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If you own a business that deals in the production of food and perishable goods, then you’ll know that customers expect freshness and a standard of good quality that does not diminish prematurely.

Perhaps you offer a meal subscription box or you’re an independent food or drink retailer selling produce directly to consumers. Either way, it’s a highly competitive industry and those who receive less than satisfactory goods are quick to criticise and take their money elsewhere.

Transportation is a particular challenge, which is why polystyrene is the perfect solution for food packaging.

Food packaging that ticks all the boxes

Polystyrene is a highly durable yet lightweight packing material – which means that it’s a great choice for producers and retailers who don’t want bulky, not fit-for-purpose packing materials that seem to do nothing but add to their overheads.   

Still, cost is not the only reason why polystyrene is the go-to solution for food businesses.

Where goods need to be kept at a stable temperature, the insulating properties of polystyrene food packaging make it an obvious winner. It acts as a barrier for the food and effectively ‘locks in’ the desired levels of heat or cold inside a package.

In the case of food items which need to be kept chilled and at a stable temperature to prevent spoiling, it means that food will arrive fresh, ready to be unboxed and enjoyed.

Create a good impression

No matter what the weather – if it’s snowing heavily or blisteringly hot – polystyrene packaging ensures a stable temperature inside a package. This makes it as effective for use in the transit of food as it is in the safe delivery of medicines (and indeed for any products in which stability in temperature is crucial).   

Because polystyrene does not absorb moisture, there is no danger of food products getting ruined by water in transit.

All of the above benefits mean that when the package finally arrives, food will be as perfect as the day it was dispatched for delivery. This creates a good brand impression with customers – who are then likely to return time and time again and recommend your products to friends and family.

Discuss quality polystyrene packaging with the experts

If you would like to talk to us about bespoke polystyrene packaging solutions for a food business, or if you’re unsure about the options available, contact the Vertapak team on 01384 457730.

Sending electrical items in the post can be a real challenge. Making sure goods arrive safely and in pristine condition is essential if you want to keep customers happy and maintain a company’s reputation for great service. What’s more, no courier can completely guarantee the contents within a parcel will arrive intact – it’s the job of the sender to try and minimise the potential for damage.

So, just what makes polystyrene protective packaging the solution of choice for businesses who want to transport potentially fragile and costly items?

Polystyrene protective packaging is versatile

Before transporting any item, you should first check that you are able to send it through the post. Assuming that your electrical goods can indeed be shipped, the next step is to think carefully about packaging.

If using a larger outer container to transport electrical items, individual parts within it must not be allowed to move and bump into each other. For this reason, firm polystyrene surrounds can be used to keep items suspended and locked into position – without fear of loose parts moving around and breaking in transit.

Providing additional cushioning against possible impact while being moved around is also a wise choice. Bubble wrap or polystyrene chips can be used to absorb the inevitable shocks and knocks that otherwise could result in your parcel arriving in a less than satisfactory state.

Of course plastic pollution is a big problem today so polystyrene is a great cost-effective alternative that is also recyclable.

Because expanded polystyrene is sterile, unpolluted and made up of 98% air it can be recycled after use very easily due to no harmful chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) gases contained.

Protect electrical goods – whatever the weather

The problem with inferior packaging is that certain materials can take on moisture.

Newspaper and shredded paper simply does not offer the same cushioning effect as polystyrene chips or beads. That’s not the only issue.

Paper can become sodden in poor weather and can therefore seriously compromise the contents of a parcel. When electrical goods are involved, this could lead to serious faults and many unhappy customers. 

Polystyrene does not absorb moisture, making it perfect for packaging come rain or shine. It also insulates the contents of a box, keeping the temperature inside a parcel stable and not prone to fluctuation.

Delicate electrical items do not respond well to extreme hot or cold, so the right packaging solution can offer real peace-of-mind, whatever the weather.

Talk to us about polystyrene protective packaging options

If you would like to talk to us about bespoke polystyrene packaging solutions for an electrical or retail business, contact Vertapak on 01384 457730.

