Brighteners (also called optical brighteners or OBAs – Optical Brightning Agents) are chemical compounds used in the printing industry to improve the brightness and whiteness of paper. They absorb UV light and emit it as visible blue light, giving the paper a ‘brighter’ and ‘fresher’ white tone. This effect increases the brilliance of printed products, making the paper look whiter and more valuable.
Optical brighteners are used in paper production, but brighteners are also used in printing inks to increase contrast and colour intensity, particularly in photo and colour printing. Their use is particularly important in the production of high-quality printing papers and packaging, where a brilliant appearance is essential.
The most commonly used brighteners in the paper industry are stilbene brighteners, which are particularly effective at brightening paper. They are based on the stilbene basic structure. Other types are benzoxazole and triazole brighteners, which are used for special applications. Benzoxazole brighteners are often used in special applications, such as in the manufacture of transparent paper or in the textile industry. They are also effective, but their use is less common compared to stilbene compounds. Triazole brighteners are mainly used in the production of speciality papers. Each brightener has specific properties that make it suitable for different papers and applications.
One disadvantage of brighteners is that their effect can diminish over time. In addition, high concentrations can disrupt the printing process and lead to undesirable reflections or colour changes. Nevertheless, brighteners are also used for environmental reasons: they save on chemical bleach for bright white papers, which is even more harmful to the environment than the brighteners. And companies are constantly working on more sustainable, biodegradable brighteners.
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