EPS contributes to a more sustainable and resource efficient world.
EPS helps saving millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Studies have shown that the insulation capacity of EPS exceeds that of competing products. This efficiency results from its main ingredient: Air! Its structure contains 98% of it. Consequently, EPS consumes little raw material during its production process. With minimal input, EPS provides maximum comfort in your home.
Studies have shown that the insulation capacity of EPS exceeds that of competing products. This efficiency results from its main ingredient: Air! Its structure contains 98% of it.
“The best measure of the sustainability of any product is its total life-cycle impact, including its carbon footprint.”
Because expanded polystyrene, or EPS, is composed of 98% air, it has an excellent sustainability profile. It uses resources such as water and raw materials – 2% polystyrene from fossil sources or from recycled EPS – efficiently in production. It is lighter than almost any alternative packaging material with similar thermal insulation and shock absorption properties during transportation. Ultimately, the sustainability of packaging materials is to a large extent determined by how well they protect the contents inside: Every product which gets broken or goes bad is waste.
Because it is so lightweight, EPS packaging reduces the carbon footprint of everything that it protects during transportation, from fresh fish and produce to refrigerators. A 2011 life-cycle analysis by PricewaterhouseCoopers* found that use of EPS packaging results in less greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and waste than cardboard, with three times less water consumption.
EPS is easy to process, has a lifespan as long as the insulated building itself, retains its insulation performance in the long term, is extremely eco-efficient, and—because of its low cost and high availability—provides a fast and socially viable way to implement numerous insulation projects. Nevertheless, just as much attention should be given to the aspects of safety, aesthetics, dismantling, and recycling as to the energy savings that can be achieved. The EUMEPS wants to make a significant contribution to this by providing information, disseminating best practices, and sponsoring projects. In doing so, the first priority is to address the much-discussed fire safety of EPS insulation materials.