Limitless fields of application for EPP
The successful development of expanded polypropylene can be well compared with the manufacture of products made from this raw material: Just as fascinating moulded parts are created from the small foam beads, the market penetration of EPP also began on a small scale. It was the outstanding properties of EPP – feather-light weight, impressive insulating abilities and extreme robustness – that led to EPP plastic being primarily used in the automotive and packaging sectors. The more well known the extensive property profile of the innovative material became, the more versatile its fields of application became. It can be produced in many colours and formed individually, which means EPP plastic now also makes the hearts of designers and toy manufacturers beat faster.
Lightweight, durable & …stylish! – the surface structure of EPP
In recent years, a lot has happened in development and research work: In the past, the surface structure of particle foam components made of EPP was characterised by visible bead boundaries as well as imprints created during processing. However, modern manufacturing technologies in toolmaking mean fine, high-quality surface textures can be designed. Vapor-permeable structures can be created through the precision laser structuring of the mould inner surface or via subtractive processes, which also allow visual applications for EPP parts.
