Polystyrene
The polystyrene resin supplied by Chelora Chemicals — a clear, rigid or impact-modified styrenic resin used across packaging, disposables and insulation — exported from Indonesia as virgin pellet with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Polystyrene is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the resin's amorphous structure, how rubber modification changes its performance, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Polystyrene is an amorphous thermoplastic built from the styrene monomer, whose bulky aromatic ring prevents the chain from folding into any ordered crystalline structure at all — unlike the semi-crystalline polyolefins, polystyrene is entirely amorphous, which is the direct source of its glass-like optical clarity in general-purpose grade and its characteristically brittle fracture behaviour.
At room temperature general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) is supplied as a clear, water-white pellet, while high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) — which incorporates a dispersed rubber phase, typically polybutadiene, to blunt crack propagation — is supplied as an opaque white pellet. Both process easily on standard injection-moulding, extrusion sheet and foam-extrusion equipment.
Where it fits in the value chain
GPPS's clarity and rigidity make it the preferred resin for clear disposable cups, cutlery, CD/DVD cases and point-of-sale display packaging, and it is also expanded with a blowing agent into expanded or extruded polystyrene foam for food packaging and building insulation. HIPS trades some of that clarity and rigidity for substantially better impact resistance, making it the preferred resin for appliance housings, toys, and disposable food-service items such as yoghurt cups and cutlery where some impact resistance is wanted without the cost of an engineering resin.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Polystyrene in general-purpose (GPPS) and high-impact (HIPS, in a range of rubber contents) grades across standard melt-flow-rate ranges for injection moulding, sheet extrusion and foam applications. Each grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis covering melt flow rate, density and, for HIPS, rubber content.
How Polystyrene is produced
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Polystyrene is produced by free-radical polymerisation of styrene monomer, typically in a continuous bulk or solution process using a thermal or peroxide initiator, with unreacted monomer stripped and recycled at the end of the reactor train. Styrene itself, the building-block monomer, is manufactured by catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene, which is produced by Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with ethylene — tying polystyrene's feedstock chain back to the same aromatic and olefin building blocks used across the wider petrochemical industry.
High-impact polystyrene is made by dissolving polybutadiene rubber in the styrene monomer feed before polymerisation begins: as the styrene polymerises, the rubber phase separates out into finely dispersed droplets grafted at their surface to the growing polystyrene matrix, a morphology engineered during polymerisation itself (rather than by later mechanical blending) to give the dispersed rubber particles that blunt crack propagation and give HIPS its impact resistance.
Industries and processes that use it
Polystyrene is consumed across food-service disposables, rigid packaging, appliance housings and insulation foam. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Food-Service Disposables
Injection-moulded or thermoformed into clear cups, cutlery and lids (GPPS) and impact-resistant cups, trays and cutlery (HIPS).
Rigid Packaging & Display
Extruded into sheet for thermoformed clamshell packaging, and injection-moulded into CD/DVD cases and point-of-sale display fixtures.
Appliance Housings & Toys
HIPS injection-moulded into appliance housings, electronics casings and toys, where impact resistance is needed without the cost of an engineering resin.
Foam Insulation & Food Packaging
Expanded with a blowing agent into EPS/XPS foam for building insulation board, and foamed food trays and protective packaging.
How the resin is typically converted forward
The amorphous structure, and the presence or absence of a rubber phase, governs almost all of Polystyrene's further processing behaviour. The categories below account for most of the ways it is converted into a finished part.
Injection Moulding
Melted and injected into a mould cavity under pressure to form clear (GPPS) or impact-resistant (HIPS) parts such as cups, cutlery and housings.
Sheet Extrusion & Thermoforming
Extruded into flat sheet, then reheated and vacuum- or pressure-formed over a mould to produce clamshells, trays and cups.
Foam Extrusion / Expansion
Combined with a physical or chemical blowing agent and expanded, either by pre-expanding beads (EPS) or direct foam extrusion (XPS), to form low-density insulation and packaging foam.
Rubber-Phase Grafting (HIPS Manufacture)
Polybutadiene rubber dissolved in the styrene feed separates into dispersed, matrix-grafted particles as polymerisation proceeds, engineering the impact-resistant morphology directly into the resin.
Polystyrene against related feedstock and polyolefin products we supply
Buyers sourcing polystyrene resin often also need the aromatic and olefin feedstocks its monomer is built from, or a related commodity resin. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polystyrene | 9003-53-6 | Amorphous styrenic resin | The product on this page — a clear or impact-modified resin for packaging and disposables. |
| Benzene | 71-43-2 | Aromatic hydrocarbon | The aromatic feedstock alkylated with ethylene to make ethylbenzene, the precursor to styrene monomer — see its product page. |
| Ethylene | 74-85-1 | Olefin monomer | The olefin feedstock alkylated with benzene to make ethylbenzene, the precursor to styrene monomer — see its product page. |
| Polypropylene | 9003-07-0 | Stereoregular polyolefin | A related commodity resin used in overlapping rigid-packaging applications — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and processing specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Polystyrene.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Not classified as hazardous under GHS in solid pellet form.
Combustible; pellets and especially fine dust can support combustion once ignited, and foam grades burn readily if not treated with a flame retardant.
Minimise accumulation of polymer dust/fines, which present a greater ignition risk than pellets.
Processing equipment handles the resin molten; standard hot-surface and fume-extraction precautions apply at the extruder.
Standard gloves and eye protection are sufficient for routine handling of pellets.
Residual styrene monomer is controlled to a low level and checked against food-contact limits where relevant.
Not classified; refer to the batch MSDS for grade-specific guidance.
This product has a low hazard profile in its solid pellet form and is not classified as hazardous under GHS. The principal handling precautions concern combustible-dust accumulation from fines generated during conveying and bagging, standard hot-surface precautions during melt processing, and, where foam-grade resin is converted on site, the flammability of unretarded foam. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a dry, ambient-temperature warehouse, out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, since prolonged UV and heat exposure can discolour the resin and degrade its processing behaviour. Keep bags sealed to prevent moisture pickup and contamination with other resin grades. Re-check melt flow rate and residual monomer content on material held past its retest date before processing.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Polystyrene leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, colour and key physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Polystyrene used for?+
02What is the difference between GPPS and HIPS?+
03How is Polystyrene produced?+
04What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Polystyrene hazardous?+
06Why is HIPS tougher than GPPS if both are polystyrene?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply the benzene and ethylene feedstocks used to make styrene monomer as well?+
Need Polystyrene on spec, on time?
Send us your required grade (GPPS/HIPS), melt flow rate, application and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.