| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Purity | < 98% |
| Grade Standard | OB-1 and OB Grade |
| Usage / Application | Industrial & Commercial |
| Physical State | Powder |
| Colour | Odourless, Pale-Yellow to Off-White |
| Packaging Size | 25 kg |
Optical brightener powder, also known as Fluorescent Whitening Agent (FWA). It is a speciality chemical used in various products and materials to appear brighter and whiter without actually changing their inherent colour. In simple words, it gives a whitening effect to the material.
Optical brightening agent is a fine, pale-yellow to off-white powder that is virtually colourless. It works by absorbing light in the ultraviolet and violet rays of the spectrum (especially around 340-370 nm) and then re-emitting standard blue light (around 420-470 nm), counteracting the natural yellowish tint and enhancing its brightness.
ALA Polystabs, you can get an ideal and high-quality optical brightening agent to achieve enhanced brightness that you cannot achieve with traditional bleach or white pigment alone.
ALA Polystabs Private Limited is a leading optical brightening agent manufacturer in India. We are one of the manufacturers of speciality chemical companies in India that provide several chemicals across the world. Our high-purity optical brighteners are produced according to international quality standards and are perfect for use in textiles, plastic, detergents, paper, etc.
Being the best optical brightening agent manufacturers, we offer consistent composition, long shelf life, and reliable performance under all processing conditions. We have a team of professionals, including technical experts, quality control team, and chemical experts, to tailor solutions and technical partnerships to help clients across a wide range of industries.
Being optical brightening agent suppliers, we deliver domestic as well as global markets with our high-quality products.
Optical brightening agent is one of the important industrial additives. It is indispensable in modern manufacturing where superior whiteness and brightness influence the product quality and customer preferences.
Being one of the best optical brightener manufacturers, we can improve brightness and counteract yellowing makes them valuable in large-scale manufacturing. In our state-of- the-art manufacturing unit, we provide a wide range of optical brightening agents in various grades. Our optical brightening agent is perfect for industry applications like-
Here are all the technical specifications of Optical Brightening Agent-
| Parameter | Specification / Value (Example for a General-Purpose OB) |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Varies by type (e.g., Triazine-Stilbene, Coumarin, or Pyrazoline derivative) |
| CAS Number | Varies (e.g., 16090-02-1 for a common type) |
| Chemical Class | Organic Fluorescent Whitening Agent (FWA) |
| Appearance | Very fine, free-flowing pale yellow to off-white powder |
| Odor | Faint, characteristic odor |
| Active Content (min) | ≥ 99% |
| Ash Content (max) | ≤ 0.5% |
| Moisture Content (max) | ≤ 1.0% |
| pH (1% Solution) | Neutral to slightly alkaline (7.0 – 9.0, varies) |
| Melting Point | Varies significantly by chemical structure; typically > 200°C (decomposes). |
| Particle Size | 95% min passing through 200 mesh. Custom micronisation available. |
| Solubility | Typically soluble in polar organic solvents; low solubility in water. Solubility varies by grade. |
| Fluorescence Emission Peak | 430 – 450 nm (Blue-Violet region, for whitening effect) |
| Whiteness Under UV Light | Intense blue-white fluorescence |
| Compatibility | Compatible with polymers (PVC, PE, PP), paper coatings, textiles, and detergent formulations. |
| Light Fastness | Good to Excellent (varies by grade and application) |
| Chemical Stability | Stable under normal processing conditions; sensitive to prolonged UV exposure and strong oxidants. |
| Shelf Life | 24 months from the date of manufacture when stored in a cool, dark, dry place. |
| Primary Function | Absorbs UV light and re-emits blue visible light, masking yellowness and enhancing brightness and whiteness. |
| Packaging | Standard 25 kg & Custom (on demand) |
Optical brightening agent or optical brightener powder is one of the highly demanding chemicals in a wide range of industries. Let’s check out its physical and chemical properties.
It is organic compounds that absorb UV light and emit blue fluorescence to enhance whiteness. It mainly has two types, like OB-1 and OB, which exhibit solid, powdery forms with high thermal stability for textile and detergent applications.
