General purpose polystyrene (GPPS)

Polystyrene is a polymerization product of styrene (vinyl benzene), thermoplastic polymer of linear structure. It is widely used due to its good physical and mechanical properties, environmental safety, chemical inertness to many substances, moisture-, electricity- and frost-resistance.

It is produced in the form of transparent cylindrical granules, which are processed into finished products by way of injection molding or extrusion at 190-230°C. Polystyrene (PS) and PS-based plastics are extensively used due to its low cost, ease of processing and a wide range of grades.

High-impact polystyrenes, i.e. styrene copolymers with butadiene and styrene-butadiene rubber, are used most widely (more than 60% in the production of polystyrene plastics). There are also lots of other modifications of styrene copolymers.

Polystyrenes are used in the production of various household products (disposable tableware, packaging, toys, etc.) and construction industry (insulation boards, left-in-place formwork, sandwich panels). Finishing and decorative materials: ceiling moldings, ceiling tiles, sound-absorbing polystyrene elements, adhesive bases, and polymer concentrates; medical equipment: parts of blood transfusion systems, auxiliary disposable tools.

Polystyrene is used to produce thin films (up to 100 μm or up to 20 μm when mixed with SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) copolymers). These films are successfully used in the packaging and confectionery industries and in the production of capacitors.

High-impact polystyrene and its modifications are widely used in the area of household appliances and electronics (body parts of household appliances).

Polystyrene is processed using all main polymers and plastics processing methods - extrusion, injection molding, and thermoforming.