Come rain or shine, when you send a package you’ll want to be reassured that it arrives with its intended recipient safely and in a good condition. However, there’s no doubt that wintry weather can be a challenge. Using polystyrene packaging can help to protect the contents of your parcel against cold, snow and frost.

Beat the cold

Products exposed to extreme cold and water can become damaged in transit.

Electrical goods may become faulty if exposed to harsh environmental conditions. What’s more, when it comes to perishable items, it may be imperative to maintain a stable temperature in order to prevent spoiling. Chemicals may similarly need to be kept within a certain temperature range.  

For this reason, polystyrene is a widely used, popular and versatile material in packaging. Why? Water-resistant polystyrene is an effective insulator, creating a barrier which cuts down the transfer of heat.

Insulation is the best way to keep temperatures of goods and products inside a package at a constant level, and not affected by fluctuating weather outside.

And because it does not absorb moisture (unlike other packing materials), polystyrene is the best choice for transporting electrical goods in the event of a cold snap.   

Polystyrene is lightweight and yet durable so you know it’s reliable and it won’t add huge costs to transportation tariffs.

How to package a parcel in winter

It’s always a good idea to fill in any gaps to prevent goods from sliding about inside a parcel – and lightweight polystyrene foam is an ideal solution. When packaging fragile electrical items, rigid foam can keep components suspended and cushioned – providing an extra layer of protection against bumps and knocks.  

Make sure any outer packaging is free from tears or rips and invest in heavy duty tape to keep it fully sealed and watertight. Meanwhile, addresses should be placed inside a waterproof plastic wallet to remain legible in even the harshest of conditions.  

Protection all year round

To ensure goods arrive in the best state and to protect your corporate reputation (whatever the weather), contact us to discover more about the wide range of standard polystyrene packaging solutions available or talk to us about the bespoke manufacturing of material.

For a free, no obligation quotation, contact Vertapak using our online form or talk to the team on 01384 457730.

Shopping habits have certainly changed in recent years as more and more purchases are made on the internet.

This also means that more and more items are delivered and in lightening quick times as consumers are willing to pay for next day delivery.

While the delivery companies tasked with transferring your goods to customers across the country – or even the world – no doubt take every effort to make sure they reaches their destination in pristine condition the scope for damage is ever present.

Thousands of parcels are on the roads every single day of the year, being moved from warehouses to depots to shops or homes.

Protecting your product has to be a key consideration – after all damaged goods are quite likely to damage your reputation as the customer expects delivery in pristine condition.

Play it safe with polystyrene

In this high volume delivery environment a robust packaging solution is essential and polystyrene certainly ticks the right boxes.

Particularly useful in protecting the fragile goods that are always popular at Christmas, polystyrene will help to guarantee that televisions, consoles, gadgets and hi-tech toys don’t disappoint on the big day.

As polystyrene can be moulded to fit it offers a bespoke packaging solution that really will offer protection from start to finish, allowing delicate electronic goods little room for manoeuvre.

As well as fitting closely, the composition of polystyrene is such that it will not damage the product if it is pushed into impact with it, instead it will absorb the movement.

Protect your reputation – and your electronic goods

Likewise any external impact from another parcel, or by accidentally being dropped, will be absorbed by the polystyrene packaging forming an effective barrier to the goods within.

Getting from A to B safely is of utmost importance but so is presentation on delivery when it comes to Christmas gifts. Opening a box and finding the contents scattered in all directions makes for a poor customer experience.

The tailored fit that polystyrene can be moulded to will not only keep products safe in transit but will also maintain presentation within the box where every component should be found exactly as it was intended to be.

Protecting goods that will be popular as Christmas gifts during the delivery process cannot be underestimated.

Don’t dent your customers’ expectations this Christmas, make sure your wrapping is as protective as possible by choosing a polystyrene packaging solution.

For more information about our products, or to request a free no obligation quotation, please contact Vertapak on 01384 457730.

We already know that polystyrene is an extremely versatile material, but whilst it’s well known for its packaging qualities in the food and transport sectors how about the benefits in using polystyrene for interior design?

