2025-09-22 In manufacturing, EPS stands for Expanded Polystyrene, a versatile lightweight foam material created by expanding polystyrene beads using steam and pressure. This rigid, closed-cell foam is widely used in packaging, construction insulation, and product manufacturing due to its excellent thermal insulation properties (R-value of 3.6-4.2 per inch), light weight (typically 1-2 pounds per cubic foot), and cost-effectiveness (20-30% less expensive than alternative materials).