Polystyrene

Polystyrene Sheet – Versatile, Cost-Effective Plastic for Displays and Packaging

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a cost-effective, easy-to-fabricate plastic sheet used extensively in signage, packaging, displays, food service, and prototyping applications. Associated Plastics Tasmania supplies polystyrene sheet in a range of thicknesses and colours with full cutting and fabrication services.

What Is High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)?

High Impact Polystyrene is a modified version of general-purpose polystyrene, enhanced with polybutadiene rubber to significantly improve its impact resistance and toughness. While not as strong as acrylic or polycarbonate, HIPS offers an excellent balance of performance and cost, making it the go-to material for many everyday applications.

Properties and Benefits

Cost-Effective

HIPS is one of the most affordable plastic sheet materials available, making it ideal for high-volume applications, disposable items, and budget-conscious projects without compromising on quality.

Easy to Thermoform

Polystyrene thermoforms at relatively low temperatures and with excellent detail reproduction, making it the preferred material for vacuum forming packaging, trays, enclosures, and shaped components.

Lightweight

With a density of approximately 1.05 g/cm3, polystyrene is among the lightest rigid plastics available, reducing material costs and shipping weight for large-volume applications.

Food Safe

Food-grade HIPS is widely used in food packaging and food service applications. It meets relevant Australian food contact standards and is commonly used for disposable containers, trays, and food service items.

Good Surface Finish

HIPS has a smooth, matt surface that accepts printing, painting, and adhesive labels well. It is available in standard white and black, with other colours available for larger orders.

Available Options

We stock HIPS in thicknesses from 0.5mm to 6mm, with 1mm, 1.5mm, and 2mm being the most popular for general applications. Standard sheet sizes are 2440 x 1220mm. Available in white, black, and selected colours.

Common Applications

Packaging and Thermoforming

HIPS is the industry standard for vacuum-formed packaging trays, blister packs, food containers, and protective inserts. Its excellent thermoforming characteristics allow production of detailed, precise packaging at high speed and low cost.

Point-of-Sale Displays

Retail displays, counter stands, dump bins, and promotional units are commonly fabricated from HIPS. Its low cost makes it suitable for seasonal and promotional displays that may have a limited lifespan.

Signage

For indoor signage, directional signs, and short-term displays, HIPS provides a cost-effective substrate that can be printed, painted, or vinyl-wrapped. It is not recommended for long-term outdoor use due to UV sensitivity.

Model Making and Prototyping

HIPS is widely used in scale model building, architectural models, and rapid prototyping. It is easy to cut, score, bend, and glue with common modelling tools and adhesives.

Refrigeration Liners

HIPS is the standard material for thermoformed refrigerator and freezer liners, combining food-safe properties with excellent thermoforming performance and low cost.

Our Polystyrene Services

• Cut-to-Size – precision cutting to your exact dimensions
• CNC Routing – complex shapes and profiles
• Bulk Supply – full sheets for thermoformers and manufacturers

Why Choose Associated Plastics Tasmania?

• Stock range of HIPS in popular thicknesses
• Cut-to-size service with fast turnaround
• Competitive pricing especially for bulk orders
• Expert advice on material selection
• Delivery across Tasmania and Australia-wide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is polystyrene suitable for outdoor use?

Standard HIPS is not recommended for long-term outdoor use as it will degrade and become brittle when exposed to UV light. For outdoor applications, we recommend UV-stable materials such as acrylic, polycarbonate, or ACP.

Can polystyrene be vacuum formed?

Yes – HIPS is one of the easiest plastics to thermoform. It softens at relatively low temperatures and reproduces detail well, making it the preferred choice for vacuum forming applications across Australia.

Is HIPS the same as expanded polystyrene (foam)?

No. High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a solid, rigid sheet material. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is the lightweight foam commonly used for insulation and packaging. They are different products with very different properties and applications.

Need polystyrene sheet? Contact Associated Plastics Tasmania for pricing.