In today’s highly competitive plastics industry, cost reduction and sustainability are top priorities. To stay profitable and eco-friendly, many manufacturers turn to recycled plastics for reprocessing. This process—commonly known as plastic granulation—involves crushing, melting, and reforming plastic waste into reusable granules.
However, recycled plastic granules often differ noticeably from virgin materials. They may appear yellowish, dull, or impure, leading to finished products that lack brightness, whiteness, and transparency. To overcome these issues and restore a high-quality appearance, manufacturers rely on optical brightening agents (OBAs)—especially OBA for recycled plastic.
Why Use OBA for Recycled Plastic?
When plastics are recycled, impurities, oxidation, and repeated heating can cause color degradation and yellowing. An optical brightening agent (OBA) counteracts this by absorbing ultraviolet light and emitting blue-violet fluorescence. This optical effect neutralizes yellow tones and enhances whiteness and brightness, making recycled materials look as fresh and clean as virgin plastic.
By adding OBA for recycled plastic during granulation, manufacturers can:
- Restore the natural whiteness of recycled resins
- Improve visual quality and product consistency
- Increase market value and customer satisfaction
- Maintain performance without affecting transparency or strength
Choosing the Right Optical Brightener for Recycled Plastic
Not all OBAs are suitable for the demanding conditions of plastic granulation. The process involves high-temperature melting, and if the brightener cannot withstand these temperatures, it may degrade—causing discoloration, yellowing, or even black specks in the final product.
That’s why choosing a high-temperature-resistant OBA is critical.
Optical Brightener OB-1: The Ideal Choice of OBA for Recycled Plastics
Optical Brightener OB-1 is one of the most effective OBAs for recycled plastic applications. It offers excellent thermal stability and can withstand temperatures up to 360°C, making it ideal for use in high-temperature extrusion and granulation processes.
Key benefits of OB-1 include:
- Superior whitening performance for recycled plastics
- High heat resistance up to 360°C
- Excellent chemical stability and non-yellowing performance
- Good compatibility with a wide range of polymers (such as PET, PP, PE, and PS)
- Cost-effective solution for improving recycled material quality
With OBA OB-1, manufacturers can achieve bright, clean, and visually appealing recycled plastic products—meeting market standards while maintaining sustainable production practices.
Conclusion
Using an OBA for recycled plastic, like Optical Brightener OB-1, is a simple yet powerful way to enhance product appearance, value, and quality. Whether you are processing PET flakes, PP, or PE granules, OB-1 helps you achieve a cleaner, whiter, and more consistent final product—proving that recycled materials can look just as good as virgin plastics.
At Shandong Grand Chemical Co., Ltd., we specialize in producing and supplying a wide range of high-performance fluorescent brighteners for plastics, coatings, detergents, and textiles.
📩 Contact us for product data sheets, samples, or technical guidance:
Email: sales@obachemical.com
WhatsApp: +86 13173009832