Ethafoam® is a high-performance polyethylene foam manufactured by Sealed Air. The material is exceptionally easy to shape, cut, and fabricate using standard tools. Because polyethylene is a thermoplastic, Ethafoam® can be “heat-welded”. By briefly melting the surfaces and pressing them together, it is possible to bond several layers without glue.

Additionally, Ethafoam® is lightweight, non-toxic, and odourless. Its closed-cell structure makes it virtually impermeable to water and highly buoyant even after prolonged submersion. It offers excellent chemical resistance to most oils, solvents, acids, and alkalis, and acts as an effective thermal insulator with a very low moisture permeability.

Ethafoam® is a versatile product used across a vast range of demanding industrial applications. It is the primary material for custom protective packaging, such as case inserts, blocking, and bracing for heavy machinery, automotive parts, and aerospace components. In the marine sector, it is sometimes used for high-buoyancy fenders, dock bumpers, and oil booms. Its chemical inertness also makes it well-suited for lining museum drawers and creating “nesting” cavities to stabilise fragile artefacts. Other common applications include expansion joints in construction, anti-vibration pads, gaskets, and sound-dampening insulation.