EPS IN THERMAL INSULATION
The standard is defined as “TS 7316 EN 13163 Thermal Insulation Products – For Buildings – Factory-Made Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam – Specifications.” A key aspect of this standard is that it prevents the use of products with a density lower than 15 kg/m³ for thermal insulation purposes in buildings.
The first three stages of producing EPS thermal insulation boards (pre-expansion, aging, and molding) are similar to those in other applications. However, for thermal insulation boards, large blocks are produced during the molding stage, and the boards are then cut from these blocks using hot wire or similar methods.
In this way, the adhesion capability of the surfaces to mortar is improved. In external insulation applications, known as "mantolama," where EPS boards are applied to walls with a thin layer of plaster, the boards must be allowed to rest for a certain period (3–5 weeks, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations) before installation. In all other application methods, no waiting period is required.
Various materials can be laminated onto the surfaces of EPS boards to produce composite elements suitable for different application conditions. In addition to being used for thermal and acoustic insulation in buildings, EPS products are also utilized for various purposes in specialized engineering structures and non-construction sectors, with their areas of application continuously expanding.
The main reasons for preferring EPS are; in addition to having superior technical properties, its characteristics can be modified in the desired direction depending on density, its cost is low thanks to ideal production technology, it can maintain its performance without deterioration throughout its service life, and it is an environmentally friendly material. EPS Products provide the desired performance without causing material waste and therefore with the most economical solution: EPS insulation boards; provide high thermal insulation. As density increases, thermal conductivity decreases.
The thermal conductivity of EPS is not only low but also stable; it does not change over time or depend on the blowing agent. It is resistant to compression, and its compressive strength increases with density. It is not brittle and has high flexural strength as a thermal insulation material. Due to its closed-cell structure, it is practically waterproof and provides continuous insulation. It has no capillary water permeability and is non-hygroscopic. Its vapor permeability can be adjusted to the desired levels, and as density increases, vapor resistance also increases. Its thickness remains stable over time and does not decrease. It is very lightweight, easy to transport, and easy to apply. EPS is an economical insulation material that delivers the same thermal performance at a lower cost. It is also environmentally friendly, as it contains no ozone-depleting CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) or their derivatives (HCFCs). It does not contribute to climate change.
It is a recyclable material that produces no environmentally harmful waste after production. It has an infinite lifespan — as long as the building stands, it continues to provide insulation with the same performance as on the first day. EPS can be produced in a wide range of densities, offering various application options. This flexibility allows the selection of the most suitable product for each purpose, preventing resource waste.
Thermal insulation in buildings conserves energy, reduces gas, soot, and dust emissions, and helps prevent environmental pollution. The temperatures of walls, thermal bridges, floors, and ceilings significantly affect not only indoor comfort but also the building envelope. Adequate insulation contributes to quality of life and helps preserve the building structure. A healthy and comfortable living environment is only possible in spaces with proper temperature and humidity conditions. When a cost-benefit analysis is made, thermal insulation proves to be both an ecological and economic investment that pays for itself in a short time.
With proper insulation—using the right materials, details, and workmanship—it is possible to achieve comfortable indoor spaces and save at least half of annual heating and/or cooling costs. Thermal insulation is beneficial not only for reducing energy consumption for heating but also for lowering cooling energy use. In many cases, damage to paint, mold growth, or even condensation on interior surfaces is often mistaken for water leakage from outside. However, these issues are actually caused by the lack of insulation, which leads to lower surface temperatures and condensation of indoor humidity on those surfaces. Proper thermal insulation effectively prevents and eliminates these problems.
In addition, the most effective way to prevent corrosion of concrete and steel—crucial for maintaining the structural safety of a building—is to apply continuous external thermal insulation. By doing so, the concrete and steel are protected from adverse atmospheric conditions (such as precipitation and temperature fluctuations), thereby extending the building’s service life safely. This also prevents the formation of thermal bridges.
