The global optical brighteners market size to be valued at USD 1.11 billion by 2024 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% during the forecast period. Rising demand for paper products with a superior aesthetic appeal is expected to be the key factor driving the industry over the coming years. Currently, optical brighteners are the most extensively used chemicals in the detergents and soaps sector. Consumption of optical brighteners in laundry detergents helps the clothes to look brighter and cleaner. The aforementioned factors are projected to drive the demand for optical fibers over the forecast period.
Growth in the laundry and cleaning sector is another key factor responsible for increased demand for optical brighteners, as they have superior cleaning properties and can be used as fabric softeners. It is also used in the cosmetics industry and as bleaching additives in the pulp and paper industry. Rising consumption of the product in coated, as well as uncoated, paper products will also play a significant role in driving its demand.
Europe has the maximum number of optical brightener manufacturers. However, there has been a significant demand shift from the Europe and America region to the Asia Pacific and Latin America markets. Furthermore, closure of paper mills in Europe and the U.S. coupled with consolidation in the industry has negatively affected the market. Rising demand for fluorescent whitening agents from various applications such as teeth whitener, fabric softeners, textiles, detergents, and paper whitening in the Asia Pacific region has provided a major boost to the overall demand.
Growth in industries such as chemical, paper, and textile is responsible for the high product demand and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. Upcoming development projects in various countries including Germany, France, China, and India in the chemical industry are also boosting the market expansion. Declining oil prices have resulted in fluctuations in raw material prices and volatility in the market. Resellers and users of optical brighteners have witnessed lowering of margins owing to this trend.
Government policies allowing manufacturers to procure production and exploration licenses have helped in increasing foreign investments in the domestic chemical industry in countries such as India and China. Privatization of state-owned companies such as Bayer (Germany) is expected to further encourage private investments. Increasing production capacity by companies owing to rising demand will be an important feature of the market. However, limited application scope will pose a challenge for manufacturers and may have an impact on the buying patterns.
Optical brighteners are widely used in the laundry and detergents industries in the textile industry at various stages. This helps the apparel color to stay brighter for a long time which increases the aesthetics of the apparel. Brighter colors make for a great visual treat hence the use of an optical whitening agent has resulted in an increase of the garment sales. The rising textile industry supplements the growth of optical brightener market.
The cosmetics and personal care products employ optical brighteners for brightening and color-correcting purposes. Those are added to hair care products for washing and conditioning blonde grey hair, repairing dull, yellow discoloration without darkening, along with to boost the hair's brightness and shine. The application of optical brighteners in the cosmetics and personal health care industry is expected to drive the market growth positively.
The optical brightener is extensively used in the paper industry. However, rise in digitalization in various countries with policies to implement paperless transactions is expected to limit the market growth. In addition, the strict government policies on the application of non-biodegradable and potentially toxic material for humans are restraining the market growth.
The major market players are developing the non-bio-degradable as well as chemical and stilbene-based optical brighteners. As these treatments can cause skin and respiratory allergies in certain people, more emphasis has been placed on discovering safer and more environment- friendly alternatives. The market has a lot of opportunities for research and development in bio-degradable and chemical-free devices which is expected to attract an environment-friendly, and support a health-conscious consumer base.
The paper application segment led the optical brighteners market in 2015 and is projected to have a significant expansion over the coming years due to rising demand from India, China, Indonesia, and Thailand. However, the paper industry in North America and Europe has become saturated and has led to shutdowns of paper mills over the past few years.
Fabrics application segment is also anticipated to witness promising growth over the forecast period owing to consumer demand for bright and durable fabrics. Companies are using various formulations of optical brighteners in order to develop high-quality end-products. Consumers are focusing on convenience along with improving the functionality of their dishwashing and laundry agents, which will positively affect the product demand.
Consumer products led the end-use segment in 2015 and is expected to maintain its dominance through the analysis period. Governments of emerging economies such as China and India are supporting their local manufacturers and institutions for R&D of optical brighteners-based products to increase their production volumes.
Security and safety segment also witnessed a significant demand in the past owing to a wide range of applications including fluorescence on the bank notes and labels on the products. Several superior characteristics of optical brighteners, such as blue light emissions and high transparency, have resulted in high product demand in this segment.
Europe was the largest regional market in 2015 accounting for 33.2% of the global volume share. It projected to expand further due to escalating product demand from the soaps and detergents sector in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast years.
Indonesia is one of the key raw material supplier to various manufacturers in Europe and hence, it exports a considerable amount of raw material such as diaminostilbenedisulfonic acid (DAST) to European manufacturers. Indonesia optical brighteners market is expected to experience significant growth on account of growing consumer demand for whitening agents from various consumer products including soaps, dishwashing agents, detergents. Increasing investments from various multinational companies are expected to be a crucial factor for the rising production capacities.
Rapid industrialization coupled with expanding paper and textile industries in emerging economies such as India and China is expected to be the key factor for region’s growth. Rise in foreign direct investments in India is also expected to contribute toward market growth in the next few years.
Key companies in the market include BASF SE, Huntsman Corporation, Archroma, Keystone Aniline Corporation, and Clariant AG. BASF SE has been one of the major producers in the industry. It is engaged in developing a wide range of optical brighteners such as Tinopal, Tinocat, and Tinolux. The company has also developed a variety of innovative technologies for increasing the production capacity.
In June 2022, BASF SE, a German multinational chemical company invested in Tinopal CBS optical brighteners to increase the production capacity. The company is planning to fulfill the growing global demand for optical brighteners.
In April 2022, Dorf Ketal, an Indian specialty chemicals company, acquired India's second-largest optical brightener manufacturer, Khyati Chemicals, the industry's margin leader. Dorf Ketal will benefit from the purchase since it enables to diversify the revenue stream and enter the performance chemicals market, where Khyati Chemicals holds a significant presence.
In July 2021, PolyOne Corporation acquired Clariant and Clariant Chemicals India Ltd's colour masterbatch businesses that produce colorants and optical brighteners for polymers. It is named as Avient Corporation since the acquisition.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Revenue forecast in 2024 |
USD 1.11 billion |
Growth rate |
CAGR of 6.5% from 2016 to 2024 |
Base year for estimation |
2015 |
Historical data |
2013 - 2015 |
Forecast period |
2016 - 2024 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2016 to 2024 |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors and trends |
Segments covered |
Application, end use, and region |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa |
Country scope |
U.S.; Germany; France; Italy; U.K.; China; India; Japan; South Korea |
Key companies profiled |
3V Sigma SpA; Aron Universal Ltd.; Clariant AG; Huntsman Corp.; Archroma; Deepak Nitrite Ltd.; and Keystone Aniline Corp.; BASF SE. |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2013 to 2024. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global optical brighteners market report based on application, end use, and region:
Application Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024)
Paper
Detergents & Soaps
Fabrics
Synthetics & Plastic
Others
End-use Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024)
Consumer Products
Security & Safety
Textiles & Apparel
Packaging
Others
Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilo Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2013 - 2024)
North America
U.S.
Europe
Germany
France
Italy
U.K.
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Latin America
Middle East & Africa (MEA)
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