In a world where shipments are ever-increasing due to online orders, a growing number of companies need to review the way they package and protect their products. Many different types of protective foams can be used to this end.

Find out about the features and applications of the two main types of protective foams and, above all, their respective benefits.

Protective polyurethane foam

With its open cells, polyurethane foam is easy to mold and adapt to different types of protective packaging. It can be used as a filling material to fill voids in a crate and therefore prevent products from moving when they are handled. Thanks to its flexibility, it can absorb shocks and quickly recover its original shape.

Due to its soft surface and ability to resist scratches, polyurethane foam is an excellent option for protecting light and fragile products. It also has excellent resistance to mildew, making it perfect for shipping food or moisture-sensitive products.

Polyurethane foam can also be made anti-static. The protective foam packaging therefore eliminates and absorbs electrical charges to protect electronic products from internal damage during transport.

Polyurethane foam can be manufactured in a wide variety of colors and densities, sometimes even using recycled materials. This wide range of available formulations makes custom packaging design an option.

Protective polyethylene foam

Polyethylene foam is a packaging solution that is generally denser than polyurethane foam and is often used to provide suitable protection for even more fragile objects that require greater stability. The closed cells of this foam give it unique vibration and shock absorption properties that provide increased protection for a variety of products.

This type of foam can be produced in different densities to achieve the desired impact resistance by being more flexible or rigid. This foam can also be customized in different sizes and colors and cut into all shapes and sizes. This is possible through a CNC cutting service as well as cutting, gluing, laminating and foam thinning services.

Protective polyethylene foam is resistant to chemicals and moisture, making it ideal for providing additional protection for sensitive items such as medical devices when used in medical packaging applications.

Creopack: the protective foam specialist

With all the advantages they offer, the various protective foams presented above are ideal options when it comes to protecting a wide range of items during transport and handling.

However, the best way to take advantage of these two types of protective foams is to work with a packaging designer to ensure that the most suitable formulation is used for each item.

At Creopack, we have state-of-the-art equipment and in-depth expertise that allows us to offer custom crating services to our customers. Contact us to find out how we can help you protect your products.