{"id":987,"date":"2026-03-05T08:30:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T07:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/?page_id=987"},"modified":"2026-04-16T10:06:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T08:06:14","slug":"processing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/en\/processing\/","title":{"rendered":"Processing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; parallax_animation=&#8221;yes&#8221; parallax_position=&#8221;center-right&#8221; section_bg_position=&#8221;section-bg&#8211;bottom-right&#8221; parallax_image=&#8221;252&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1773670857796{background-image: url(https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pfa-particle-foam-association-dots-oben-4.png?id=628) !important;}&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">Transforming Particles into Performance<\/h1>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Particle foams are produced from plastic granules in the form of small beads. Two basic types can be distinguished:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span lang=\"EN-US\">Expanded particle foams<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(e.g. <a href=\"https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/en\/particle-foams\/#epp\" rel=\"noopener\">EPP<\/a>) <span lang=\"EN-US\">are supplied in the form of pre-expanded foam beads and can be processed directly into moulded parts or be pre-expanded a second time at the processors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>E<span lang=\"EN-US\">xpanded particle foams<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(e.g. <a href=\"https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/en\/particle-foams\/#eps\" rel=\"noopener\">EPS<\/a>) <span lang=\"EN-US\">are delivered as compact microgranules containing a blowing agent (e.g. pentane or CO<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u2082<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\">) and are pre-expanded to the desired density only shortly before moulded part production.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">In the moulding process, the individual foam beads are bonded together in the mould to form stable, lightweight and functional components. In addition to the established steam-based moulding, there are also modern steam-free moulding technologies that are particularly interesting for high-performance particle foams with very high softening temperatures and for water sensitive materials.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; section_bg_class=&#8221;section-bg section-bg&#8211;grey&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243; offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-6&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1774515523811{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1776257250102{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"subheadline\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Particle Foam Processing<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span lang=\"EN-US\">From Granule to Individual Particle Foam Beads<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243; offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-6 vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-7&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span lang=\"EN-US\">In autoclave foaming, compact polymer particles are exposed to blowing agents such as CO\u2082 in a pressure vessel. At elevated temperatures and pressures, the blowing agent diffuses into the polymer until thermodynamic equilibrium is reached. A subsequent rapid and controlled depressurisation causes the blowing agent to expand abruptly inside the softened polymer granules, resulting in the formation of a closed-cell structure.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-5&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1169&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-7&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span lang=\"EN-US\">Another manufacturing route is the foam extrusion of particle foams. In this process, the polymer is melted in an extruder and the blowing agent is injected into the polymer melt under pressure to achieve a homogeneous distribution. The melt containing the blowing agent is then continuously extruded through a die. Upon exiting the die, the pressure drops instantaneously, causing the blowing agent to expand and the melt to foam. By appropriately designing the die as well as employing suitable cutting and separation techniques, various particle shapes can be produced. Depending on the process conditions, this method allows for the production of both pre-foamed beads and blowing-agent-loaded granulates.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column offset=&#8221;vc_col-md-5&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1170&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n    [vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Prefoaming<\/h3>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">During pre-foaming, expandable particle foams such as EPS are converted from their compact initial form into lightweight foam beads. The required energy input is provided either by steam or radiation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">In the conventional steam-based pre-foaming process, blowing-agent-loaded polymer particles are exposed to saturated steam at temperatures above the polymer\u2019s glass transition temperature. As a result, the polymer softens and the blowing agent contained within the material evaporates. The increasing internal pressure of the particles leads to volumetric expansion. Immediately after pre-foaming, the foam beads are stabilised in a fluidised bed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">In the radiation-based pre-foaming process, the expandable particles are metered onto a conveyor belt. The energy input is provided by infrared (IR) radiation. A key advantage of this method is that the material is not exposed to moisture, making it particularly suitable for moisture-sensitive particle foams. In addition, higher process temperatures can be achieved with radiation-based heating, enabling the processing of high-performance particle foams with elevated softening temperatures.