| Property | Description/Details | Typical Values (e.g., OB-1) | Typical Values (e.g., OB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Fine, homogeneous powder or granules; white to off-white colour | Light yellow powder | Yellowish powder |
| Particle Size | Micronised for dispersion; affects solubility and application efficiency | 1–10 μm | 2–5 μm |
| Density | Bulk density influences packaging and handling | 0.4–0.6 g/cm³ | 1.18–1.21 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | High thermal stability for processing up to 200–250°C | 210–212°C | 195–205°C |
| Solubility | Poor in water; soluble in organic solvents like DMF, toluene, and acetone | <0.1 g/L in water; >50 g/L in DMF | Insoluble in water; soluble in oils |
| Volatility | Low vapour pressure; stable during drying and curing | Negligible at room temp | Low |
| Fluorescence | Blue-violet emission (420–480 nm) under UV (340–370 nm excitation) | Peak at 450 nm | Peak at 430 nm |
| Particle Morphology | Crystalline or amorphous; impacts brightness yield | Crystalline needles | Fine crystals |
Let’s explore its chemical properties-
| Property | Description / Details | Typical Values (e.g., OB-1) | Typical Values (e.g., OB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | Complex aromatic structures with sulfonate or ester groups for substantivity | C28H20N2O2 | C28H18O2N2 |
| Molecular Weight | Ranges 300–1000 Da; lower for better diffusion | 396.47 g/mol | 414.46 g/mol |
| pH Stability | Effective in neutral to alkaline conditions; degrades in strong acids | Stable pH 4–10 | Stable pH 5–11 |
| Hydrolysis Resistance | Ester linkages hydrolyse in alkali; stilbenes photodegrade over time | Good in neutral; poor in NaOH | Resistant to mild alkali |
| Oxidation Stability | Sensitive to bleach (ClO₂, H₂O₂); antioxidants extend life | Degrades with oxidants | Moderate vs. peroxides |
| Photostability | UV exposure causes stilbene degradation; half-life 100–500 hours of sunlight | Fair (200+ hrs) | Good (300+ hrs) |
| Reactivity | Forms covalent bonds with cellulose (reactive types); ionic for adsorption | Anionic adsorption | Non-ionic, disperses easily |
| Toxicity | Low acute; potential skin sensitiser; biodegradable under light | LD50 > 5000 mg/kg (rat) | Non-toxic, non-irritant |
| Functional Groups | Sulfonates (-SO3Na) for water solubility; vinyl/aryl for conjugation | Triazinyl-stilbene | Benzoxazole |
At ALA Polysabs, we believe that for operational success, reliable and secure packaging is very important. We partner with trusted logistics and provide flexible packaging options for international as well as domestic supplies.
Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs) or Fluorescent Whitening Agents (FWAs) are used in a vast range of manufacturing industries. It gives a better optical illusion related to whiteness and brightness that cannot be achieved through bleaching agents or pigments. Here are the key industry applications where it is used-
Paper Manufacturing : OBAs are incorporated into pulp and used as a coating on high-quality papers such as office papers, art papers, packaging boards, and tissue papers. This provides the bright white appearance required for high-quality printing.
Textiles & Apparel : OBAs are extensively used in fabric manufacturing and laundry applications for nylon, polyester, acetate fibres, and cotton blends. In laundry, they help remove or mask yellowing to restore fabric brightness.
Plastics & Polymers : OBAs are used in PVC pipes and profiles, polyolefin packaging materials, household appliances, toys, and automotive interiors to counter natural yellowness and deliver a bright white or clear appearance.
Cleaning Products : OBAs are a key ingredient in modern laundry detergents and surface cleaners. They migrate to the surface during washing, creating an immediate visual effect of superior cleanliness until the next wash.
Coatings, Paints & Inks : OBAs are used in premium architectural paints, industrial coatings, printing inks, and varnishes to enhance brightness and opacity, improve coverage, and deliver more vivid colours and brighter whites.
Cosmetics & Personal Care : OBAs are used in specific cosmetic formulations such as shampoos, soaps, skincare creams, and selected makeup products to enhance visual appeal by making them appear brighter and purer on display.
Advanced & Niche Applications : OBAs are utilised in specialised applications including security printing, speciality adhesives, photographic papers, and synthetic fibres for technical textiles.
Being one of the best optical brightening agent manufacturers, supplier and exporters in India, product integrity is our uncompromising commitment. We use international standards and make sure every product meets exact specifications for purity, consistency, and performance. Let’s check out our product are certified with a wide range of certificates-
Get your bulk order of optical brightening agent at a competitive price with us. Sourcing directly from manufacturers like us maximises value without compromising the quality. We eliminated intermediators to guarantee genuine cost efficiency, superior product performance, and significant savings on bulk orders.
To take advantage of a reasonable rate on a bulk order, talk to our sales team and get a detailed quotation for your requirements. We supply domestic as well as international.
Optical brightener powder is also known as a fluorescent whitening agent. It is a special type of organic chemical powder that absorbs invisible ultraviolet light and emits it as an intense blue visible light. It gives a blueing effect
Optical brightness is importantly used to achieve superior whiteness in a wide range of industries. It has been used for paper manufacturing, textile and laundry detergent, plastic and polymer, cosmetic, coating and many more.
The safety of optical brightener powder depends entirely on the specific chemical type, purity, and intended application. Always make sure that you are using applications for appropriate safety purposes.
Optical brighter works on the principle of fluorescence. Its molecules absorb UV light from the sunlight, which is not visible to the naked human eye. It absorbs UV rays and instantly releases the energy as blue violet visible light. This emitted blue light compensates for the yellow light reflected by the substrate, resulting in a neutral or cool white appearance with enhanced brightness.
The shelf life of optical brighter powder is 24 months from the date of manufacturing if it is stored in the right way. Make sure to keep it away from sunlight, humidity and high temperature. Always store in a cool, dry and dark space in a sealed pack.
No, Optical brightness powder cannot be used in all types of plastic. Optical brightener powder is polymer specified. You can only use it in PVC, PS, ABS, PET and certain polyolefins.
Blue pigment and optical brightener work on fundamentally different principles. A blue pigment absorbs all wavelengths of light except blue, which it reflects, but an optical brightener is not a pigment. It is a colourless dye that absorbs UV light and emits blue light.
Light fastness refers to OB's resistance to fading or degradation upon prolonged exposure to UV light. At Ala Polystabs, get a variety of light fastness in optical brightness powder.