7 min read

3/17/26

Stop Plastic Degradation with BASF Light Stabilizers

Demand continues to rise for high‑performance solutions that help plastics retain their durability and appearance under exposure to light and heat, as UV radiation can break down polymer bonds and lead to discoloration, brittleness, cracking, chalking, and the loss of critical mechanical properties.

BASF’s advanced light stabilizers are specifically engineered to prevent this photodegradation by protecting plastics from UV‑ and heat‑induced damage, ensuring long‑lasting performance across a wide range of applications. Designed with low volatility to enhance sustainability and processing efficiency, these stabilizers help maintain the integrity of polymers while delivering reliable resistance to weathering and thermal stress.

Adding light stabilizers is essential to preserving material strength, color stability, and overall product longevity in UV‑sensitive plastic systems.

Weathering of plastics comes not only from UV rays but also from environmental factors like temperature changes, moisture, and contaminants, all of which speed up degradation. Hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) help prevent this damage by capturing and neutralizing free radicals formed during sunlight exposure. By stopping the degradation cycle, HALS help plastics maintain their strength, appearance, and durability even in tough outdoor conditions.

Light stabilizers from BASF ensure plastics withstand UV exposure, heat, processing stress, and long-term weathering.

Key features and benefits of Light Stabilizers:

✔️ Long-term durability

✔️ Excellent long-term colour retention

✔️ Provides long-term heat stability

✔️ Low‑volatility

Retain colour stability, and performance of plastics

Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers [HALS] that we offer:

Chimassorb® 944 FDL and Tinuvin® 622 are high‑molecular‑weight, oligomeric HALS (hindered amine light stabilizers) engineered to protect polyolefins and related polymers from UV‑initiated free‑radical degradation, delivering long‑term retention of mechanical properties and color.

Chimassorb® 944 FDL

Chimassorb® 944 FDL is a high molecular weight, hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) for long term thermal stabilization of thin and thick organic substrates.

Key features of Chimassorb® 944 FDL

✅ Excellent compatibility

✅ Good resistance to extraction

✅ Low volatility

✅ Excellent light stability to thin and thick articles

Chimassorb® 944 FDL is recommended for applications such as:

• Polyolefins, olefin co-polymers

• Polyamides, polyurethanes

• Flexible and rigid PVC

• Blends of polypropylene with elastomers

Sample Chimassorb® 944 FDL

Tinuvin® 622 is the light stabilizer of choice for all applications calling for low volatility and minimal migration, because of its oligomeric structure with high molecular weight. Furthermore it is effective as an antioxidant and contributes significantly to the long-term heat stability of polyolefins and tackifier resins.

Key features of Tinuvin® 622

✅ Excellent protection from degradation through ultraviolet radiation

✅ Good resistance to extraction

✅ Low volatility

Tinuvin® 622 is recommended for applications such as:

• Polyolefins (PP, PE)

• Olefin copolymers such as EVA

• Blends of polypropylene with elastomers

• Polyacetals

• Polyamides and polyurethane applications

Sample Tinuvin® 622

HALS are very efficient stabilizers for polymers and especially polyolefins. They do not absorb UV radiation, but inhibit degradation of the polymer by scavenging radicals. Significant levels of stabilization are achieved at relatively low concentrations. HALS' high efficiency and longevity are due to a cyclic process wherein the HALS are regenerated rather than consumed during the stabilization process.

HALS are therefore:

✓ Very effective in high surface area applications such as film and fiber,

✓ The most effective additive for the light stabilization of polyolefins,

✓ Also highly effective thermal stabilizers for longer polyolefin articles service life.

UV Absorbers: Chimassorb® 81

UV Stabilizers slow down the degradation process by preferentially absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation and dissipating it as thermal energy.

UV Absorbers are therefore effective:

✓ at protecting the polymer bulk,

✓ at protecting the content when used in packaging films or bottles,

✓ at protecting other additives, more sensitive to UV light (e.g. pigments and flame retardants),

✓ in UV absorbing substrates, such as polystyrenes, polyesters, etc.

Chimassorb® 81 is an ultraviolet light absorber (UVA) of the benzophenone class, imparting good light stability when used in combination with a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) of the Chimassorb®, or Tinuvin® range.

It provides significant protection against UV degradation in plastics and is particularly valued for its effectiveness in polyolefins (PE, LLDPE, LDPE, EVA) and plasticized PVC, especially in thick sections and agricultural films.

Typical Applications:

✅ Agricultural Films: Greenhouse films and mulch films.

✅ Packaging: Industrial and consumer packaging applications.

✅ Polymer Parts: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) molded articles.

✅ Protection for additional polymers: Plasticized PVC, rubbers, etc.

Chimassorb® 81 can be used in combination with antioxidants, phosphites and other light stabilizers.

Sample Chimassorb 81 (EVP)

Sample Chimassorb 81 FL (EVP)

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