Styrofoam packaging remains permitted. This was emphasised by the Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (IK) in a statement. It refers to what it considers to be a misleading statement by the EU Commission on the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive from 22 May 2019.
Packaging from expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is sold under the brand names Styrofoam or Airpop are only permitted in the form of disposable packaging for mobile food consumption, emphasises the IK is emphasised. All other EPS packaging is expressly not affected by this EU directive, writes the IK.
EPS is an important packaging material for sensitive products
So-called To-go packaging are just one of many possible applications for EPS. EPS is also used primarily for packaging Electrical appliances and white goods as well as for other packaging. It is also particularly suitable for Transport container for sensitive medical or pharmaceutical products that need to be cooled or kept warm efficiently. But also in Food sector EPS packaging is used to protect temperature-sensitive foods such as fresh fish, fresh meat or sensitive fruit and vegetables in appropriate trays.
Since EPS is a Monomaterial be - it consists exclusively of Polystyrene -it shows particularly good Recycling properties on. In Germany, the recycling rate is almost 50 per cent. In Germany, there is also a dense network of collection points for EPS in order to recycle the material. Only 20 per cent of all EPS packaging is collected in the yellow bag.
98 per cent of Airpop packaging is air
The IK also describes the product property of EPS as particularly favourable in that it consists of only two percent polystyrene, while the rest is air. It is therefore particularly efficient with the resource Crude oil handled. EPS as a packaging material offers stability, high pressure resistance and is also waterproof, shock-resistant and thermally insulating.
The production of EPS would require fewer raw materials, chemicals and water than other materials. Packaging materials. For example, a third less water is used in the production of polystyrene than in the manufacture of laminated cardboard, explains the IK.
[infotext icon]You can find more information about Airpop/Styropor on the website http://www.airpop.de.
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