UNSPSC 12164603: Optical brightener

A type of additive that absorbs light in the ultraviolet and violet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and re-emits light in the blue region. These additives are designed to enhance the appearance of colours in fabrics and papers.

UNSPSC 12164603 Optical brightener is a Commodity code covering chemical additives that enhance the brightness and whiteness of textiles, papers, and other materials through fluorescent properties. State and local governments procure optical brighteners primarily for use in laundry operations at correctional facilities, state hospitals, and other institutional settings where high-volume fabric processing requires brightness enhancement; municipalities also source these agents for paper-based operations and waste-treatment processes. The issuing bodies are typically state departments of corrections, state health and human services agencies managing institutional laundries, and occasionally municipal public works or water-treatment departments.

The source contains no recent state or local contract opportunities tagged to this code as of July 2026. Without posted solicitations, geographic concentration and representative recent activity cannot be characterized from current procurement signals.