EPS is inert in nature and therefore does not result in any chemical reactions. Since it will not appeal to any pests, it can be used easily in the construction industry. It is also closed cell, so when used as a core material it will absorb little water and in return, not promote mold or rotting.

EPS is durable, strong as well as lightweight and can be used as insulated panel systems for facades, walls, roofs and floors in buildings, as flotation material in the construction of marinas and pontoons and as a lightweight fill in road and railway construction.

EPS has shock absorbing properties making it ideal for storing and transporting fragile items such as wines, chemicals, electronic equipment, and pharmaceutical products. Its thermal insulation and moisture resistant properties are perfect for packaging cooked food as well as perishable items such as seafood, fruit, and vegetables.

EPS can be used in the manufacture of sliders, model planes, and even surfboards because of its positive strength to weight ratio. The strength of EPS along with its shock absorbing properties makes it effective for use in children’s seats and cycling helmets. It is also compression resistant, meaning that EPS is ideal for stacking packaging goods. EPS also has applications in horticulture in seedling trays to promote aeration of the soil.

EPS is completely recyclable as it will become polystyrene plastic when recycled. With the highest recycling rates for any plastic and accounting for a non-substantial portion of municipal waste, expanded polystyrene is an environmentally friendly polymer. The EPS industry encourages recycling of packaging material and many large companies are successfully collecting and recycling the EPS.

EPS can be recycled in many different ways such as thermal densification and compression. It can be reused in non-foam applications, lightweight concrete, building products and remolded back into EPS foam.

Read our latest blog on EPS and the environment.