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--medium\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221;][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content_no_spaces&#8221;][vc_column]\n    <div class=\"video-element video-element--local video-element--no-radius\">\n        <div class=\"video-element__container\">\n            <video class=\"video-element__video\" autoplay muted loop controls playsinline>\n                <source src=\"https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pfa-particle-foam-association-partikelschaumperlen-rotiert-ai.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\">\n                Ihr Browser unterst\u00fctzt das Video-Tag nicht.\n            <\/video>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n        \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; section_bg_class=&#8221;section-bg section-bg&#8211;grey&#8221; parallax_animation=&#8221;yes&#8221; parallax_position=&#8221;bottom-left&#8221; parallax_image=&#8221;245&#8243;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243; offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-6&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"subheadline\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Molded Part Production<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span lang=\"EN-US\">From Individual Particle Foam Beads to Component<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">In the moulding process, the individual beads are welded together to form a dimensionally stable component.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243; offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span lang=\"EN-US\">Steam-based Moulding<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">The conventional technology is steam-based moulding. In this process, the mould is first closed and then filled with loose particle foam beads. The particles inside the mould are then heated by steam, causing the surfaces of the individual particles to soften and bond together into a solid component. In the subsequent process step, the component must be stabilised to ensure the required dimensional accuracy and shape stability. Finally, the mould can be opened and the finished component removed.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243;]            <div class=\"video-element video-element--external\">\n                <div class=\"video-element__container video-element__container--responsive\">\n                     <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-container brlbs-cmpnt-content-blocker brlbs-cmpnt-with-individual-styles\" data-borlabs-cookie-content-blocker-id=\"vimeo-content-blocker\" data-borlabs-cookie-content=\"PGlmcmFtZSBsb2FkaW5nPSJsYXp5IiBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnZpbWVvLmNvbS92aWRlby81MzEyNDgzMjAiIHdpZHRoPSI2NDAiIGhlaWdodD0iMzYwIiBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgYWxsb3c9ImF1dG9wbGF5OyBmdWxsc2NyZWVuOyBwaWN0dXJlLWluLXBpY3R1cmUiIGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbj48L2lmcmFtZT4=\"><div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-preset-c brlbs-cmpnt-cb-vimeo\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-thumbnail\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borlabs-cookie\/1\/vimeo_531248320.jpg')\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-main\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-play-button\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-content\"> <p class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-description\">You are currently viewing a placeholder content from <strong>Vimeo<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-provider-toggle\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-show-provider-information role=\"button\">More Information<\/a> <\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-buttons\"> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-unblock role=\"button\">Unblock content<\/a> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-accept-service role=\"button\" style=\"display: inherit\">Accept required service and unblock content<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span lang=\"EN-US\">Steam-less Moulding<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">In addition to the conventional steam-based process, modern steam-free moulding technologies have been developed, which are particularly attractive for high-performance particle foams with very high softening temperatures as well as for moisture-sensitive materials:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">In radio-wave-based moulding, energy is introduced directly into the particles via electromagnetic fields, causing them to be heated from the inside. This can result in very short cycle times and reduced energy consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">Another variant is dry variothermal moulding, in which only the mould is heated to high temperatures and subsequently cooled again. In this process, the particle bed inside the mould is heated exclusively by heat conduction from the mould walls into the particle bed. In this way, sensitive components, such as electronic devices, can be directly integrated into the particle foam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span lang=\"EN-US\">An additional process combines coated particles with a variothermal process to enable bonding without the use of steam and at lower temperatures. This makes it possible to reliably manufacture even demanding hybrid components, such as metal face sheets on particle foam.