Introduction
Polyethene (PE) is a widely used thermoplastic known for its high toughness, flexibility, and chemical resistance. Among its many applications, PE film—especially PE stretch film—plays a critical role in modern industrial packaging. Its strength, puncture resistance, and clarity make it essential for pallet wrapping, goods protection, and secure transport across numerous industries.
However, despite PE’s inherent transparency, many manufacturers face a recurring challenge: films that appear dull, cloudy, or insufficiently bright, which reduces product appeal and customer confidence. To address this, selecting the right optical brightener for PE film is crucial for achieving high clarity, brightness, and visual quality.
1. Key Characteristics and Advantages of PE Stretch Film
PE stretch film is valued for its performance and versatility. Major features include:
1. High Flexibility and Toughness
- Excellent tear resistance
- Withstands impact and rough handling
- Can replace traditional packaging boxes in some applications
2. High Shrinkage and Tight Wrapping
- Strong elasticity enables tight, secure packaging
- After heat shrinkage, film can tightly bundle items
- Can support weights up to 15 kg, improving handling efficiency
3. Superior Transparency
- Approximately 80% light transmittance, allowing clear visibility of packaged goods
- Enhances product display and reduces errors in redistribution
- Works as “invisible advertising,” showcasing the product itself
4. Excellent Moisture, Dust, and Water Resistance
- Protects goods from environmental contamination
- Easy to clean and helps ensure neat, professional packaging
5. Safe and Environmentally Friendly
- Non-toxic, odorless, and pollution-free
- Suitable for both manual and automated wrapping applications
2. Why Optical Brighteners Are Needed for PE Film
Although PE is naturally transparent, actual film production can result in:
- Dullness or cloudy appearance
- Insufficient brightness
- Poor whiteness in films incorporating fillers or recycled material
- Reduced visual quality that affects product positioning
For manufacturers, appearance is a key competitive factor. A transparent, bright, and glossy film signals higher quality, enhances customer trust, and elevates brand perception.
The most effective solution is adding an optical brightener for PE film, which enhances:
- Whiteness
- Transparency
- Visual brightness
- Overall appearance and market value
3. Selecting the Right Optical Brightener for PE Film
Choosing the correct brightener is essential, as PE has specific processing characteristics:
- Low polarity
- High melting viscosity
- Nonpolar structure requiring suitable dispersion properties
With over 20 years of experience, Grand Chemical recommends a PE-specific optical brightener engineered to overcome these challenges and deliver maximum performance.
4. Recommended Optical Brightener Solution for PE Film
Grand Chemical’s PE-specific optical brightener is designed for stretch film, blown film, and various PE packaging materials. It provides:
✔ Enhanced Transparency and Clarity
Improves light transmission, eliminating dullness and cloudiness.
✔ Superior Whiteness and Brightness
Adds a clean, bright-undertone effect, making the film look newer and more premium.
✔ Better Weather and UV Resistance
Helps the film maintain clarity under sunlight exposure and aging conditions.
✔ Excellent Processing Compatibility
Disperses uniformly during extrusion without affecting mechanical properties such as tensile strength or puncture resistance.
✔ Easy to Use
Recommended dosage:
0.02% – 0.05% of the base PE resin.
Simply mix the brightener with other additives during processing. No special equipment or modification is required.
Manufacturers report significant improvements in film gloss, transparency, and product acceptance, leading to better market competitiveness.
5. Conclusion
For producers aiming to enhance the appearance and quality of their stretch film products, choosing the right optical brightener for PE film is essential. The proper brightener not only boosts whiteness and transparency but also improves durability and weather resistance.
Gran Chemical’s PE-specific optical brightener helps manufacturers:
- Achieve premium visual effects
- Improve customer trust
- Strengthen product competitiveness
- Capture a larger market share
To request samples or receive formulation guidance, feel free to contact us.