Key Takeaways
- EPS70 polystyrene sheets are a lightweight, impact-resistant packaging material widely used by UK businesses to protect goods in transit.
- Standard sheet sizes range from compact 600x400mm packs up to large 2400x1200mm sheets, with thicknesses spanning 10mm all the way to 300mm.
- Pricing is accessible for SMBs – smaller packs start from around £9.98 for 5 sheets, while larger format sheets run from approximately £14.60 per sheet.
- The right sheet thickness and size depends on what you’re protecting – read on to understand which spec suits your application best.
EPS70: A Widely Used Polystyrene Packaging Sheet in the UK
Protecting products during transit is a priority for businesses of all sizes, and few materials have proven as reliable – or as cost-effective – as expanded polystyrene (EPS). Across warehouses, fulfilment centres, and small business packing benches throughout the UK, EPS70 polystyrene sheets have become a go-to solution for everything from fragile electronics to temperature-sensitive goods.
The “70” in EPS70 refers to the material’s compressive strength of 70 kPa, which sets it apart from lower-grade polystyrene foam. That strength rating means it can absorb impact without collapsing, making it genuinely useful rather than decorative padding. Rigid enough to create a structured barrier around products, yet light enough to keep shipping weights – and therefore shipping costs – under control.
What Makes EPS70 Worth Using?
There is no shortage of packaging materials on the market, so understanding why EPS70 tends to win out for protective applications is worth addressing directly, says UK-based supplier Globe Packaging.
Lightweight Yet Impact-Resistant
EPS is composed almost entirely of air – roughly 98% by volume – which accounts for its low weight. For businesses shipping products regularly, that reduced weight directly lowers courier costs, an effect that compounds quickly at scale. Despite this, EPS70 offers excellent shock absorption. The closed-cell foam structure compresses slightly on impact, absorbing kinetic energy rather than transmitting it to the contents inside. Fragile items – ceramics, glassware, electronics, precision components – benefit significantly from this combination of low mass and high protection.
The material is also rigid and durable enough to be cut and shaped to fit specific packaging requirements, making it practical for businesses that need a custom fit without the cost of custom-moulded packaging.
Thermal and Moisture Resistance
EPS70 sheets perform well beyond simple impact protection. The material is an effective thermal insulator, making it a practical choice for packaging food products, pharmaceuticals, or any goods that need to stay within a specific temperature range during delivery. EPS is also moisture-resistant and unaffected by bacteria, moulds, or fungi – an important consideration for businesses in food, medical, or agricultural sectors where product hygiene and integrity are non-negotiable.
Standard Sizes and Thicknesses Available
One practical advantage of EPS70 as a packaging material is the wide range of dimensions available off the shelf, meaning businesses rarely need to go bespoke just to get the right fit.
Common Sheet Dimensions (e.g. 2400x1200mm, 600x400mm)
EPS70 sheets are typically stocked in two broad size categories. The larger format – 2400mm x 1200mm – suits businesses wrapping, lining, or layering protection around bigger products, or cutting sheets down in-house for multiple smaller applications. The smaller format – 600mm x 400mm – works well straight out of the pack for wrapping individual items or lining the base and sides of shipping boxes. Both sizes are held in stock and available for next working day dispatch.
Thickness Options From 10mm to 300mm
Thickness is where the real customisation happens. EPS70 sheets are available across a substantial range, from as thin as 10mm – ideal for lightweight surface protection or void fill – all the way up to 300mm for heavy-duty insulation and impact buffering around bulky or fragile items. Common mid-range thicknesses such as 25mm and 50mm are the most frequently purchased, offering a balance between protection and material cost. As a general rule, the heavier or more fragile the product, the thicker the sheet required.
What Do Polystyrene Sheets Cost in the UK?
Cost is often the deciding factor when businesses are choosing between packaging materials, and EPS70 holds its own well on price – particularly given what it delivers in terms of protection and versatility.
Smaller Sheet Packs (e.g. 600x400mm): From ~£9.98 for 5 Sheets
For smaller-scale packaging needs, compact EPS70 sheets represent strong value. Based on pricing from UK suppliers, a pack of 5 sheets at 600x400mm is available from approximately £9.98 Ex VAT. These price points make EPS70 accessible even for businesses buying in modest volumes, without needing to commit to bulk pallet orders.
Larger Sheet Packs (e.g. 2400x1200x50mm): From ~£14.60 Per Sheet
At the larger end of the range, a 2400mm x 1200mm x 50mm EPS70 sheet is priced from approximately £14.60 Ex VAT per sheet when purchased in a pack of six. Given the sheet size – nearly 2.9 square metres of coverage per sheet – this remains a competitive price point for businesses that need significant coverage or are cutting sheets down to fit multiple product lines. The 50mm thickness at this size also makes these sheets a practical choice for heavier items requiring meaningful impact buffering on all sides.
Across both size categories, polystyrene sheets are considered one of the more cost-effective protective packaging materials available. The relatively efficient manufacturing process for EPS keeps production costs – and therefore retail prices – low compared to alternatives such as moulded foam inserts or custom cardboard fabrications.
Where to Buy
EPS70 polystyrene sheets are available from a range of UK packaging suppliers, including KB Packaging, Polystyrene.co.uk (StyroTech), and Packaging Express, all of whom offer fast dispatch across the UK. For businesses that need a reliable source with a broad size range held in stock, checking whether a supplier offers next working day delivery as standard – rather than as a premium add-on – is worthwhile, as delivery timelines can genuinely affect production schedules when packaging stock runs low unexpectedly.
Pricing transparency is also worth looking for. A supplier that lists per-sheet and per-pack costs clearly – including Ex VAT pricing – makes it far easier to compare options and plan purchasing budgets accurately, particularly for SMBs managing tight margins.
Globe Packaging
Unit 5, Caxton Trading Estate
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 1AP
United Kingdom
