EPS - A reliable and light material
Lightweight and versatile, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is known for its insulation and protective properties.
EPS is used in applications including building insulation and packaging. It is composed primarily of air by volume and can be technically recycled through mechanical, physical and chemical processes. Actual collection and recycling depend on the application, product design and local infrastructure.
"EPS supports a range of recycling pathways, including mechanical, physical and chemical processes. Continued progress in collection and recycling systems can help expand these options across applications and regions."
How is EPS constribution to the European renovation and energy efficiency objectives?
EPS is more useful than you think when it comes to insulating your homes.
A Short Story of EPS
The history of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) started in 1949 when an accidental discovery by Fritz Stastny (BASF) led to the creation of a lightweight, cost-effective material. By 1952, EPS was introduced at the Düsseldorf plastics trade show, setting the stage for its widespread use. In 1954, its use in building insulation marked its introduction into construction. A short three years later, in 1957, the first ETICS was installed with EPS insulation and remains in service today. The leap to mass production followed in the late 1950s with facilities opening in Brazil and France. Notably, in 1962, EPS was chosen to transport the Mona Lisa thanks to its outstanding protective qualities.
1997 marked a big shift for EPS with the market release of “grey EPS”, which offers greater thermal insulation compared to white EPS in the construction sector. By 2020, the insulating properties of EPS became crucial for transporting COVID-19 vaccines globally, playing a big role in saving lives. Through these developments, EPS has demonstrated its versatility and importance, and remains in use in a range of applications.
When used as part of a building system, EPS insulation can contribute to the thermal performance of a building. Actual energy use and greenhouse-gas impacts depend on the building design, installation, climate, user behaviour and energy mix. In packaging, EPS can provide protection and temperature control for specified applications. EPS is technically recyclable in packaging and construction applications, subject to available collection and recycling systems.
How is EPS Made?
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is composed of 98% air and only 2% raw material. When exposed to steam, the polystyrene beads expand to up to 40 times their original volume and can be compacted into any shape or moulded forms such as transport packaging, fish boxes, insulation blocks, bicycle helmets and much more.
Engineers continuously innovate to enhance EPS's protective, recyclable, and insulating qualities, ensuring its longstanding utility and efficiency. Insulation boards cut from this material are then bound with a flame retardant to ensure maximum fire safety, with a strict regard to high EU legislative standards.
In recent years, EPS insulation containing graphite (aka. “grey EPS”) has become increasingly popular. Encased in polystyrene, the graphite behaves like a mirror, reflecting heat and reducing the amount of thermal radiation that passes through the foam. Thanks to this innovation, grey insulation boards are up to 20% thinner while saving up to 50% resources in production without compromising on insulation efficiency.
Primarily, 75% of EPS in Europe serves for thermal insulation in buildings, and globally, a third is used as packaging material. EPS's versatility also extends to the production of helmets, life vests, and even in model construction and electrical engineering.
Applications in Building & Construction
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is used as an insulation material in a range of construction applications. Its thermal characteristics, weight and ease of handling vary by product grade and intended use.
EPS insulation can be used in façades, internal walls, roofs and floors. When correctly specified and installed as part of a complete building system, it can contribute to the building’s thermal performance. Actual heating and cooling energy use and costs depend on the overall building design, installation, climate, operation and energy source.
Applications in Packaging
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) packaging is used where lightweight, insulating and protective properties are required. It can be moulded into shapes designed to hold, separate and protect products during storage and transport.
Applications include protective packaging for fragile electronics and household appliances, as well as insulated packaging for perishable and temperature-sensitive products. The appropriate packaging solution depends on the product, transport conditions, hygiene requirements and required level of protection.
EPS packaging can be technically recycled through established processes, subject to its design and the availability of local collection and recycling infrastructure.
The Properties of EPS Insulation
With a composition of approximately 98% air, EPS is light yet strong, helping to facilitate handling and transport.
As a technically recyclable material, EPS can be processed through mechanical and chemical recycling routes. These routes can support material recovery where suitable collection and recycling infrastructure is available.
With low thermal conductivity, EPS insulation can contribute to a building’s thermal performance when correctly specified and installed. Its weather- and moisture-resistance characteristics should be assessed for the specific product, building system and application.
EPS insulation can be cut and shaped to suit a range of applications, including through hot-wire cutting. Handling and installation must follow the applicable product instructions and site safety requirements.
Expanded polystyrene stands out for its exceptional cost efficiency, offering both material affordability and economical processing.
EPS products can provide resistance to compression, tensile stress, shock and moisture, depending on the product grade, application and installation. Their durability should be assessed against the relevant product specifications and building-system requirements.