What is EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS)?

Styropor is a brand name of BASF AG. The Company began with manufacture of expanded polystyrene (popularly known as Styrofoam)- a BASF AG invention. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid cellular plastic that is made from expandable polystyrene that contains an expansion agent. It is most commonly used for packaging foodstuffs, medical supplies, electrical consumer goods and insulation panels for building.

What is Expandable Polystyrene made from?

Polystyrene is extracted from oil. Thousands of small units of styrene, called monomers, link together to form large molecules of polystyrene by a process called polymerization.

The Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) production process uses a pure hydrocarbon, which does not contain any halogens and does not damage the earth's protective ozone layer, as the expansion agent.

How is EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) processed?

The process involved in making EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) is quite easy to explain. Expanded polystyrene starts as small spherical beads with a typical diameter of 0.5-1.5mm. They contain an expanding agent. When the beads are heated with steam, the agent starts to boil, the polymer softens and the beads expand to about forty times their initial size. After a maturing period to equilibrate temperature and pressure, the pre-foamed beads, which now have a closed cellular foam structure, are packed in a mold and again reheated with steam. The mold is made in the same shape as the finished article. The pre-foamed beads expand further, completely fill the mold cavity and fuse together. When molded, nearly all the volume of the EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) foam (in fact 98%) is air. This is what makes EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) so lightweight and buoyant.

What's so special about EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS)?

Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) has many useful properties. It can be used as an insulator against heat and the cold. It is good at absorbing shocks and protecting delicate items - for example your head when used as part of a cycle crash helmet.

These and other properties have led designers to specify EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) as the first choice material for packaging many products and insulating buildings. EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) is also odorless and non-toxic.

Protective

The outstanding shock absorbency of Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) packaging guarantees the protection of a broad range of products, from white and brown goods through to electronic components.

Durable

The exceptional durability of Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) means that it can effectively protect products from the factory to the home. It is abrasion resistant, yet has a relatively soft surface to protect goods against damage and dirt.

Lightweight

EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) is made of 98% air, making it one of the lightest packaging materials. It adds very little to the weight of the packaging, so transport costs and fuel emissions are kept to a minimum.

Versatile

EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) can be custom-shaped to protect the smallest electrical component or the largest fridge-freezer. This reduces the amount of packaging required, resulting in savings on space, distribution and damaged-goods costs.

Insulating

The thermal insulating properties of EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) help keep food fresh and prevent condensation throughout the distribution chain. It is used in the fish industry for the packaging of chilled products and in the agricultural sector for seed trays and the packing of fruit and vegetables.

Recycle

EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) is being successfully and profitably recovered and recycled throughout the UK. Recycled EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) is either used to make new EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) insulation or packaging, or items such as replacement hardwood furniture, CD and video cases.

Branding

EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) can be clearly marked with the contents or company logo, or labeling can be attached directly to the EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) packaging.

Cost Effective

All these qualities add up to make EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) one of the most cost effective, best value-for-money packaging materials on the market today.

What can EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) be used for?

A major use of EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) is as a packaging material it can be used in rigid shapes designed to fit closely around an item such as a television set or as small pieces as a cushioning material to fill the space around products in a box.

EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) is used within the car, electrical goods, construction and leisure industries as well as many others.

EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) is widely used in the construction industry to keep buildings warm (or cold!) and to reduce impact noise levels. It is produced in large, rigid, lightweight sheets that can be easily fixed to walls, ceilings and floors. Being so light in weight means that it is easy to fix and carry around the building site. It is also easy to cut with a fine tooth saw, knife or hot wire.

EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) panels that are packed in the cavity of a house wall will reduce heat loss up to five times that of a wall with no insulation.

EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) can also be used to improve impact sound insulation in office blocks with solid concrete floors by damping impact vibrations. Large slabs can be laid quickly with no special equipment. Because it is so buoyant, EXPANDABLE POLYSTYRENE (EPS) can also be used to make floating pontoons for yachting marinas.

Commonly used terms industry terms (Proprietary & Non-Proprietary): EPS, Expanded Polystyrene, Expandable Polystyrene, Styrofoam, Thermocole, Thermocol, Styropor, Foam, Packing Foam, Packaging, Aluminium Molds, Aluminum Molds, Aluminium Moulds, Aluminum Moulds, Shape Moulding Machine, Shape Molding Machine, Mould, Mold, ICF, Insulated Concrete Forms.