Polystyrene (PS) — GPPS, HIPS & Recycled PS

Crystal-clear GPPS, tough rubber-modified HIPS and recycled PS streams on request — matched to your thermoforming or injection process, with datasheets up front.

What we supply

GPPS granules — general purpose (crystal) polystyrene, prized for clarity and stiffness at a lower density than PET or PVC. We quote thermoforming grades with the melt strength for sheet extrusion, and higher-MFI injection grades for fast-cycling parts like cutlery, tubs and stationery.

HIPS granules — high impact polystyrene, rubber-modified for toughness where crystal PS would crack. HIPS is the workhorse of dairy packaging: yoghurt pots, dessert cups and multipack sheet on form-fill-seal and thermoforming lines. Injection grades cover appliance housings and returnable trays, while extruded HIPS sheet is thermoformed into parts like refrigerator liners.

Many converters blend GPPS and HIPS on the line to tune impact strength against clarity, stiffness and cost. We can supply both sides of the blend from one truck and advise on ratios for your part.

Recycled PS — on request we source rPS regranulate and EPS regrind from European recyclers. Supply is more limited than rPET or rPE, so we quote these streams case by case against your spec.

Every offer comes with the technical datasheet. Certificates of analysis and pre-shipment samples are available on request, so your lab can approve the material before the first truck leaves.

StreamFormTypical use
GPPS thermoforming
low MFI, high melt strength
PelletsClear sheet, cups, lids
GPPS injection
higher MFI
PelletsCutlery, tubs, stationery
HIPS thermoformingPelletsYoghurt pots, dairy sheet, fridge liners, FFS
HIPS injectionPelletsAppliance housings, returnable trays
rPS
on request
RegranulateNon-food sheet, technical parts
EPS regrind
on request
RegrindXPS, insulation, densified feed

Packaging & logistics

Big bags, octabins or 25 kg bags on pallets. Full truck loads of approx. 22–24 t arranged to any EU destination — EXW, FCA or DAP as you prefer.

Applications

Where our PS ends up

Dairy & food packaging

Yoghurt pots, dessert cups, FFS lines

Thermoformed cups & trays

Clear GPPS sheet, vending cups, lids

Appliances & housings

Fridge liners, casings, injection parts

Technical & XPS

Extruded boards, profiles, EPS regrind feed

Recycled PS, honestly

PS recycling is catching up — we track the streams

Polystyrene recycling has lagged PET and polyolefins, but that is changing: European sorting of PS packaging is improving and dissolution and depolymerisation projects are scaling. We stay close to the recyclers, so when rPS regranulate or EPS regrind matches your spec, we can source it. We supply material from audited European recyclers; certificates from schemes such as GRS and EuCertPlast are available from our partners.

  • rPS regranulate for non-food sheet and technical parts
  • EPS regrind and densified feed, quoted case by case
  • Straight answers on availability — no overpromising
  • Guidance on virgin/recycled blending for your line
FAQ

Polystyrene — common questions

What is the difference between GPPS and HIPS?

GPPS (crystal polystyrene) is transparent and stiff but brittle; HIPS is rubber-modified, opaque and much tougher. Many converters blend the two on the extruder to tune impact strength against clarity and cost. Tell us the part and we'll point you to the right grade or blend ratio.

Which grade should I run on a yoghurt pot FFS line?

Form-fill-seal lines for dairy typically run a HIPS thermoforming grade, often blended with GPPS to balance stiffness, denesting and cut quality. Sheet extrusion feeding thermoformers uses similar grades. Send us your current datasheet and we'll quote a matching material.

Is polystyrene approved for food contact?

Virgin GPPS and HIPS are widely used in food packaging — dairy pots, cups, trays and cutlery. Food-contact suitability depends on the specific grade and its documentation, so state the food-contact requirement in your enquiry and we'll supply the declarations with the offer.

Can you supply recycled polystyrene (rPS)?

Yes, on request — but honestly, rPS supply in Europe is more limited than rPET or rPE, and food-grade recycled PS is still rare. We quote rPS regranulate and EPS regrind case by case from the streams available at the time. Tell us your spec and tolerance for colour and MFI variation.

What is the minimum order quantity, and can I get samples?

We typically trade full truck loads of about 22–24 tonnes, but smaller lots are possible for some materials. Every offer includes the technical datasheet, and samples and certificates of analysis are available on request before you commit.

Need GPPS or HIPS? Get a quote in 24 hours

Tell us the grade or MFI, the application, the volume and your delivery location — we'll respond within one working day.