If you need a high-performance foam material that absorbs shock, minimises pack size/weight, and is recyclable, ARPLANK is a great option.
ARPLANK is a closed-cell bead foam material constructed using expanded and thermally bonded polyethylene beads. It provides exceptional performance, displaying isotropic behavior (the same performance in all three axes), excellent shock absorption and isothermal stability across a wide temperature range. This performance, coupled with its 30% recycled content and its requirement for up to 40% less material than conventional cross-linked foams, makes it popular for a range of packaging applications.
Polyformes is the sole UK distributor of ARPLANK foam material. Our stockholding and in-house conversion equipment mean we can supply you with ARPLANK planks in the exact size and thickness you need, or as prefabricated foam packaging, dunnage, or products.
ARPLANK is available in three densities: 20, 30, and 45kg/m³.
ARPLANK is also available in a conductive (30 CO) grade with a density of 30kg/m3. This grade is effective for protecting sensitive products requiring ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection in the electronics, automotive, solar, and photovoltaics industries.
All ARPLANK grades contain 30% recycled material.
For further details regarding individual material grades, please view the specific pages/datasheets.
Polyformes can split/skive, laminate and butt-weld Stratocell® planks to the specific dimensions you require. MOQs may apply to certain size/material options.
Please get in touch with a member of our team to discuss your requirements.
The majority of ARPLANK grades are suitable for conversion using the following processes:
Please note that not all colours are available in all grades. Please view the individual material pages for full availability.
Due to individual display settings, the colours you see on your screen may vary slightly from the actual material colour.
Black
White
ARPLANK material offers the following beneficial properties:
Unlike traditional extruded foams that have a linear cell structure (making them stronger in one direction than the others), ARPLANK is isotropic. Being isotropic means it absorbs and dissipates energy uniformly across all three axes (X, Y and Z), protecting against impact from any angle. Similarly, ARPLANK is non-abrasive in all directions, making it perfect for packaging newly painted objects, glass, or other materials that are vulnerable to scratching.
ARPLANK is suitable for a range of applications, but particularly for protective packaging. Packaging suppliers use it to manufacture load carriers, CKD (complete knock-down) packaging, structural packaging, foam inserts and die-cut products. It is possible to convert ARPLANK using die-cutting, splitting, waterjet, laser, CNC milling, sawing, and moulding processes.
ARPLANK is 100% recyclable. Its manufacture typically includes 25%-30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. The manufacturing process is also completely free of CFCs, VOCs, and heavy metals or compounds, such as lead, mercury, or halogens. As such, products and packaging created using ARPLANK recycled material are designated under the SPI (Society of the Plastics Industry) recycling standard as a low-risk, recycling category 4.
ARPLANK features an exceptionally low compression set (around 5% to 6%), meaning that after a heavy load or a severe drop, the foam recovers to nearly 100% of its original shape. This property makes it perfect for applications (i.e. packaging) subjected to repeated impacts and/or long-term storage.
ARPLANK is a highly resilient, closed-cell bead foam material primarily made from Expanded Polyethylene (EPE) or Expanded Polypropylene (EPP). The manufacturer, JSP, uses a unique steam-chest molding process that thermally bonds the outer shells of the polymer beads into a solid, multi-directional protective structure.
Because the engineered beads trap air so efficiently, ARPLANK can achieve the same protective cushioning as cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) while being 30% to 40% lighter and using less raw material. It is also chemically inert and is resistant to water, oils and chemicals.
ARPLANK is typically supplied in large, uniform blocks (often around 2000mm x 1200mm x 150mm), which drastically reduces the need to laminate or glue multiple sheets together. However, Polyformes can split, skive and butt-weld sheets to create the specific sizes if required.
Put simply, Polyformes is the only current supplier of ARPLANK material in the UK. But we can also offer your business several other important benefits.
Official suppliers
Short lead times
Material knowledge
Trade service
Packaging products
UK experts
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Our experts
The information on this page was written and checked by our team of packaging experts:
Technical Sales
Emma Atterbury
[email protected] | 01525 852 444
Quotes / Pricing
Amy Donnelly
[email protected] | 01525 852 444
Customer Service
Ian Rumsey
[email protected] | 01525 852 444