How polystyrene can be used for interior design

We’re not referring here to polystyrene being used as insulation in wall cavities or as flat ceiling panels. We’re more interested in the innovative ways the recyclable material can be manufactured to create interior ornaments, models and décor applications.

Interior designers take pride in creating wow-factor settings in commercial and residential buildings that attract the attention of visitors – particularly significant in the hospitality industry. Quality inspirational décor boasts eclectic blends of colour, texture and sensory enjoyment so what place does polystyrene have? Actually, quite a few…

Polystyrene is highly adaptable

Polystyrene can be manufactured to any size and shape required, offers great volume, and is easy to mould to fit unusual contours. It’s lightweight and substantial thereby withstanding the pressure of weight-bearing objects and potential damage.

The construction industry and now the interior design sector is using polystyrene as an alternative to traditional building materials such as plaster, cement and wood. And polystyrene can be taken many steps further than a suspended ceiling.

Frequently shaped to bind with walls and ceilings to create unique interior profiles or used to form interior columns, arches or vaults, polystyrene can offer huge savings on building materials, trade labour and heavy lifting! It’s also much quicker to install, cutting down project timescales.

Decorative walls, dressed with patterned polystyrene then painted or embellished make a pleasing backdrop, room partition or an innovative way to spice up the character of a room.

Eco-friendly qualities of polystyrene

Polystyrene is recyclable and has watertight characteristics making it ideal to use within older properties subject to damp conditions. By creating a barrier against oxygen and vapour, polystyrene constructs are safe from spoiling.

Its high thermal performance helps guard against cold drafts and despite being 98% air, polystyrene is durable and offers superb resilience against hazardous chemicals.

Use polystyrene for interior design projects

Here at Verta Pak we produce high-quality polystyrene that can be styled to any shape, size and texture, plus we’re up for any challenge thrown at us.

If you think that polystyrene could be used as part of your next interior design project but are unsure about where to start we offer a consultancy service to talk through the best options.

Contact us on 01384 457730 for more details about any aspect of polystyrene design, production and uses for interior design. 

We see it more and more – people living on water. And not just in rural areas. in London alone, an estimated 10,000 people now live on around 100 miles of the city’s waterways.

The appeal? Well, living on water delivers a sense of freedom in even the most tightly packed and built-up of areas. Indeed, houseboats in sought after locations in the capital can fetch up to £2 million.

Most owners, however, live in more humble surroundings. Not that they mind, the beauty of a narrowboat is its cosiness, its sense of being a self-contained little world. It is becoming the retirement dream of more and more to own one.

To hull and back

We all know that polystyrene floats, but can we really use it for something as substantial as a houseboat? Well, yes. Polystyrene has proved the perfect solution for manufacturing modern houseboat hulls.

Not only can polystyrene be easily shaped, but it is cheap, lightweight, offers  exceptional thermal and flotation performance and does not rot, mould or decay.

Even if polystyrene becomes wet, it has very low absorption. It is never going to become waterbound and heavy even if the hull is breached. It delivers protection against such catastrophe, and with it peace of mind. It’s lightness, meanwhile, means that fuel consumption is reduced. It is a greener solution all round.

A long-term answer

Polystyrene’s characteristics clearly make it an ideal material for long-term performance in marine use. But what happens when that boat eventually, inevitably, reaches the end of its life. Well, the polystyrene can be recycled.

Of course, polystyrene’s relationship with the waterways is well established. It has long been used in  buoyancy aids ranging from simple buoyancy blocks to ‘man overboard’ stretchers and cradles.  If its buoyancy and life-saving properties work in the swimming pool, they are going to work elsewhere. Taking polystyrene to the nation’s waterways is a move that will pay dividends.

Buying a houseboat

Fancy buying a houseboat? You might have to save for a few years first. If the dream does come true, just remember what might well be keeping you afloat beneath your feet.

• We hope you have found this article informative and interesting.

For all your polystyrene queries and needs, contact Vertapak.

