Where EPP Is Used in North American Manufacturing

Molded EPP side-impact bolsters behind the door trim crush at a controlled rate for FMVSS 214 and recover for repeat testing; lighter and cheaper than the polyurethane energy absorbers they replaced

Molded EPP inserts inside rear seat backs and in front seat back panels take pendulum and luggage retention loads at a third of the density of polyurethane and do not creep when the seat is folded for weeks

Molded EPP organizers and liners in side-by-side cargo boxes and under-seat storage take repeated impact from tools and coolers, do not absorb water, and can be molded in one piece with dividers; the same bead foam automotive uses for tool trays

Expanded polypropylene is the returnable and reusable dunnage material, and it is where automotive and appliance closed-loop programs have gone. It costs several times EPS and pays back over dozens of trips, which only works when the shipper owns both ends of the lane.

Expanded polypropylene cell carriers and impact absorbers on larger backpack and equipment-mounted packs, where the drop case is a complete pack rather than a hand tool