Foamex recently won a $1.4 million contract to supply expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks for the massive West Gate Tunnel Project, which is delivering Melbourne residents with a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge.
Foamex is supplying the major infrastructure project with S Grade Polystyrene manufactured at its Bayswater North facility on the east side of Melbourne, where it is cut into various dimensions. Using state-of-the-art equipment to hot wire profile the individual blocks, Foamex technicians precisely cut the EPS blocks to the profile according to the specifications set out by the engineers on the project.
“EPS has great tensile strength which gives it the ability to resist loads without failure because of excessive stress or deformation,” explains Foamex General Manager Justin Kelsey. “And this is why it is very commonly used within large construction projects.”
As Australia’s leading and longest serving polystyrene manufacturer, involvement in the West Gate Tunnel Project continues our long-running support of large critical infrastructure projects. And the same EPS products being used in the West Gate Tunnel are also being used in residential and commercial construction projects by Foamex customers throughout Australia.
Australia’s building industry prioritising quality in EPS building materials
At both residential and commercial building sites across Australia, builders are relying on Australian manufactured Styroboard EPS blocks to deliver quality insulation for their projects. StyroBloc from Foamex is 100 per cent manufactured in Australia and can be shaped, cut, or laminated to your specific application requirements.
While the Australian construction industry is very price-driven, Foamex General Manager Justin Kelsey believes that COVID-19 is offering a stark reminder of the importance of having a trusted supply chain on the ground that can deliver on time, on budget, and without compromise.
For residential and commercial construction projects, these requirements are essential. If a supplier fails to deliver on these conditions, you risk running behind schedule on your project and running up additional costs as you wait for product to arrive.
“Sourcing polystyrene locally means freight is kept to a minimum due to the sheer bulk of each delivery, and buying EPS locally means supporting our local economy”, explains Kelsey.
Foamex EPS blocks: A safer and more sustainable solution
With EPS blocks from Foamex, your project will be safer – for both those who will use the building and for the environment. As with all expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) products that we produce, Foamex EPS blocks are only made using fire retardant grade raw material to significantly reduce the risk of fire, improve personal and public safety and offer better property protection.
“Using EPS has environmental benefits due to the significant reduction of concrete required. A lot of people aren’t aware that the production and use of concrete is the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world and its use continues to grow around the world,” explains Kelsey.
A long-serving member of Expanded Polystyrene Australia (EPSA), Foamex is an environmentally conscious organisation. EPS blocks are delivered to construction sites tightly wrapped together with plastic shrink wrap, and then further secured on site with netting attached to pegs in the ground to minimise risk of blow-away and damage.
Foamex also supply building sites with large plastic bags to store EPS off-cuts and leftover polystyrene. After which , the bags are picked up from building sites and then repurposed into new EPS products, meaning waste is eradicated.
Foamex EPS blocks can be custom created to any specific width, length and thickness dimensions that your project requires.
Foamex EPS blocks for your next project
Foamex Styroboard EPS blocks are versatile building products that are ideal for use in a range of building and construction applications.
Durable and long-lasting, Styroboard EPS blocks are lightweight for easy application, weather resistant, long-lasting, durable and provide high levels of thermal insulation. Foamex EPS blocks also offer fantastic acoustic benefits and are virtually impervious to water, unlike other alternatives.
Interested in learning more about how Foamex EPS blocks can play a key role in your commercial or residential construction project? Contact your local Foamex sales office to find out how we can help.
