UV Stabilizers: A Shield Against Summer Heat
23.07.2026
Record heat in June 2026 – what does that do to plastics outdoors, and how do UV stabilizers protect garden furniture, roofing, and more from brittleness and discoloration?
Large parts of Europe have seen record heat for weeks: in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, temperatures reached 41.8 degrees Celsius in June. For plastics in gardens and on terraces, such extreme values mean a double burden: intense UV radiation and high temperatures age the material.
UV light breaks molecular chains in the polymer. This creates radicals that react with atmospheric oxygen, further driving the aging process. As a result, the material becomes brittle, surfaces develop cracks, and the plastic discolors or fades.
Plastics permanently exposed to outdoor weather in the garden are particularly affected, for example:
- Garden furniture and outdoor textiles made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE)
- Privacy screens and fencing systems made of PVC
- Sheets for terrace roofing and greenhouses made of polycarbonate
- Other plastic components and housings in garden and outdoor settings
UV resistance also plays a key role in garden technology: garden hoses made of PVC or TPE require UV stabilizers to avoid becoming porous or brittle under constant sun exposure. Housings for robotic lawnmowers, their charging stations, and cable boxes for boundary wires are often made of ABS, PP, or polycarbonate – materials that stay outdoors year-round and therefore depend particularly on reliable UV protection.
Two Specialty Additive Types Protect Against UV Damage
Two types of stabilizers counteract this aging process:
- UV absorbers convert radiation into heat before it can damage the material.
- HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers) act a step later: they neutralize radicals that have already formed – repeatedly, without being consumed in the process.
In practice, both types are often combined.
Temperatures are rising, as is the number of sunshine hours – and with it, the demand for UV stabilizers. To meet the increased need for longer service life, higher durability, and improved sustainability, suppliers are advancing their product offerings. BASF expanded its capacities for HALS and NOR-HALS additives in April 2026. Additives under the Tinuvin®, Uvinul®, and Chimassorb® brands are used both in classic outdoor applications and in particularly resilient agricultural and greenhouse films, for instance as NOR-HALS.
Other companies in the industry reflect this trend as well: last year, BYK Additives introduced BYK-MAX LS 4128, a new UV stabilization system for polyamides and polyolefins. The granular additive acts as a radical scavenger and peroxide decomposer, specifically protecting plastics permanently exposed to the elements.
Tip: For material development and procurement, it's worth taking a close look at the stabilizer combination used in products for the garden and outdoor sector – not just the plastic type itself.
Further suppliers of UV stabilizers and additive solutions for outdoor use can be found in the K exhibitor database.
Did You Know?
- UV radiation affects plastics mainly in the range of 280 to 400 nanometers – shorter, higher-energy wavelengths cause the most damage.
- Heat further intensifies UV damage: as a rule of thumb, the rate of chemical reactions – including material aging – roughly doubles with every 10°C increase in temperature.
- Dark plastic surfaces in direct sunlight can reach temperatures far higher than the surrounding air – an effect that further increases material stress on hot days.