Plastic foam has come a long way from those annoying packing peanuts that seem to delight in spreading themselves across one's kitchen floor. Plastic foam fulfills many roles: from industrial plastic foam for packaging, aircraft cushions and insulation. There is even high density plastic foam that has flame retardant properties added, and foam that creates a barrier moisture cannot cross, thus removing the need for airtight packaging.

Below is information that will help your company in making the most of plastic foam. It’s important you learn the various foam plastic types available, from general foam plastic to the not so general. You’ll also find information for foam manufacturers, plastic foam suppliers and the plastic foam distributor. In many cases, the roles of suppliers of plastic foam and foam manufacturer are the same, not to mention the manufacture of the various forms of plastic foam.

1. Use foam for packaging.

2. Rely on plastic foam for insulation and more.

3. Explore the benefits of high density plastic foam.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Let plastic foam packaging protect your items for shipping

The plastic foam works well to protect items through shipping, and can be formed into any imaginable shape. The plastic foam manufacturers can make trays and protective shapes for the aerospace industry, computer industry, automotive industry and more. Formation of plastic foam can also happen in clean rooms.

I recommend: Two manufacturers of plastic foam are Quality Foam Packaging and UFP Technologies.

Rely on industrial plastic foam for industrial jobs

Industrial plastic foam manufacturers create 'foam-in-place' packaging, as well as insulation, vibration dampening, gasketing, surge mitigation and more. Industrial plastic can also protect ferrous metals from rusting by having VCI or a Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor added to the foam that prevents moisture from reaching the metal.

I recommend: Two industrial foam manufacturers are Pac Foam Products and Foam Design.

Take advantage of high density plastic foam

High density plastic foam can have varying thickness, according to the companies' needs. These foams can also have additives added to make them fire resistant. High density foam has low weight, as well as flexibility and stability. The industries that use the foam include a wide range: from the military to toys.

I recommend: Sekisui Voltek and Zotefoams are two manufacturers of high density plastic foam as well as other types of plastic foam as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact plastic foam distributors to inquire after pricing. In addition, the manufacturers of plastic foam are more than willing to create foam that will meet your specific requirements.

Plastic foam is an excellent form of insulation and offers a protective cushion for packing and shipping products. High density plastic foam is available in various shapes and sizes and can be adapted to fit your specifications. General foam plastic products are a cost-effective solution to your plastic foam packaging needs.

Foam manufacturers can work with you to find the general foam plastic products that can protect your products and suit your needs. Suppliers of plastic foam should offer you different styles and have a wide price range to suit your plastic foam purchasing budget. When looking for plastic foams for your business, you should:

1. Find plastic foam suppliers that offer a variety of foam plastic to meet your needs.

2. Buy plastic foam wholesale to save money for your business.

3. Consider custom plastic foam products to fit the unique packing needs of your business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose foam manufacturers who offer a variety of foam plastic

Pick plastic foam distributors who stock a nice selection of general foam plastic products for the best variety to suit the needs of your business.

I recommend: Use the Carpenter Company as your general foam plastic supplier. Carpenter Co. offers flexible foam packaging, polystyrene packing solutions and friendly customer service to meet the needs of clients. PAC Foam Products Corporation offer flexible and rigid plastic foam fabrication to meet your specifications.

Buy plastic foam in bulk

Plastic foam at wholesale prices is the cost-effective solution to your high density plastic foam needs. Industrial plastic foam manufacturers can offer volume discounts if you purchase a certain quantity of plastic foams in stock.

I recommend: Use Rogers Corporation for your bulk plastic foam needs. Rogers Corp. offers high performance foams to meet your specifications and a free quote for high volume orders. The professionals at Quality Foam Packaging offer competitive volume pricing and the knowledge of plastic foam products to help you choose the foam plastic that is a correct fit for your business needs.

Choose a distributor that can customize their plastic foam product to meet your specifications

Custom plastic foam products are made to fit your product exactly to provide optimal protection to protect product integrity.

I recommend: Use E.N. Murray Company to create custom high density plastic foam to fit your product needs. The professionals at San Antonio Foam Fabricators can customize foam plastic to meet your business specifications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask suppliers of plastic foam for samples of foam plastic products to ensure the plastic foam meets your standards before you commit to purchasing it.