 

Home building has massively moved on in recent years. The modern home is built with energy conservation in mind – and this is where polystyrene comes to the fore, saving families thousands on utility bills while offering protection to the environment too.

Polystyrene – a popular material

Polystyrene is one of the most popular materials used for roofing, plumbing, and insulation in the building industry. And there are reasons why so many in the construction industry swear by it. For instance, when applied with reinforced concrete, polystyrene provides protection against harsh environments.

Blocks of polystyrene, meanwhile, are used as an energy efficient model for both industrial units and homes, preventing drafts and maintaining temperature. The effects on domestic and industrial energy consumption can, put simply, be astonishing. 

Polystyrene offers a design bonus for the homeowner

Not only that but expanded polystyrene (EPS) lends itself to the design and structural integrity of many building projects, an ideal choice for green building design, offering tangible environmental advantages. Polystyrene can cover wall cavities, increase resistance to heat transference, and also offer moisture protection.

Insulating Concrete Forms are another case in point. Here we have hollow polystyrene structures, erected at the construction site, then filled with five or six inches of reinforced concrete and left in place. As well as the strength of the concrete, we now have inbuilt insulation too, translating to greater energy efficiency and that ever important peace and quiet!

In the roof space, meanwhile, EPS offers not just insulation but effective water resistance. It is ready and waiting whatever the weather conditions.

A long-term comfort aid

It is not always easy to imagine when seeing the sheer complexity of the building site that the ultimate goal is to deliver long-term living comfort, and yet every step, many of them involving polystyrene, is designed exactly that way.

Homes built with polystyrene at the heart of their being are not hard to tell. They feel warm, snug, quiet and comfortable. They are built with the occupants in mind and are enjoyed, by householders across the globe, accordingly.

A clear conscience

Those same homeowners can enjoy their homes with a clear conscience -the energy required to make polystyrene is more favourable than many alternative materials.

When it comes to home building, polystyrene is our friend. For all your polystyrene queries and needs, give us a call today on 01384 457730.

 

Polystyrene is often seen as a purely functional material, with uses in the packing, preserving, and insulating industries.

But look beneath some of the most pretty, poignant, and pertinent of decorative or commemorative items and it soon becomes apparent that this most versatile of materials plays a vital role.

Polystyrene wreaths

No better illustrated is this than with the example of wreaths. Here we have a major cottage industry, with hobbyists enjoying making wreaths for a huge variety of occasions, including Christmas and Halloween.

Ease of decoration

Of course, few would consider polystyrene to be ideal as a material to be on show in decorative terms. It’s beauty, however, is the ease with which the prettiest of decorations – flowers, leaves, feathers, even craft items such as pom-poms (ideal for a winter effect) can be attached.

Add in it’s virtual weightlessness, and polystyrene is the perfect substance for a temporary or, indeed, permanent, wall hanging, not to mention unobtrusive but singularly appealing table centrepiece.

Personal and poignant

Let us not forget also that wreaths are intensely personal and poignant items left as signals of commemoration on memorials across the country, be they marks of respect to those lost in conflict or in tragedies. Similarly, floral wreaths are a centrepoint of many funeral corteges.

In the past, the ability to fashion their own wreaths was out of many people’s hands. Now the easy availability of polystyrene bases means thousands every year are able to pay tribute in the most personal of ways, creating an image pertinent to an event or loved-one.

The craft economy and polystyrene

Make no mistake, polystyrene is yet again adding significant value to an area of the UK economy. The Craft Intelligence Report, released in conjunction with the Craft & Hobby Association UK, reveals that home crafting is an area worth an estimated £3.4 billion. Some 69% of British females participate in at least one craft per year, amounting to 18.3 million women.

Much of that increase is down to the easy availability of basic materials, polystyrene being a case in point.

Get hold of some and let your creative imagination soar to new and unexplored areas.

More surprising uses of polystyrene

We hope this short article has made for an interesting five minute read.

Please stay tuned for more surprising uses of polystyrene.

