High Impact Polystyrene Has Several Benefits In Terms Of Transport And Usage
HIPS stands for High Impact Polystyrene. It is one of the most produced polymers worldwide after:
- Polyethylene
- Polyvinyl
- Chloride
- Polypropylene
High Impact Polystyrene comes from General Purpose Polystyrene known in short as GPPS, which is glasslike in texture. Once processed with rubber, HIPS is the result.
Features of High Impact Polystyrene
It is glossy and is an easy to process plastic that is also sturdy and durable. It is furthermore also a rather flexible product that can be used for a diverse range of applications because it can resist high impact. The product is hygienic and visually attractive.
What Are The Uses?
The polystyrene is widely used in the food packaging industry because of its unique qualities of strength, hygiene, visual appearance, and ability to retain heat, while also not deforming because of general warm water application. Yogurt holders, plastic cutlery and salad bowls are amongst the products made from high impact polystyrene. It is also used in other industries for packaging such as CD cases, refrigerator linings as well as in the medical industry as trays. Apart from High Impact Polystyrene various other polystyrenes as mentioned are manufactured and used for packaging.
Polystyrene Benefits
HIPS and other polystyrene products are well-suited for food packaging and widely used in the fast food industry. It is cost effective to produce, can be recycled and therefore minimizes the effect on the environment. Many jobs are created through the recycling of the product.
The Product Can Be Transported Safely
Polystyrene is lightweight and therefore costs less to transport. It is also easy to pack and store. It provides superb insulation and retains heat well. It is also less expensive than most other food packaging material. Because it is cheaper as packaging material than other types, it also ensures lower costs to the consumer and more profits to the retailer.
Sanitation Qualities
Polystyrene has excellent hygiene qualities and is therefore often used for food products. The impact on the environment is less than that of paperboard based products. The product retains shape and therefore can keep food and beverages warm without losing shape after a few hours.
Versatile Packaging Material
HIPS is also excellent as electrical insulation and is shatterproof. This makes it a safe material for packaging of products. The product can be printed on, coloured and painted. Transparent casings can be produced with ease. It is reinforced and is safe not only to transport, but to handle in-store and for storage. Polystyrene can withstand humidity whereas cardboard cannot. Where glass can easily break and is thus a difficult and unsafe product to transport, store and use, especially where senior citizens, patients or children are involved, polystyrene is just the opposite.
Studies have furthermore shown that polystyrene packaging of food is more hygienic than when plates and food cutlery are washed and dried for using again. Considering the uses and benefits of High Impact Polystyrene, one must agree that is a product worth producing and recycling.
