Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS)

Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) is a lightweight, rigid cellular plastic material made by expanding small beads of polystyrene with steam and molding them into a closed-cell foam structure. It is widely used in protective packaging, insulation, construction materials, food containers and transport applications because it is lightweight, shock-absorbing, moisture-resistant and thermally insulating. EPS can be recycled, but its low density and bulky form can make collection and transport uneconomical. Industrial densifiers can compress or melt EPS into compact blocks, reducing its volume and allowing the material to be transported more efficiently for reprocessing into products such as new packaging, insulation, construction materials and molded plastic goods.