Plastic Antioxidant Market, Dominated by Hindered Phenols!

In the production and application of plastic products, the impact of oxygen and ultraviolet light cannot be ignored. These natural elements can accelerate the thermo-oxidative and photo-oxidative reactions of plastic materials, leading to a decline in product performance and a shortened service life. To address this challenge, antioxidants and light stabilizers are widely used as key additives in the plastics industry. They can effectively slow down the aging process of materials and maintain the stability of product performance.

According to the Masterbatch Industry Network, antioxidants are the most widely used category of plastic additives, with applications spanning the entire lifecycle of plastics, including synthesis, processing, storage, and usage. Based on differences in molecular structure and mechanisms of action, antioxidants can be divided into five major categories: hindered phenols, phosphite esters, sulfur-containing compounds, composites, and hindered amines. Among these, hindered phenol antioxidants have become the primary type of antioxidants in plastic materials due to their excellent antioxidant performance.

Among hindered phenolic antioxidants, polyphenolic antioxidants 1010 and 1076 have become leading products in both domestic and international markets due to their high molecular weight, good compatibility, and excellent antioxidant performance. These antioxidants interrupt chain reactions by capturing oxidative free radicals, and their effectiveness is significantly influenced by the steric hindrance of substituents adjacent to the hydroxyl group in their molecular structure. In recent years, asymmetric hindered phenolic antioxidants have demonstrated outstanding performance in fields with high requirements for heat resistance and color stability due to their unique structural advantages.

In terms of auxiliary antioxidants, phosphite and sulfur-containing antioxidants exert a synergistic effect by decomposing hydroperoxides. Among them, phosphite antioxidants such as 168 and 626 hold a significant position in the domestic market. Composite antioxidants achieve a "1+1>2" synergistic effect through the scientific combination of different types of antioxidants, enhancing anti-aging performance while reducing costs.

In the field of light stabilizers, hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) achieve highly effective light stabilization through their unique tetramethylpiperidine backbone structure and multiple mechanisms of action. These products not only capture free radicals but also decompose hydroperoxides and quench singlet oxygen. Their active groups can be regenerated in a cyclic manner, significantly extending the service life of plastic products. Mainstream domestic products such as 944, 770, and 622 demonstrate excellent thermo-oxidative stability in materials like polypropylene.

Ultraviolet absorbers, as another important class of light stabilizers, include benzophenone and benzotriazole types, which protect plastic materials by converting light energy into heat. Although quenchers have been restricted in developed countries, the performance of light blockers such as carbon black and titanium dioxide has been significantly improved with the development of nanotechnology.

Currently, China's plastic antioxidants and light stabilizers industry has established a relatively complete product system, not only meeting domestic market demands but also exporting some high-quality products. With the advancement of material science, the performance and application fields of these additives continue to expand, providing strong support for improving the performance and extending the lifespan of plastic products.