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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Expandable polystyrene production and market survey- A review
ClearA mini-review on expanded polystyrene waste recycling and its applications
This mini-review summarizes recycling technologies and emerging applications for expanded polystyrene waste, examining mechanical, chemical, and dissolution recycling methods and their practical feasibility for diverting EPS from landfill in both developed and developing countries.
Iced block method: An efficient method for preparation of micro-sized expanded polystyrene foams
Researchers developed a new method for producing micro-sized expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam particles in the lab, enabling better-controlled experiments on EPS microplastic toxicity and environmental behavior. EPS foam is widely found in the environment but has been understudied compared to other microplastic types.
Preparation and application of a polyethylene foam packaging material
This review examines the preparation, modification, and application of polyethylene foam as a packaging material, discussing its lightweight, insulating, and shock-absorbing properties alongside the environmental and recycling challenges its widespread use creates. The authors propose approaches to address sustainability concerns while maintaining the performance characteristics that make polyethylene foam central to the modern packaging industry.
Performance Characterization and Evaluation of Innovative Cement Mortars and Concretes Made with Recycled EPS
Not relevant to microplastics — this study evaluates the mechanical strength and thermal insulation performance of cement mortars and concretes that incorporate recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads as aggregate, focused on construction materials.
Polymer Bead Foams: A Review on Foam Preparation, Molding, and Inter-Bead Bonding Mechanism
This review examines the preparation, molding, and inter-bead bonding mechanisms of polymer bead foams, providing a comparative analysis of foam characteristics across distinct polymer types including expanded polypropylene, polyethylene, and polylactic acid. The authors survey traditional molding processes such as steam-chest molding and adhesive-assisted molding alongside emerging techniques like in-mold foaming and microwave sintering, discussing the multi-scale structural features that govern bead foam performance.
Expanded beads of polyethylene moldable at low steam pressure
Researchers developed an expanded polyethylene bead foam that can be molded at very low steam pressures, making it cheaper and more flexible to manufacture than conventional expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam). Unlike polystyrene, polyethylene foam is more readily recyclable and the study explicitly notes this approach avoids contributing to microplastic pollution. This represents a step toward replacing one of the most environmentally persistent foam plastics with a more manageable alternative.
Polymer Bead Foams: A Review on Foam Preparation, Molding, and Interbead Bonding Mechanism
This paper is not directly about microplastics; it provides a comprehensive review of polymer bead foam materials — including preparation, molding techniques, and inter-bead bonding — with applications in packaging, automotive parts, and insulation.
Novel and Accessible Physical Recycling for Expanded Polystyrene Waste with the Use of Acetone as a Solvent and Additive Manufacturing (Direct Ink-Write 3D Printing)
Researchers developed a low-cost method to recycle expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste by dissolving it in acetone and reforming it, offering an accessible alternative to conventional recycling. Keeping polystyrene out of landfills and the environment is relevant to microplastic reduction, since EPS readily breaks down into persistent polystyrene microparticles.
Effect of composite polystyrene granular thermal insulation mortar on thermal energy storage of building energy consumption
Researchers simulated the effect of adding polystyrene granules to building insulation mortar on thermal energy storage and overall building energy use. The composite mortar improved insulation performance, suggesting polystyrene waste materials could be repurposed in construction to reduce building energy consumption.
PET foaming: development of a new class of rheological additives for improved processability
This paper describes development of rheological additives to improve PET foaming for lightweight packaging, as an alternative to hard-to-recycle foamed polystyrene. Replacing polystyrene foam with more recyclable materials is important for reducing ocean microplastic pollution from packaging waste.
Study of waste generation polystyrene based in Misantla, Veracruz from the circular economy
Researchers conducted a preliminary diagnosis of expanded polystyrene waste generation in Misantla, Veracruz, Mexico to assess post-consumer recycling potential under a circular economy framework, highlighting that only 0.1% of the 125,000 tonnes of EPS generated annually in Mexico is currently recycled.
Enhanced Interfacial Adhesion of Polystyrene Bead Foams by Microwave Sintering for Microplastics Reduction
Researchers developed a microwave sintering method to improve the bonding between polystyrene foam beads, reducing the likelihood that the foam breaks apart and releases microplastic particles. Polystyrene foam fragmentation is a significant source of persistent microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
Material Flow Analysis for Expanded Polystyrene Packaging and Greenhouse Gas Reduction by Recycling
Researchers conducted a material flow analysis of expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging in Korea, quantifying EPS sold, discarded, and recycled in 2019, and estimated greenhouse gas emission reductions achievable through recycling using the US EPA WARM model. Approximately 47,000 tons of EPS were sold in 2019, and the study highlighted that inadequately managed EPS decomposes into microplastics that harm human health and ecosystems.
