Polystyrene biography for kids

Styrofoam is a product made from a type of plastic called polystyrene.

Polystyrene biography for kids

It is light, can be made into many different shapes and sizes, and is a superb insulator (protecting heat and cold).

Polystyrene is a plastic that has a petroleum base to it. Styrofoam is very light because 95% of it is just air.

Styrofoam is made when the polystyrene is increased or expanded into a lightly puffed or foamed state.

Carl Munters from Sweden first invented foamed polystyrene.

In the 1940s Ray McIntire improved Munters’ invention and began producing the product commercially.

McIntire used to work for a company called Dow Chemical, which is the sole manufacturer of Styrofoam in the world.

The plastic like cups we drink coffee from, our food trays, and the packaging that protects electronic and other appliances are made from Styrofoam.

While the demand for Styrofoam is quite high, many scientists and environmentalists are concerned with the effects Styrofoam has on the environment.

Polystyrene