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243;]            <div class=\"video-element video-element--external\">\n                <div class=\"video-element__container video-element__container--responsive\">\n                     <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-container brlbs-cmpnt-content-blocker brlbs-cmpnt-with-individual-styles\" data-borlabs-cookie-content-blocker-id=\"vimeo-content-blocker\" data-borlabs-cookie-content=\"PGlmcmFtZSBsb2FkaW5nPSJsYXp5IiBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnZpbWVvLmNvbS92aWRlby81MzEyNTUxOTciIHdpZHRoPSI2NDAiIGhlaWdodD0iMzYwIiBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgYWxsb3c9ImF1dG9wbGF5OyBmdWxsc2NyZWVuOyBwaWN0dXJlLWluLXBpY3R1cmUiIGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbj48L2lmcmFtZT4=\"><div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-preset-c brlbs-cmpnt-cb-vimeo\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-thumbnail\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borlabs-cookie\/1\/vimeo_531255197.jpg')\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-main\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-play-button\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-content\"> <p class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-description\">You are currently viewing a placeholder content from <strong>Vimeo<\/strong>. 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Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-provider-toggle\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-show-provider-information role=\"button\">More Information<\/a> <\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-buttons\"> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-unblock role=\"button\">Unblock content<\/a> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-accept-service role=\"button\" style=\"display: inherit\">Accept required service and unblock content<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--medium\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; disable_element=&#8221;yes&#8221; section_bg_class=&#8221;section-bg section-bg&#8211;grey&#8221; parallax_animation=&#8221;yes&#8221; parallax_position=&#8221;bottom-left&#8221; parallax_image=&#8221;249&#8243;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243; offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-6&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"subheadline\">Formteil\u00adherstellung<\/p>\n<h2>Von der Perle zum Form\u00adteil<\/h2>\n<p>Die einzelnen aufgesch\u00e4um\u00adten Partikel werden zu einem festen Bauteil verbunden, indem sie im Werk\u00adzeug miteinander verschwei\u00dft werden.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243; offset=&#8221;vc_col-lg-6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Dampf\u00adbasiertes Form\u00adsch\u00e4umen<\/h3>\n<p>Das klassische Verfahren daf\u00fcr ist das dampf\u00adbasierte Form\u00adsch\u00e4umen. Zun\u00e4chst wird das Werk\u00adzeug geschlossen und mit Schaum\u00adperlen bef\u00fcllt. Anschlie\u00dfend wird Wasser\u00addampf in das Werk\u00adzeug eingeleitet. Dadurch steigen Temperatur und Druck, sodass die Ober\u00adfl\u00e4chen der Partikel weich werden und an den Kontakt\u00adstellen miteinander verschmelzen. Wichtig f\u00fcr eine gute Bauteil\u00adqualit\u00e4t sind dabei eine gezielte F\u00fchrung des Dampfes, ausreichende Ent\u00adl\u00fcftung und ein kontrollierter Temperatur\u00adverlauf. Nach dem Bedampfen werden Werk\u00adzeug und Bau\u00adteil gek\u00fchlt, wodurch das Form\u00adteil seine Stabilit\u00e4t erh\u00e4lt und anschlie\u00dfend ent\u00adnommen werden kann.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1006&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Radiowellen\u00adbasiertes Form\u00adsch\u00e4umen<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"916\" data-end=\"1185\">Neben diesem klassischen Dampf\u00adverfahren gibt es inzwischen auch moderne, dampf\u00adfreie Formsch\u00e4um\u00adtechnologien. Diese sind besonders interessant f\u00fcr Hochleistungs\u00adschaumstoffe mit hoher Erweichungs\u00adtemperatur sowie f\u00fcr Materialien, die empfind\u00adlich auf Feuchtig\u00adkeit reagieren.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1187\" data-end=\"1441\">Beim radiowellen\u00adbasierten Form\u00adsch\u00e4umen wird die ben\u00f6tigte Energie direkt \u00fcber elektro\u00admagnetische Felder in die Partikel eingebracht. Dadurch erw\u00e4rmen sie sich von innen heraus, was sehr kurze Prozess\u00adzeiten erm\u00f6glicht und den Energie\u00adverbrauch senken kann.