Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market Overview

The Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period 2022-2027. The Fluorescent whitening agents, also called optical brighteners are chemical compounds that absorb light in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum through fluorescence and re-emit in the blue region. These stilbenes-based chemicals have major applications in textiles fibres for a whitening effect, cosmetics, laundry detergents and others, owing to the high molecular weight of polyethylene glycol. The robust growth in the laundry and cleaning sector drives the global fluorescent whitening agents industry, owing to its brightening applicability in detergents, soaps and others. In addition, the robust growth in the cosmetics & personal care sector propels the growth of the fluorescent whitening agents market. The covid-19 outbreak created a major growth prospect for the global fluorescent whitening agents market due to increasing awareness for cleanliness and hygiene, rising production and rising spending on detergent-based product. A significant recovery is boosting the demand for global fluorescent whitening agents for various applications in cosmetics & personal care, laundry & cleaning, textiles and the paper & pulp sector is anticipated to boost the global fluorescent whitening agents market size during the forecast period.

Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market Report Coverage

The “Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market Report – Forecast (2022-2027)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market.

By Chemical Type: Cinnamic Acid, Stilbenes, Dicarboxylic Acid, Coumarin, Diphenylpyraonline and Others
By Application: Soap & Detergents, Paper Brighteners, Conditioners, Fabrics, Paints, Shampoo, Adhesives and Others
By End-Use Industry: Cosmetics & Personal Care (Face Care, Body Care and Hair Care), Textiles, Plastics (Polyesters, Polyamides, Polycarbonates, Polyurethanes and Others), Paper & Pulp, Cleaning (Home and Industrial) and Others
By Geography: North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle-East [Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel and Rest of the Middle-East] and Africa [South Africa, Nigeria and Rest of Africa])

Key Takeaways

• Asia-Pacific dominates the Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market, owing to the rapid growth of the textile industry and rising emphasis on cleaning and personal care in APAC, thereby propelling the growth of Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents in this region.
• The growing textiles industry across the world is propelling the demand for global fluorescent whitening agents for various applications involving fabric softeners, textile fibres, brighteners and others due to the high molecular weight of polyethylene glycol, thereby contributing to the growing global fluorescent whitening agents market size.
• The flourishing demand for fluorescent whitening agents for laundry detergents to maintain the brightening and whitening effect for fabric care applicability is boosting its growth in the global fluorescent whitening agents industry.
• However, the non-biodegradability of fluorescent whitening agents of brightening agents and toxic impacts act as a major challenge for the global fluorescent whitening agents industry.

Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market Segment Analysis – by Chemical Type

The stilbenes segment held the largest Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market share in 2021 and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2022-2027. The stilbenes chemical type has major demand compared to other types such as cinnamic acid, distyryl biphenyl, coumarin and others due to its superior features such as high fluorescence, whiteness, thermal resistance and long-lasting fluorescent effect. The stilbenes are majorly used in the optical brightness or the fluorescent whitening agent provides a range of applicability in textile and paper industries. The rapidly growing utility of stilbenes in whitening agents for cosmetics, cleaning and plastics are also booming, which is expected to boost its demand and applicability across various industries. With the robust growth scope in major end-use industries, the stilbenes chemical segment is expected to grow significantly in the global fluorescent whitening agents market during the forecast period.

Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market Segment Analysis – by End-Use Industry

The textiles segment held a significant Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market share in 2021 and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period 2022-2027. The fluorescent whitening agents have significant applications in the textile industry for fabric brighteners, textile fibres whitening and others, owing to their superior brightening and whitening properties. The textiles and apparel sector is significantly growing owing to growth factors such as growing production, high demand for fashion and premium apparel and rapid cotton fabric manufacturing trends. For instance, according to National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, the textile and garment sector in India is expected to reach US$19 billion by 2025-26. Furthermore, according to the National Council of Textile Organization (NCTO), the U.S. textile and apparel shipment rose to US$65.2 billion in 2021. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, US textile production increased from US$9.5 billion in 2019 to US$16.59 billion in 2021. With the rising production of textile fibres and apparel, the demand for fluorescent whitening agents for enhancing the brightness of the fabric is rising, which, in turn, is boosting the growth scope and contributing to the growing fluorescent whitening agents market size during the forecast period.

Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market Segment Analysis – by Geography

Asia-Pacific held the largest Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market share in 2021 up to 41% and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period 2022-2027. The Asia-Pacific dominates the global fluorescent whitening agents market, owing to its established base of textiles, cleaning and cosmetics & personal sector and evolving lifestyle trends, thereby propelling the growth in the global fluorescent whitening agents industry. The textile sector is exponentially flourishing in APAC due to growth factors such as a rise in textile fibers production, shifting demand for premium apparel and lifestyle evolution. For instance, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Indian textiles market is expected to reach more than US$209 billion by 2029. According to Australian Fashion Council report, the textile sector added a value of US$27.2 billion in the economy of Australia in 2021. According to Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the collective operating revenue of textile firms in China increased by 13.5% in 2022 over the previous year. Moreover, the value added by textile sector recorded a 6.7% year-on-year growth in 2022. Thus, with robust growth for the textile sector in APAC, the applicability of fluorescent whitening agents for textile fibres, fabric softeners and others is rising, which, in turn, is anticipated to boost major growth for the fluorescent whitening agents market in the Asia-Pacific region during the forecast period.

Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market Drivers

Bolstering Growth of Cosmetic & Personal Care Sector:

The Fluorescent Whitening Agents have flourishing applications in the cosmetics and personal care sector for hair care items such as conditioners, shampoo and others and cosmetics products such as eye-shadow, highlighter and others. The robust growth in the cosmetics and personal industry is influenced by the rise in luxury and premium beauty production, demand for color cosmetics and lifestyle trends. For instance, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA), the beauty and personal care sector in Thailand increased from US$6.2 billion in 2018 to US$8.0 billion in 2022 from, marking a projected growth rate of 7.8% from 2019 to 2022. Furthermore, according to L’OREAL Annual Report 2021, the beauty sector of the L’OREAL rose by 8.2% in the year 2021, after a sharp decline of 8% in 2020. With the increasing production and consumption of cosmetics & personal care, the demand for fluorescent whitening agents in hair care, cosmetics items and others, which, in turn, is boosting its applicability and driving the global fluorescent whitening agents industry.

Rising Growth in the Cleaning Sector:

The fluorescent whitening agents have major demand in the cleaning industry owing to superior brightening and whitening features in laundry detergents, bleaches, soaps and others for laundry and cleaning, due to the presence of high molecular weight polyethylene glycol. The cleaning sector is exponentially growing owing to growth factors such as high traction for cleanliness and hygiene, rapid production of laundry detergents and changing lifestyles. For instance, according to the Qatar Development Bank (QDB), the market demand for detergents in Qatar is expected to grow from approximately 75,600 tons in 2018 to 86,100 tons in 2026. Furthermore, the demand for toilet soaps is projected to grow at a CAGR of 1.65% from 36,500 tons in 2018 to 41,600 tons in 2026. According to the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products, about US$30.07 billion was spent on household care products, including laundry and dishwashing in Europe for 2019. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the producer price index (PPI) for soaps & detergent sector increased from 263 in February 2021 to 280.63 in January 2022. With the increase in production of laundry cleaning products, the applicability of fluorescent whitening agents as fabric softeners and detergent brighteners is growing, which, in turn, is boosting the growth scope and driving the global fluorescent whitening agents industry.

Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market Challenges

Non-Biodegradability and Toxicity of Fluorescent Whitening Agents:

The toxicity and non-biodegradability associated with the fluorescent whitening agents create a major challenge in the market. The health hazards such as respiratory allergic reactions, skin irritation and eye problems act as a restraining factor for the global fluorescent whitening agents market. Moreover, these optical brighteners are non-biodegradable and lead to major pollution and threat to aquatic life. The restrictions and regulations for toxicity and non-biodegradability impact the demand and applicability for fluorescent whitening agents or brightening agents, thereby the global fluorescent whitening agents industry is anticipated to face major challenges.

Fluorescent Whitening Agents Industry Outlook

Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market. The top 10 companies in Global Fluorescent Whitening Agents Market are:

1. BASF SE
2. 3V Incorporation
3. Deepak Nitrite Limited
4. Clariant
5. Mayzo, Inc.
6. Huntsman International LLC
7. Evonik Industries AG
8. Fong Min International Company Limited
9. Aron Universal
10. Brilliant Colore Inc

Recent Developments

• In April 2022, Dorf Ketal, a leading optical brightening agent’s producer, agreed to acquire Khayati Chemicals intending to boost the performance chemicals business and expand its product portfolio.
• In December 2019, Archroma, a leader in color and specialty chemicals announced the acquisition of the stilbenes-based optical brightening agents business of BASF for applications in the detergent and paper sector.
• In July 2019, BASF increased the capacity for Tinopal CBS, an optical brightening or fluorescent whitening agent to fulfill the rising consumer demand for sustainable white laundry applications.

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