First discovered in 1839 by German apothecary Eduard Simon, polystyrene finds use in diverse applications. While there are several obvious examples such as building and construction, laboratory equipment and packaging, polystyrene can also be found in quite a few unusual applications.

Polystyrene products from Foamex Group such as Styroboard EPS and Styroboard XPS products are also used for more creative purposes from theatre and movie props to exhibition displays, prototyping, retail showcases, and even various art and craft projects.

1. Theatre props

Props required for theatre sets are made from polystyrene as they are lightweight and reusable, and will save time and money during installation. Polystyrene sheets and blocks are easily shaped, water-resistant and more durable than any fibreglass alternative, making them ideal for props. Polystyrene can be easily carved into any shape or design, and made to look like any other type of material such as metal, wood, stone and more, using paint and other finishes.

2. Movie and TV sets

Polystyrene is commonly used on film sets for its ease of application – the highly versatile material can be cut and shaped into any form or size, making it ideal for creating scenery and props. With the right finish, polystyrene can look exactly like the real thing – from house facades and backgrounds to statues and various objects. Many backdrop manufacturers in Australia use polystyrene to create backgrounds for movies and photoshoots.

Polystyrene helps filmmakers keep production costs low by providing an inexpensive alternative to the real thing. Being lightweight, it can be easily moved and transported to the film set, regardless of its size.

3. Event and trade show displays

Polystyrene sheets and blocks find wide application in the trade exhibition industry due to durability, light weight and overall ease of use. Polystyrene is used to produce high quality foam core monument signs, plaques, foam sculptures, dimensionally carved signs, lettering and other custom foam products. Logos and messages can be recreated with computer precision, and letters and signs can be painted in corporate colours.

4. Product prototyping

Polystyrene has been a go-to prototyping material for many years. It's inexpensive, readily available and white in colour, and it glues, sands, cuts and paints well, all of which make it ideal for product prototypes.

5. Retail showcases

From mannequins and display heads to shop window concepts and product showcases, polystyrene blocks can be hotwire-cut into a range of imaginative designs for shop-fittings and displays.

6. Art and craft

Polystyrene is a popular low-cost material for a variety of art and craft projects. The material can be easily cut into various shapes and sizes, and decorated to obtain beautiful craft pieces.

Speak to the experts in polystyrene today

Interested in learning more about how Foamex’s range of polystyrene products can help you? We have been supplying polystyrene solutions to a range of Australian industries for more than 35 years and have offices in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.