EPS waste management from coastal cleaning actions: identification of contamination sources, collection, treatment, and re-use in cement-based materials
This study developed an integrated approach for managing expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste from coastal cleanup activities, including collection, treatment, and incorporation into cement-based building materials. Reusing EPS waste from beaches reduces the amount of plastic that breaks down into microplastics in marine environments.
Characteristics of Styrofoam Waste-based Membrane Through Vapor and Liquid-induced Phase Inversion Process
Researchers prepared polymeric membranes from recycled Styrofoam waste using a phase-inversion technique with either immersion or evaporation solidification, finding that the solidification method significantly influenced hydrophobicity, pore configuration, porosity, and thermal stability of the resulting membranes.
Studi Eksperimental Penggunaan Butiran Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) sebagai Pengganti Pasir pada Campuran Bata Beton
Researchers experimentally evaluated the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) granules as a partial sand replacement in concrete brick mixtures, measuring density and stress-strain characteristics of the resulting composite material. They found that increasing EPS content reduced material density and altered mechanical strength properties, offering potential for producing lighter, more eco-friendly building blocks from EPS waste.
Preparation of polystyrene microplastic particles by solvent-dissolution-precipitation
Researchers developed a controlled laboratory method to produce polystyrene microplastic particles in specific sizes ranging from 0.35 to 52 microns by dissolving and re-precipitating polystyrene in solvents, creating reference materials that closely mimic environmental microplastics. These standardized particles are essential for calibrating detection methods and conducting reliable toxicology research on microplastic health effects.
Reconstructing the Environmental Degradation of Polystyrene by Accelerated Weathering
Researchers conducted long-term accelerated weathering experiments on polystyrene and characterized changes in surface chemistry, morphology, and particle size distribution over time, providing empirical data on fragmentation kinetics and chemical transformation needed to model environmental residence times.
Preparation of Polystyrene Nanoparticles with Environmental Relevance Using a Gradual Degradation Method.
Researchers prepared polystyrene nanoparticles of environmental relevance using a gradual degradation method that simulates natural weathering conditions, finding that nanofragment size evolved dynamically from below 250 nm at 3 days to 300-500 nm at 6 days before forming two sub-200 nm peaks at 9 days.
Upcycling Polystyrene
This review surveys promising approaches for upcycling polystyrene waste, covering both mechanical and thermochemical recycling routes developed over the past five years. Researchers found that no single technology is fully effective on its own, but hybrid approaches combining multiple methods show the highest potential for creating a circular economy for polystyrene. The study also explores connections to emerging technologies including 3D printing, vertical farming, and green hydrogen production.
Polystyrene as Hazardous Household Waste
This chapter reviews the hazards associated with polystyrene — a petroleum-based plastic used in packaging and household products — highlighting its persistence, the toxic additives it contains, and its potential to fragment into microplastics. The authors discuss regulatory history and make the case for treating polystyrene foam as a hazardous household waste.
Fabrication of porous ceramic buoys (Ⅰ): preparation of porous ceramic beads for buoy manufacturing
Researchers fabricated porous ceramic buoys using soda-lime glass waste as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional expanded polystyrene buoys, which are a major source of marine microplastics, finding that optimized foaming conditions produced lightweight beads with a bulk density of approximately 0.2 g cm-3 suitable for buoy assembly.
Review of ecotoxicological studies of widely used polystyrene nanoparticles
Researchers reviewed ecotoxicological studies on manufactured polystyrene nanoparticles and their effects on aquatic organisms. They found that many studies used insufficiently characterized particles and short-term exposure conditions that may not reflect real environmental scenarios. The review recommends improved particle characterization, proper purification before testing, and longer-term exposure studies to generate more environmentally relevant toxicity data.
Review on Identification, Recycling and Degradation of Polystyrene
This review systematically examines polystyrene identification methods, recycling strategies, and degradation processes, covering analytical techniques including FTIR, GC-MS, and DSC for material identification. The review highlights that polystyrene degrades extremely slowly (10-1000 years depending on type) and surveys commonly used recycling methods to address the persistence of this widely used plastic in the environment.