Meanwhile, for all your polystyrene queries and needs, please give the team at Vertapak a call today.

It may seem an odd fit to talk about polystyrene and bees in the same sentence. And yet, across Europe the vast majority of hives now sold are made from the substance of polystyrene, supporting thousands of colonies and millions of these valuable insects, which support the world and keep humanity alive.

Why polystyrene for bees?

Well, just think about weight for a start. Traditionally, hives are made of cedar wood, which is great as a sturdy assembly, but what happens when it comes to moving or storing these structures? They are heavy and unmanageable (remember that many beekeepers have several hives) and make for backbreaking work. Polystyrene removes the unwieldy element due to its lightweight composition, while maintaining all the home comforts for our black and yellow friends.

Creating warmth for bees

And there we move to another key benefit – warmth. Many wooden beehives only offer a thin barrier between themselves and an often chilly outside world. Wooden hives may seem natural but they rarely mimic the thickness of a bee’s natural home, such as a tree trunk.

Insulation is vital, and polystyrene offers it in abundance. In fact, because of this insulation, bees in polystyrene hives often have a longer season, emerging up to a month sooner than other broods – and from a larger nest.

What’s the cost of a polystyrene beehive?

Generally, a polystyrene hive is about half the price of a wooden hive, and has the potential to last a lot longer in what can be testing outdoor conditions.

Polystyrene hives do not rot or need slathering in preservative making the dampness that so often can be the downfall of bees, repelled. Made of toughened polystyrene, the hives can be expected to last upwards of 30 years. Do not fear they’ll blow over in the wind because polystyrene hives come with straps to tether them down, making them just as secure in any weather.

What’s the environmental cost of a polystyrene beehive?

Polystyrene is recyclable and, with a long life, exists as a sustainable substance in its own right. No-one knowingly wishes to damage the environment and polystyrene is a friend of the bee, not the enemy.

But aren’t they ugly?

Far from it. Polystyrene hives are designed to be easy on the eye. In fact, from a distance, it’s hard to tell the difference. Polystyrene hives can also be painted to fit in with their surroundings whether a city rooftop dwelling or at one with countryside nature.

Like the bees, you’ll never know the difference. Just look at the evidence here.

More surprising uses of polystyrene

We hope this short article has made for an interesting five minute read.
Please stay tuned for more surprising uses of polystyrene.
Meanwhile, for all your polystyrene queries and needs, contact us here.

The health market is flourishing and despite the parallel crisis with obesity and convenience foods, consumers love their fresh produce and vitamin nutrient packed foods. But it can be a tough call to grow, pick, prepare, pack and deliver healthy edible foods, which are often perishable and need suitable protective transportation to prevent damage and maintain consistent temperatures.

Introducing polystyrene to transport perishable food

Polystyrene is a cost effective material that can manage the requirements of protection and temperature control when it comes to fresh food sources. Polystyrene packaging can keep cool things cool and warm things warm due to its excellent insulation properties and extremely low rate of thermal conductivity. This enables the temperature inside polystyrene packaging or boxes to remain stable even if outside temperatures fluctuate.

The material is lightweight yet sturdy offering much-needed protective properties to carry foods subject to bruising, cracking and squashing.

Polystyrene boxes and containers are watertight and provide a barrier against oxygen and vapour that can spoil food. Available in an array of sizes, polystyrene packaging is perfect for manufacturers of meat, chilled foods, and dairy products that have a limited shelf life. Plus, the packaging is reusable.

Friendly to the environment and sterile

Expanded polystyrene is clean and uncontaminated and is approved for direct contact with food making it ideal for transportation containers – either as boxes, trays or to line refrigerated units.

Everyone is under pressure to commit to protecting our natural environment so it’s comforting to know that polystyrene can be recycled. It’s made up of 98% air with zero destructive chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) gases.

Learn more about polystyrene packaging benefits

VertaPak offers a consultancy service to advice customers of the benefits of polystyrene and how it can be adapted for almost any industry.

Please feel free to call the team on 01384 457 730 or email us here for more information.