Wisdom For Polyethylene vol.26

26. What Is UV-Cut Film?

2025-12-04

"I want to protect my products or materials from ultraviolet rays, but I don’t know which UV-cut film to choose…"

This article provides a clear explanation of ultraviolet (UV) basics and the mechanism and effectiveness of UV-cut films.

Understanding Light

Visible light is emitted from the sun and artificial lighting.
It is composed of various wavelengths, which combine to appear white to the human eye.
Using a prism to separate visible light by wavelength reveals distinct colors.

The visible spectrum consists of the following colors in order of increasing wavelength: violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Depending on the context, intermediate shades such as blue-violet or yellow-green may also be recognized.

・ Visible light wavelengths: approximately 380 nm to 750 nm

・ Shorter than visible light: Ultraviolet (UV)

・ Longer than visible light: Infrared (IR)

Types of Ultraviolet Rays

Near Ultraviolet (UV-A): Wavelength: 315–400 nm
Characteristics: Approximately 95% of the ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface is UV-A. It contributes to skin aging and pigmentation.

Medium Ultraviolet (UV-B): Wavelength: 280–315 nm
Characteristics: About 5% of the UV radiation reaching the surface is UV-B. Even short-term exposure can cause sunburn and skin damage, and long-term exposure increases the risk of skin cancer.

Far Ultraviolet (UV-C): Wavelength: 100–280 nm
Characteristics: Nearly all UV-C is absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere. It has sterilizing effects and is used in medical applications and water purification.

Type	Wavelength (nm)	Characteristics
UV-A	315–400	Accounts for ~95% of UV reaching the Earth; causes skin aging and pigmentation
UV-B	280–315	Accounts for ~5% of UV; causes sunburn and skin damage; long-term exposure may lead to skin cancer
UV-C	100–280	Almost entirely absorbed by the atmosphere; has sterilization effects and is used in medical and water purification applications

Approximate Wavelengths of Visible Light

Color	Wavelength (nm)
Violet	380–450
Blue	450–495
Green	495–570
Yellow	570–590
Orange	590–620
Red	620–750

Role of UV-Cut Film

UV rays can degrade plastic films, so outdoor or weather-resistant applications require films containing:

UV absorbers (UVA)
Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers (HALS)

These additives absorb UV wavelengths from 290 nm to 400 nm, preventing film deterioration.

However, our UV-cut film is designed to protect the packaged product, not the film itself.

While UV protection was not widely requested in the past, demand has increased recently due to the need to prevent degradation of packaged goods.

Our UV-cut film has a slightly yellow tint, which previously made it less desirable for display applications.
However, current trends prioritize product protection, and demand for UV-cut film continues to grow.

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