Plastic foam is used in so many different industries from the automotive industry to furniture production. Because its uses vary so widely, available education materials also vary widely. You should look for educational materials based on your specific industrial use.

Plastic foam suppliers are a valuable resource when it comes to education as it pertains to the specific foam with which you work. Start by talking to the distributor or manufacturer with whom you currently work and asking for any training or education materials they may have. If they can't provide you with useful information, consider looking to other manufacturers of the same type of product. To educate your employees, you should:

1. Outsource your plastic foam educational needs to a professional training organization.

2. Ask for training materials from plastic foam distributors.

3. Join a group of industrial foam users to find additional resources.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire a technical educational company to train your employees about foam plastic

Find a training seminar or course that fits in your budget and meets your industrial plastic foam training needs. Make sure the course will cover information you need covered such as installation, proper handling and maintenance of any equipment.

I recommend: Get valuable training videos from Paulson Training Programs including injection molding, plastic foam resources and more. ToolingU and ITC Learning are two other professional training organizations that offer a variety of industrial training including injection molding, principals of foam products and more.

Get helpful training materials from foam manufacturers

Ask your current supplier or a potential plastic foam distributor to provide you with complete training materials. Some manufacturers provide a wide range of materials from videos to brochures and special training equipment.

I recommend: Industrial plastic foam manufacturers Merryweather Foam provides a detailed listing of foam types and proper uses. Monmouth Rubber & Plastics Corp., suppliers of plastic foam, offers a library of educational materials dealing with their industrial foam products.

Network with others to find useful plastic foam education and training

Find invaluable training materials through contacts you make when you join associations or groups of industrial companies using the same types of general foam plastic you use. Look for companies that you can trade training materials with or combine your educational needs.

I recommend: Find a library of educational resources available from the Polyurethane Foam Association. Join the association for even more resources like updates on training seminars and educational materials available to members only. The Federation of Societies for Coating Technology is an organization set up to help its members find the coating educational materials they need. They have a wide range of resources available and include members from 45 countries.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because plastic foams are made up of a complex chemical compound, it's important that anyone who comes in contact with the foam has a good understanding of the proper handling and safety involved with its use.

When you think of plastic foam, you probably think of foam plastic used in shipping and packaging materials, specifically “peanuts.” At one time that was the most common application and use for foam plastics. Today’s plastic foam suppliers have many other products to offer to consumers that open the doors for new and creative plastic foam applications and uses.

As you consider whether you can use foam plastic in your business, think about whether you can use it as part of the packaging process. You might also consider whether foam plastic could function as insulation for your business. As insulation, foam plastic works equally well for new construction and remodeling projects. You should also make sure that:

1. The suppliers of plastic foam that you deal with have the products you want.

2. The plastic foam distributors offer customized options if you need them.

3. The cost of the foam plastic is comparable or lower than other types of packaging or insulation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use foam manufacturers that have the packaging materials you need

Foam plastic for packaging purposes comes in a wide variety of types and styles. You can find a plastic foam to wrap just about any type of material for safe shipping.

I recommend: The supplier of plastic foam, Bubble and Foam Packaging, offers foam bags, pouches, rolls, planks and many other forms of general foam plastic useful in packaging and shipping. Universal Foam Products has lightweight plastic foams that can be custom fit for packaging.

Select high-density foam plastic

You can find high density plastic foam from suppliers of plastic foam as a stock item, or you can have it custom designed to safely carry your product. Find industrial plastic foam manufacturers who are willing to work with you to design the product to your specifications at a cost you can afford.

I recommend: UFP Technologies, a foam manufacturer, can design high-density foam products for shipping or storing your goods. Let the General Plastics Manufacturing Company design high density modeling foam for you to use in designing new products.

Use plastic foam for insulation

Plastic foam for insulating purposes comes in two basic forms. The first is in sheet or board form. You can cover the sides of your building with the foam insulating boards, then cover the boards with siding. The other industrial plastic foam used in insulation is a spray. Technicians direct the foam into the area between studs and attic area of a building. When the spray sets, it becomes hard.

I recommend: Read the information at Closed Cell Structures to find out more about different types of spray foam insulation.