BASF (Ludwigshafen / Germany; www.basf.com) has expanded its EPS portfolio for the packaging industry with its new "Styropor P 24 Speed" grade. The company says products of the Styropor P 24 Speed ​​series are characterised by a lower pentane content (4.8%), which reduces moulding cycle and intermediate storage times. "Styropor P 324 Speed", with a density of 25 g/l yields up to 50% shorter moulding cycle times compared to "Styropor P 326" at an average moulding steam pressure.

As with the conventional "Styropor P 26", the new Styropor grade is approved for food packaging, and the company says it has high mechanical resistance and excellent compressive strength. It also has good fusion properties and a smooth surface finish. Styropor P 24 Speed does not require flame retardant and is suitable for manufacturing thin-walled technical mouldings, as well as for food packaging and cool boxes. The material is available in three bead sizes between 0.4 and 1.3 mm.