Plastic & Foam Materials

United Thermoforming has the ability to thermoform almost any plastic or foam material that can be molded. Our unique ability to combine rigid plastics and foams allows us to transform simple thermoformed trays and packages into highly protective cushioned packaging. This unique solution provides both shock and vibration protection throughout the distribution chain, while permitting sterilization for items such as hip implants.

The use of clear, thermoformed plastics creates a protective plastic shell and facilitates item identification and retrieval while engineered compression molded foam retainers enable a single tray or package design to accommodate different products. This reduces tooling costs and the need to inventory multiple-sized packaging components.

United Theromoforming can adapt current packaging to future product designs by using a standardized base tray or package along with modified foam inserts, saving time and money. Additionally, a wide variety of foam colors can add a bold, distinctive look to a package, enhancing brand recognition.

Listed below are some of the more common plastic materials used in our thermoforming operation.

ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Stryrene)
A thermoplastic known for lightness, rigidity and moldability. It comes in conductive and anti static grades, and is often used for material handling applications and housings for computer systems.

APET
Amorphous polyester material, rigid and clear, typically used for high volume, thin gauge packaging.

HDPE
High-density polyethylene has excellent durability and strength properties allowing high impact resistance at low temperatures.  It is resistant to most chemicals, solvents, grease, and oil and is also available for FDA compliance.

Kydex®
A brand of thermoplastic products from Kleerdex Company, LLG. It's an extremely durable combination of acrylic and PVC that can be formed or molded into a range of thicknesses and grades. Advantages include rigidity, impact strength, light weight and chemical resistance.

OPS
Oriented Polystyrene offers superior clarity and strength. Its stiffness allows it to be down-gauged with excellent processing capabilities. FDA grades are available for food contact, and it is recyclable.

PETE
Polyethylene Terephthalate is clear, tough, and has excellent gas and moisture barrier properties. It's commonly used in soft drink bottles, injection molded consumer product containers, and both food and non-food containers.

PETG
A clear, tough, thermoplastic material that is easy to thermoform. It is ideal for medical applications because it stands up to radiation and chemical sterilization techniques without changing color.

Polycarbonate
A typically clear thermoplastic used for high temperature applications such as shatterproof windows, lightweight eyeglass lenses, and strong food service containers.

Polypropylene
A strong material with excellent chemical resistance and a high melting point, excellent for hot-fill liquids, flexible rigid packaging, and large molded parts for automotive and consumer products.

Polystyrene
A versatile, economical thermoplastic that can be rigid or foamed. Clear, hard and brittle, it is often used for packaging, containers, trays, and light duty material handling.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Polyvinyl Chloride is a durable, high impact, material that is rigid but resists cracking. It has excellent clarity and can be tinted or colored. It is available in utility grade as well as food, static dissipative and medical grades. It can be sterilized, RF welded, and heat sealed.