Plastics are such a hot topic in the media recently, but it’s important to remember that it’s plastic waste, not plastics per se, that causes environmental problems.
Plastics in and of themselves are lightweight (and therefore can be transported more sustainably than heavier alternatives) and, in fact, more recyclable than ever before – but one material leads the way in terms of what it can deliver and at a low cost to both business and the environment.
HIPS: A ‘Hero’ Plastic
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a tough, economical and supremely versatile ‘hero’ plastic in terms of its performance across multiple applications. A modified form of polystyrene, HIPS enjoys high impact resistance, resulting in a super-stiff, durable, shrink- and warp-resistant material that’s ideal for packaging applications across numerous sectors including food and drink, medical, cosmetics, consumer, I.T. and horticultural goods as well as industrial packaging.
In the food sector, where strength, hygiene and heat resistance all come at a premium, HIPS is available in FDA-approved and food use grades. Its inherent moisture barrier characteristics make HIPS eminently suitable for products with shorter shelf lives – from bakery trays through to coffee cup lids. At the same time, its high-performance environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) means it’s also an obvious choice for the packaging of fatty foods. Its printability factor (HIPS is compatible with screen printing, flexography and offset lithography among others) and ease of customization also means that custom colour matching, embossing, laminating, and a whole range of gloss / matte surface options feature among the huge array of possibilities.
Perhaps best of all, HIPS is 100% recyclable – in fact, HIPS recycling has now become a significant employer in its own right, while its lightweight properties also make it a more sustainable choice of material in terms of transport and resulting emissions.
Euro Extrusions is a major force in the supply of thermoplastic sheet and film, with a wealth of extrusion knowledge and market experience. Manufacturing a comprehensive range of extruded thermoplastic sheet and film for thermoforming, fabrication, printing and vacuum forming (resulting in space-saving nested packaging and containers), our HIPS raw material is also FDA-approved for use in the food and catering industries. We’re able to convert our customers’ own virgin and recycled materials into roll or sheet, operating two dedicated HIPs production lines. Our plastic extrusion lines are all major brand names, from Wellex and Summit Systems through to NRM Bridge.