As a result of thermal insulation, heating and cooling systems can be selected with lower capacities and require less costly equipment, providing additional financial savings on top of the annual fuel cost reductions.
EPS IN PACKAGING
The use of EPS as a packaging material is extremely widespread. It is produced by injection molding in densities ranging from 20 to 100 kg/m³, in the desired sizes and shapes. These special aluminum molds are individually designed for each product. The EPS that comes out of the mold becomes a ready-to-use packaging material. Ensuring that any product reaches the consumer undamaged after production is a matter of utmost importance. No matter how high the quality of production is, if the product fails to retain its original characteristics by the time it reaches the consumer, all efforts are wasted.
EPS ambalaj ürünü nakliyat esnasında her türlü tehlikeden korur. EPS, teknik özellikleri yüksek bir malzemedir, rutubetten, sudan, UV ışınlarından veya şıkışmadan etkilenmez, bozulmaz, mekanik ve teknik performans özelliklerini zamanla yitirmez, üretim sırasında düşük yoğunluklu enerji gerektirdiğinden ve geri dönüşümü olduğundan çevre dostu bir malzemedir.
EPS is harmless to health both during production and use. It complies with food regulations. For some products, maintaining temperature is essential to preserve their qualities until they reach the consumer, and EPS provides excellent insulation for this purpose. It does not negatively affect the taste or odor of the contents. Since EPS is not a nutrient source for microorganisms, it does not harbor bacteria, and due to its closed-cell structure, it is waterproof.
For this reason, airlines prefer to transport fish in EPS boxes. In addition to their superior properties, EPS products are also environmentally friendly.
Some of the areas where EPS is used in packaging include:
White goods and electronic devices (refrigerators, televisions, etc.)
Glassware and decorative items (dinner sets, glass sets, souvenirs, etc.)
Food products (fruit and vegetable crates, fish boxes, ice cream boxes, etc.)
Pharmaceutical industry (vaccines, cold chain, etc.)
Furniture industry — used as a support and packaging material
Plumbing products (faucets, fixtures, shower hoses, toilet seats, etc.)
Fish and seafood products (fish boxes, mussel, oyster, squid, and shrimp boxes, etc.)
Meat and Meat Products (Meat, chicken, sausage, salami, etc.)
Toy Industry
Dairy Products (Milk, yogurt, cheese containers)
Tourism Sector (Thermos, cool box, ice box, etc.)
Floriculture Sector (Pot base, container, seedling growing containers)
Maritime (Life jacket, pontoon, etc.)
EPS IN OTHER APPLICATIONS
EPS products are used for thermal insulation in buildings and for sound insulation after special treatment, as well as being used for various purposes in some special engineering structures and in some non-construction sectors, and their usage areas are constantly developing.
EPS Ürünlerin Yalıtım Amaçlı Kullanım Alanları
- In thermal insulation of building walls (In cladding)
- Under exterior facade cladding (siding) applications
- In thermal insulation of building floors
- In thermal insulation of building ceilings
- In thermal insulation of building projections
- In impact sound insulation in floating floors of buildings
- In creating multi-layered elements for airborne sound insulation in buildings (after special treatment)
- In thermal insulation of cold storage facilities
- In thermal insulation of pipes
- In thermal insulation of poultry houses
Other Purpose Usage Areas of EPS Products
- In expansion joints
- In the production of lightweight building blocks (lightweight brick, briquette, etc.)
- In suspended ceiling construction
- In thermal insulation of shutter boxes
- In the production of lightweight concrete and insulation plaster from EPS granules
- As filling material in door production
- In the production of prefabricated lightweight concrete elements
- In tank and warehouse insulation
- In the production of life jackets and life buoys for ships
- In windsurfing production
- In the construction of small marine vessels
- In decoration works
- In all packaging industry
In Special Engineering Structures
- In the construction of pontoons (floating marinas)
- In the construction of highways in cold regions
- For improving ground strength by using fill material in loose soil areas
- In expansion joints on bridges
