What Kind of Shipping Foam is Best for Your Application?
Let’s face it — nobody likes receiving a damaged package. As a business owner, the last thing you want is for your carefully crafted products to arrive at your customer’s doorstep in pieces. That’s where shipping foam comes in, protecting your products during transit. But, with so many options out there, how do you pick the perfect shipping foam for your needs? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’re laying out the different kinds of shipping foam options and helping you decide what’s right for your brand.
What is Shipping Foam?
When you think of packaging foam, many different options may come to mind. You might think of packing peanuts or protective foam sleeves. In this blog, we’re talking about custom-cut polyurethane and polyethylene inserts. These are specially designed to fit around the product, offering cushion and support throughout the journey.
What are the Different Kinds of Shipping Foam?
Most shipping foam is made out of one of two materials: polyethylene or polyurethane. Polyurethane maintains an open-cell structure, allowing air to flow through it. The result is a soft, flexible, and versatile option perfect for lightweight applications. However, polyurethane can absorb liquids due to its open-cell structure, which means it may not be suitable for all applications.
Polyethylene, on the other hand, is more durable, firm, and shock-absorbent. This is due to its closed-cell structure, meaning the air bubbles within the foam are sealed off from each other. This makes it best for heavier, less fragile items.
Polyurethane vs. Polyethylene Shipping Foam: What’s Right for You?
Assess What You’re Shipping
The shipping foam you’ll use varies depending on whether you’re sending out delicate electronics or a chunky piece of machinery.
For heavier items, polyethylene foam is usually better because it has a higher density and firmness. Examples might include medical and pharmaceutical products, automotive parts, industrial equipment, and more.
Polyurethane foam is best for delicate or fragile items because it has excellent shock absorption and scratch resistance. You might ship glassware, ceramics, and other breakable items in this foam. It can even be convoluted to make an egg crate shape, further protecting your valuables. Additionally, polyurethane is best for electronics as it can be made to anti-static standards.
Consider the Environmental Factors
If you’ll be shipping somewhere with extreme environmental conditions, polyethylene foam is likely the best choice. Its closed-cell structure is highly resistant to water, moisture, and chemicals, which allows it to maintain its protective properties in even harsh environments.
Do You Need to Meet Industry Standards?
Are there any specific industry standards or regulations to consider? For example, you may need to meet certain UL or ISO safety standards, depending on what you’re shipping. Keeping these in mind can help you decide what’s best for you.
In Need of Custom Shipping Foam? Trust Jamestown Container
When it comes to protective shipping foam, you don’t want to trust just anyone. The safety of your products are on the line! For decades, Jamestown Container has been at the forefront of shipping foam solutions, helping customers get the perfect option for their needs. Our high-quality custom foam packaging is capable of handling even the toughest jobs and can keep any item protected while adding a professional element to your package.
We specialize in fabricating both polyurethane and polyethylene foam for a wide range of applications. Our team can create packaging foam in various sizes, types, and colors to meet your specific needs. Utilizing CAD systems and precision design equipment, we develop comprehensive packaging solutions at affordable prices.
Our expertise doesn’t stop at foam packaging, though. We also provide custom corrugated boxes, retail packaging and displays, packaging supplies, and can even manage your inventory with our eVMI program. Just scan the barcode on your boxes as you use them and we’ll have a real-time snapshot of your entire inventory. We’ll create and distribute boxes to your facility in a timely manner so you never run out!
Let’s Get Started
Ready to incorporate shipping foam into your operations? Reach out to our team to set up an initial consultation.