Chemworld International is a leading optical brightener manufacturer and supplier in the USA, providing fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) for detergents, textile processing, plastic compounding, and paper manufacturing. Optical brightening agents (OBAs) work by absorbing invisible UV light and re-emitting it as visible blue light — creating a bright, white appearance that goes beyond what bleaching alone can achieve.
Our optical brightener portfolio covers grades optimized for every substrate: detergent-grade CBS-X and AMS-GX for laundry applications, polyester-specific grades like Optical CF and CL, nylon and wool-compatible EBF and ERN grades, cotton brighteners like Optical BA and BHT, and plastic and rubber-grade OB and OB-1.
Browse grades by substrate below or contact our team for technical guidance on selecting the right optical brightener for your application.
Call us at +1 609-750-0093 or email dyes@chemworldintl.com
The color shades displayed should only be considered a representation of the indicated dye or pigment. Actual color can depend on varying factors, including the desired application. Product samples are recommended for testing before use and/or purchase.
An optical brightener (also called a fluorescent whitening agent or FWA) is a chemical compound that absorbs ultraviolet radiation and re-emits it as visible blue-white light. This makes substrates appear whiter and brighter than their natural color. They are used in detergents, textiles, plastics, and paper.
CBS-X is a stilbene-type optical brightener primarily used in liquid and powder detergents and for brightening cotton fibers. OB-1 is a benzoxazole-type brightener designed for high-temperature plastic processing and synthetic fiber applications. The choice depends on your substrate and processing conditions.
Optical brighteners approved for use in consumer products (detergents, textiles, packaging) have been evaluated for safety by regulatory bodies. Our team provides full safety data sheets and can confirm the appropriate grade for your end-use and regional regulatory requirements.
Optical brighteners for food-contact plastics must comply with FDA regulations and relevant international standards. Please contact our technical team with your specific application and we will identify compliant options.
Depending on the grade, optical brighteners are available as powders, granules, or liquid solutions. For textile exhaust and pad processes, liquid and powder forms are most common. For plastic compounding, powder and granule forms are preferred. Contact us to confirm available forms for specific grades.
Yes. Samples are available for most optical brightener grades with no minimum order requirement. Contact our team with your substrate, application conditions, and target brightness level and we will recommend the best grade and provide a sample.