EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) or “Geofoam” is gaining popularity as a widely acceptable and cost efficient construction insulation material. It is commonly used for structural fill material, elevated slab applications, road construction and much more. Geofoam is extremely light weight and can withstand harsh conditions. Since Geofoam (Expanded Polystyrene) was introduced in the 1950s, it has been used in thousands upon thousands of various construction projects worldwide. EPS Geofoam has proven to be the material of choice to use in landfills, stabilizing slopes, bridge embankments, etc.
EPS Geofoam is different from the commonly known “Styrofoam” in several ways. While EPS Geofoam will mimic the physical characteristics of Extruded Polystyrene, or Styrofoam, one of the biggest differences between the two foam construction materials is the way EPS Geofoam is manufactured vs that of its “cousin”, XPS or Styrofoam.
EPS Geofoam is made from a material called polystyrene polymer. This polystyrene resin “bead” is delivered in large containers and fed into a hopper for manufacturing. It is essentially a thermoplastic that can be shaped and reshaped repeatedly. The Geofoam material is 100% recyclable and can be made using post consumed recycled content. Essentially, one can reheat it and reform it as many times as you’d like. Through a process called polymerization, polystyrene is created by applying heat and pressure within a mold. Depending on how much heat and pressure are added to the bead within the mold, different densities of Expanded Polystyrene or Geofoam can be produced.
EPS Geofoam is different from the commonly known “Styrofoam” in several ways. While EPS Geofoam will mimic the physical characteristics of Extruded Polystyrene, or Styrofoam, one of the biggest differences between the two foam construction materials is the way EPS Geofoam is manufactured vs that of its “cousin”, XPS or Styrofoam.
Resin Bead Expansion
The expansion of the polystyrene beads does not happen all at once. The resin beads are expanded into something called the pre-puffs before they are fed into the designated mold for final expansion.
Recycled Material
Expanded Polystyrene Geofoam can be composed of as much as 50% Recycled Material. In addition, the Geofoam blocks themselves are 100% recyclable.
Molding
This is the final step in the manufacturing process. It turns the pre-puffs into the widely recognizable EPS Geofoam blocks that we see. The process is simple to understand.
After this, the block is ejected from the mold, trimmed, labeled (if required), and shipped to jobsites all around the world.
If you have any further questions about the EPS Geofoam manufacturing process, please contact us for more information.
