HOMEABOUT USTRADEFOR MEMBERSPIPANEWS & INFOCONTACT US

  Introduction
  FAQs
  7 ways to make plastic products
  6 common plastics
  Identifying Types of Plastics
  Reference Materials For Sale
  Plastics Identification Codes
  Plastics Design
  Degradable Plastics
  Plastic Film
  Plastic Myths & Legends
 
  EPS and the Environment
  EPS Properties
  EPS as Thermal Insulation
  EPS Fire behaviour
  EPS Packaging
  PVC
about plastics logo image

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. 
Did you know...
New Zealand does not make any raw materials for plastic, it is all imported from overseas. Most plastic arrives here in big bags or bales of granules ready to be made into products.

Print this page