the wet end.

Thus, the suitability and use of fluorescent brighteners in the uncoated or coated paper industry are anticipated to drive the market.

How Cosmetic Industry boost the sales of Optical Brighteners?

Cosmetics are set to witness robust growth during the forecast period and have an 12.4% value share in 2022. In cosmetics, these compounds are used to enhance the appearance of skin and hair by making them appear brighter and more radiant.

These brighteners are present in skin care products, such as moisturizers, serums, and anti-aging creams, and help to reduce the appearance of dark spots, blemishes, and other discolorations on the skin, making it look brighter and more even-toned.

Globally there has been an increasing inclination towards the usage of various cosmetics products by both men and women of all age groups. Recently, manufacturers have begun using fluorescent brighteners in the form of microspheres for the production of the advanced face and eye powders that brighten dark areas of the skin (ex. dark circles).

Thus, the increasing demand for these compounds in personal care and skin care products is expected to boost the sales of optical brighteners.

Competitive Landscape

The global market is consolidated, with the top 5 players in the market estimated to collectively hold about 30% - 35% of the global optical brighteners market share. Various companies are signing contracts and agreements with end users and distributors for long-term supply of products. Leading players are focusing on customer relationship management through agreements and contracts for long-term supply. For Instance,

• In April 2022, research-based specialty chemicals manufacturer Dorf Ketal entered into an agreement to acquire the business of Ahmedabad-based Khyati Chemicals. Khyati Chemicals is the second-largest player in the optical brightening business and has valuable customers such as Unilever, Ghadi, and Trident India, among others.
• In October 2020, Mayzo Inc, a leading supplier and manufacturer of specialty chemicals, announced the acquisition of Bio Accutech Inc., a distributor of specialty chemicals for the coatings, inks, and plastics markets. This acquisition is estimated to enable Mayzo to extend its global supply chain and add several new optical brighteners, photoinitiators, and PVC additives to its portfolio.
• In July 2019, BASF India Limited entered into an agreement to divest its stilbene-based Optical Brightening Agents (OBA) business for paper and powder detergent applications to Archroma India Private Limited, a member of the Archroma group, a global leader in colour and specialty chemicals
• In January 2019, Archroma, a global leader in color and specialty chemicals announced the introduction of a new optical brightening agent, Leucophor AFCN liquid that is specially designed for food packaging and paper.

Optical Brighteners Industry Report Scope

Key Segments Covered in Optical Brighteners Market Research

By Type

• Stilbene
• Coumarin
• Diphenyl pyrazoline
• Others

By Application

• Detergents
• Textiles
• Papers
• Cosmetics
• Plastics
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)