Though the ubiquitous, and often annoying, use of EPS is packing peanuts, the material can be in so many more applications, from architectural to packaging and even art. Thanks to advances, expanded polystyrene foam is also recyclable--something important in this world of global warming.

Many US expanded polystyrene manufacturers create a wide range of EPS products. Expanded polystyrene manufacturers and EPS foam providers can provide you with product that you can use for several different purposes.

1. Insulate your home or business with EPS.

2. Protect and preserve with EPS packing materials.

3. Show off your artistic abilities with EPS.

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

Make buildings tighter with EPS

In times of high energy costs, many consider methods of making your house or building more energy efficient. EPS as an insulator is becoming more and more popular. This is mainly because of EPS's composition. EPS is comprised of many cells that don't connect, so air, or more importantly heat, isn't able to pass through. Using expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) against the foundation, the roof and walls helps to seal those areas more efficiently. According to an expanded polystyrene manufacturer, EPS insulation has R-value of 3.85 per inch. It also does not absorb much water, which means that it retains up to 97% thermal efficiency. This makes its application in roofs a great benefit.

I recommend: Insulation Technology and PermaTherm are two EPS foam suppliers that manufacture EPS insulation. PermaTherm also manufactures Structural Insulated Panels. Both manufacturers also make other EPS foam products.

Protect shipped items with foam packing material

Part of the appeal of EPS is the ease with which the material can be formed. The EPS foam provider can form the EPS into any shape needed so it can protect any item, not matter the shape, so it arrives at its destination undamaged. The EPS foam manufacturer can make specialized packaging for fragile medical and scientific items or even AC units.

I recommend: EPS foam suppliers Iowa EPS Products and Texas Foam are among many manufacturers who specialize in foam packing material.

Employ EPS in artistic ways

Thanks to the ease with which EPS can be shaped, architects are quick to use EPS in building projects. The shapes EPS can take seem limitless: crown moldings, cove moldings, deco band moldings and every conceivable architectural detail. Because EPS is easy to paint, the fact that the molding, or other details, are foam and not wood or stone isn't important. In fact, expanded polystyrene manufacturers use EPS to make convincing faux stone that, once coated with coating that contains cement, is difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

I recommend: Califoam Products and Architectural and Stone Crafters specialize in making architectural details and faux stone. As with most of the manufacturers featured, the companies make other EPS foam products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact the manufacturers of EPS if their catalogues do not include the specific EPS products you need. They would be willing to work with your to create something that would better meet your specifications.

Expanded polystyrene manufacturers offer a wide range of products that can help you with your business. Whether you're looking for a specific EPS foam packing material or for custom packaging, EPS foam providers can make the product you wish to use.

Whatever use you find for EPS foam products, you can rest assured that polystyrene foam is environmentally friendly. While recycling for expanded polystyrene is not widely available at this time, the level 6 recyclable is a green product.

EPS foam suppliers generally provide polystyrene foam for sale in three categories:

1. Foam packing material

2. Polystyrene foam insulation materials

3. Custom products designed to customer specifications.

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

Locate expanded polystyrene manufacturers that provide the packaging materials you need

Know what kind of packaging you need. If you typically ship your products in a certain size box or container, then look for an EPS foam supplier that offers products in the size and dimension you need. If standard packaging is available, it's going to be much cheaper than a custom product.

I recommend: Uline is an industry leader in packaging materials. They offer a wide range of inexpensive EPS sheets and other packaging components. Foam Control is another EPS foam provider that specializes in packaging foam.

Use environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene foam as insulation in building projects

Not only is EPS a good insulation, it's lightweight and easy to install. Consider using EPS as sheet insulation for both siding and roofing materials. You can use expanded polystyrene foam as insulation around pipes and in tight places you can't normally reach with traditional insulation. Because you can actually expand polystyrene foam on site, you can inject it into all sorts of hard-to-reach places.

I recommend: You can find all sorts of applications for expanded polystyrene foam insulation at Tiger Foam. PermaTherm also offers a wide range of EPS insulation products.

Work with EPS foam suppliers to create custom EPS products for your application

Whether you're shipping odd-sized products, boxes of multiple products, or just have large boxes that need packaging materials, there are EPS foam providers that can help you ship your goods safely and at a reasonable cost. Because EPS molds are quickly and inexpensively manufactured, you can get a customized EPS packaging system set up in no time.

I recommend: ACH Foam Technologies is a well-known expanded polystyrene manufacturer that works with customers to design just the right packaging materials for their business. Another such manufacturer is Clark Foam.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you ship electronic gear of any sort, you know how important it is to find a product that doesn't carry static electricity. Expanded polystyrene foam is a good material for shipping electronics. Not only is it lightweight, it doesn't conduct static electricity.

Expanded polystyrene foam (also know as EPS) is a product changing with the times. It's no longer a product that goes directly into the landfill when the project is complete because you can recycle it. In fact, according to the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, recycling of the EPS has increased since 1991.

Expanded polystyrene foam is a versatile material used for packaging, insulation and other applications. Understanding expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) basics will help you determine how you can use this product in your business. The world where EPS existed only as packing peanuts is fast disappearing. It's a brave new world, indeed. Consider these options.

1. Use EPS for insulation.

2. Employ expanded polystyrene foam packing material.

3. Explore other EPS foam products.

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

Reply on EPS for insulation

Expanded polystyrene foam creates a very effective insulation material that works well for roofing systems, insulated concrete forms and EFIS (exterior finish systems). Other useful applications include lining the interior of railway cars or walk-in coolers. EPS also creates an effective SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) for roofs, floors or walls. EPS creates an effective barrier and has a very high R-rating.

I recommend: One expanded polystyrene manufacturer of SIP is R-Control, whose products are changing the construction industry. Benchmark Foam and Dyplast EPS Insulation are two EPS foam providers of insulation materials.

Rely on expanded polystyrene foam packing material to ensure your products arrive unbroken

EPS makes a wonderful variety of packing materials that are a benefit to any company. Styro boxes of ESP, as well as forms for shipping things such as CD's, books and other items are some of the packing materials available.

I recommend: There is more than one EPS foam manufacturer that makes expanded polystyrene foam packing material. Among them are Aqua Pack and Agri-Cel.

Check out other EPS foam products from EPS foam suppliers

EPS can be molded into various foam products--another reason why this material is so prized. Architects appreciate EPS, for they can mold it into columns, keystones and cornices. Artists like EPS because from it they can create the Statue of Liberty, towns for movies and everything imaginable. Hot tub makers like EPS because it can be lightweight covers for their hot tubs. In fact, it is hard to imagine an application where you can't use EPS.

I recommend: Michigan Foam Products uses EPS to create architectural details, packaging materials, docks and doors for garages. Foam Sculpture uses EPS to create anything imaginable for the screen, business and organizations. Astrofoam Molding Company manufactures moldings, edge protectors and packing materials.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact the EPS foam supplier and expanded polystyrene manufacturers to inquire after the prices when your company wishes to buy EPS foam. The manufacturers will be willing to provide that information as well as discuss with you more the benefits of EPS.