Today’s blog is taking us back to Foam 101, to answer a question we hear a lot: is polyethylene (PE) foam made out of plastic? Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Why does it matter?" Well, my curious friends - understanding the composition of foam materials can help us make informed choices when it comes to material selection, sustainability efforts and packaging processes.
So, without further ado, let’s explore what polyethylene (PE) foam is made out of and how it’s used.
Is Polyethylene (PE) Foam Plastic?
Like most packaging foam, polyethylene foam is made from plastic. However, a common misconception is that foam is the same as a solid piece of plastic.
Polyethylene foam is made from polyethylene plastic, which is formed into pellets and put through a blowing agent until it expands. So while polyethylene plastic is the base, the foam produced from it is not the same density, weight or rigidity.
How is Polyethylene Foam Used in Packaging?
Polyethylene foam is the most common type of foam used in packaging, for a few key reasons:
- Low cost
- Fast and Easy to fabricate and bond
- Chemical resistant
- Water resistant
- Can be heat bonded
- Wide variety of densities and color
One of the key reasons why we recommend PE foam is because it’s plastic base - it’s highly recyclable and can be used multiple times without losing quality. Much of the polyethylene foam used in packaging is comprised of materials that have already been recycled at least once.
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