Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
EPS is a scientifically innovative material that, since its introduction in Germany in 1930, has captured an ever growing range of accepted applications throughout the world. EPS is a truly proven versatile, inert material which exhibits the following unbeatable qualities:
- a highly efficient thermal insulation value
- excellent shock absorption
- a very high flexural strength to weight ratio
- an economically viable material
- compatible with the environment
- a proven dimensional stability
- moisture resistant
- compatible with a very wide range of other products
- no nutritional value to support fungal, bacteriological or animal growth
- user friendly non toxic and non irritant.
Expanded Polystyrene has been used and proven throughout the world. It is constantly being developed into reliable and predictable products of high consistency and performance. Manufactured throughout New Zealand, EPS is cost effective and readily available for many and varied uses.
7,000 tonnes of EPS were manufactured in New Zealand in 2002. 67% of this was used in construction products and 26% in packaging.
The EPS manufacturers group thanks BASF New Zealand Ltd, Huntsman Chemical Company NZ Ltd and Shell New Zealand Ltd for their assistance with the technical data used in this section of the site.