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243;]            <div class=\"video-element video-element--external\">\n                <div class=\"video-element__container video-element__container--responsive\">\n                     <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-container brlbs-cmpnt-content-blocker brlbs-cmpnt-with-individual-styles\" data-borlabs-cookie-content-blocker-id=\"vimeo-content-blocker\" data-borlabs-cookie-content=\"PGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnZpbWVvLmNvbS92aWRlby81MjYxNjAwMjU\/YmFkZ2U9MCZhbXA7YXV0b3BhdXNlPTAmYW1wO3BsYXllcl9pZD0wJmFtcDthcHBfaWQ9NTg0NzkiIGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyPSIwIiBhbGxvdz0iYXV0b3BsYXk7IGZ1bGxzY3JlZW47IHBpY3R1cmUtaW4tcGljdHVyZTsgY2xpcGJvYXJkLXdyaXRlOyBlbmNyeXB0ZWQtbWVkaWE7IHdlYi1zaGFyZSIgc3R5bGU9InBvc2l0aW9uOmFic29sdXRlO3RvcDowO2xlZnQ6MDt3aWR0aDoxMDAlO2hlaWdodDoxMDAlIiB0aXRsZT0iRVBQLUZvcnVtIHwgUkYtUHJvemVzcyBQYXJ0aWtlbHNjaGF1bSI+PC9pZnJhbWU+\"><div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-preset-c brlbs-cmpnt-cb-vimeo\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-thumbnail\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/borlabs-cookie\/1\/vimeo_526160025.jpg')\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-main\"> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-play-button\"><\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-content\"> <p class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-description\">You are currently viewing a placeholder content from <strong>Vimeo<\/strong>. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.<\/p> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-provider-toggle\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-show-provider-information role=\"button\">More Information<\/a> <\/div> <div class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-buttons\"> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-unblock role=\"button\">Unblock content<\/a> <a class=\"brlbs-cmpnt-cb-btn\" href=\"#\" data-borlabs-cookie-accept-service role=\"button\" style=\"display: inherit\">Accept required service and unblock content<\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div><\/div>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--tiny\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1187\" data-end=\"1441\">Trocken\u00advariothermes Form\u00adsch\u00e4umen<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1187\" data-end=\"1441\">Eine weitere Variante ist das trocken\u00advariotherme Form\u00adsch\u00e4umen. Dabei wird aus\u00adschlie\u00dflich das Werkzeug stark aufge\u00adheizt und anschlie\u00dfend wieder abgek\u00fchlt, ohne den Einsatz von Dampf. Dieses Verfahren eignet sich unter anderem daf\u00fcr, empfind\u00adliche Bau\u00adteile wie Elektronik direkt mit einzu\u00adsch\u00e4umen. Ein besonders innova\u00adtives Beispiel ist das ATECARMA\u00ae-Verfahren, bei dem beschich\u00adtete Partikel und das vario\u00adtherme Prinzip kombi\u00adniert werden. So k\u00f6nnen auch anspruchs\u00advolle Hybrid\u00adbauteile, wie zum Beispiel\u00a0Metall\u00addecklagen auf Partikel\u00adschaum, zuverl\u00e4ssig herge\u00adstellt werden.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1006&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column]    \n    <div class=\"spacer spacer--medium\"><\/div>\n    \n    [\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; section_bg_position=&#8221;section-bg&#8211;bottom-right&#8221;][vc_row row_column_class=&#8221;column-reverse&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/12&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"subheadline\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Application Areas<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span lang=\"EN-US\">Foam in All Its Diversity<\/span><\/h2>\n<div><span lang=\"EN-US\">Particle foam is used in a wide range of areas, from lightweight and energy-absorbing components in automotive, to protective packaging and technical components for electronics and sports equipment.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]  <a class=\"btn-default\" href=\"\/en\/application-areas\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"All Areas of Application\">All Areas of Application<\/a>[\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;7\/12&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;1171&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_section full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; parallax_animation=&#8221;yes&#8221; parallax_position=&#8221;center-right&#8221; section_bg_position=&#8221;section-bg&#8211;bottom-right&#8221; parallax_image=&#8221;252&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1773670857796{background-image: url(https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pfa-particle-foam-association-dots-oben-4.png?id=628) !important;}&#8221;][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Transforming Particles into Performance Particle foams are produced from plastic granules in the form of small beads. Two basic types can be distinguished: Expanded particle foams\u00a0(e.g. EPP) are supplied in the form of pre-expanded foam beads and can be processed directly into moulded [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-987","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Molded Part Production | Processing of Particle Foams<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Overview of technologies for manufacturing molded parts from particle foams \u2013 from foam bead to finished component.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/en\/processing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Molded Part Production | Processing of Particle Foams\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Overview of technologies for manufacturing molded parts from particle foams \u2013 from foam bead to finished component.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/particle-foam-association.com\/en\/processing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Particle Foam Association e. 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