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Plastics properties, Plastics application

Learn more about EPS products for the automotive industry

12 August 2020

In the automotive industry it is important to adapt very quickly to prevailing market trends. The supply chain cannot function without the right partners to provide us with the right solutions. Since EPS is used on a large scale in the automotive industry, let us try to take a better look at the possibilities it opens up for our products.

How is styrofoam EPS used in the automotive industry?

Styrofoam – expanded polystyrene is a plastic material which is characterized by very unique properties. It is used in many industrial sectors, from construction to the food industry. Styrofoam moldings are ultralight. We can design them in a very flexible way, they are highly absorbent to provide excellent acoustic and thermal insulation. Therefore, whether it is styrofoam molding for packaging or technical parts – the material will always be ready to function in various conditions.

See also our offer of: Returnable transport packaging

If we associate it with cheap, impermanent solutions, we should rethink our approach immediately. It is successfully used when erecting new buildings or securing household appliances. Its durability is also appreciated in the automotive industry, where it is used for car interiors. However, it does not stop there. One of the important issues is also the fact that EPS is suitable for recycling. Plastic materials are unlikely to be associated with building a socially responsible business. This time, however, it is different – Styrofoam is a material that can be reused. When using it, we do not excessively strain the environment. Recycling styrofoam is also quite common and there are no problems with transforming it into other, well functional products. After specifying the meaning of Styrofoam EPS and its properties, we can move on to other, more specific issues. Technical parts molded from EPS must be very complex often, and a number of innovative solutions must be applied in order to reproduce them. In this case, this material definitely wins – we can form it freely in a short time. It satisfies demanding requirements in terms of the usability of a given material which, after all, should complement the car design.

See also our offer of: EPP and EPS car components

What is the difference between EPS and EPP?

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an extremely efficient material in its simplicity.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an extremely efficient material in its simplicity.

We can also come across the term "polystyrene foam" – this is not a separate material, but simply another name for Styrofoam – EPS. It differs from polypropylene foam (EPP) in its properties. Polypropylene foam is also used in technical solutions. This material is light, resistant and not susceptible to deformation. At the same time it is characterized by better resistance to external factors, including chemical ones, than in the case of EPS. To better understand these differences, we need to think about how  EPS & EPP are made by heating polystyrene or polypropylene granules. Inside EPS there is a small amount of a foaming agent. It is a mixture of gases n-pentane and iso-pentane. Such an agent is not found in polypropylene foam, which makes it better suited to food contact, for example. Knauf Industries Automotive is a manufacturer who deals with both EPS and EPP. By combining the use of these two materials, we achieve by far the best results, and we always seek expertise on the best approach before production begins.

Knauf Industries – the best solutions. Why opt for individuality?

The automotive market in Poland and Europe is a great industry in which there are many players competing with each other in a principled manner – with quality of service, speed of adaptation and product specification. At Knauf Industries we have a good understanding of how this sector works. We focus on an individual approach to every customer, and we want to meet your expectations in the best possible way. For this purpose we have developed several methods of cooperation. First of all, we are always ready to answer strategic questions and help choose appropriate solutions to adapt the supply chain to your needs. We are committed to a fully-fledged partnership that will focus on added value for our customers. 

See also: Supply chain and injection molding cost savings ideas 

We have ready-made technologies and solutions, which have been modernized and adapted to the present reality over the years. When it comes to the delivery of polystyrene particle foam solution, we guarantee successful implementation, excellent infrastructure and expert support. Our experience allows us to grow enormously in the automobile part manufacturing sector.

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