PET/PS/PLA/PC Microfoam Sheet Lines
USEON provides extrusion lines for microfoam sheet: a sheet with a dense closed-cell foamed core between solid skins. Same volume, less material, ready for thermoforming.
- PET
- PLA
- PS
- PC
- Lighter than solid PET sheet of the same volume
- 30–40%
- Lower production cost of PLA foam sheet against solid sheet
- 5–30%
- Density of PLA foam sheet for thermoforming
- 0.8–1.1g/cm³
- PLA foam sheet thickness
- 0.5–1.5mm
What is microfoam sheet
A foamed core between two solid skins
The microfoam sheet has a dense closed-cell structure formed in the middle layer by precisely controlling the size of the foam. The skins stay solid, so the sheet thermoforms like a standard sheet.
Compared with an ordinary sheet, a PET microfoam sheet can reduce the weight by 30% to 40% under the same volume. This means less raw material for each tray.
Applications that do not need to be completely transparent are increasingly using microfoam sheet.
Less material per part
30–40% lighter at the same volume, so the same function uses less PET, PS, PLA or PC.
More price advantage
For PLA, the production cost could be 5–30% lower than a fully solid sheet.
Better heat insulation
The foamed central layer insulates, which suits containers for hot food.
Fully recyclable
One material from skin to core. PLA sheet is compostable under industrial composting conditions.
Four materials, one sheet structure
Typical data for each material. Talk to us for the data of your own grade.
| Material | Weight / density | Thickness | Cost | Typical products | End of life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PETMicrofoam PET | 30–40% lighter at the same volume | — | More price advantage | Thermoformed fruit trays; non-transparent packaging | Fully recyclable |
| PLAPLA foam sheet | 0.8–1.1 g/cm³, up to 40% lighter | 0.5–1.5 mm | 5–30% lower | Vacuum-formed rigid food trays; hot food containers | Compostable under industrial composting conditions |
| PSMicrofoam PS | — | — | — | — | Fully recyclable |
| PCMicrofoam PC | — | — | — | — | Fully recyclable |
PET values: USEON PET sheet guide. PLA values: USEON PLA foam sheet trials, a multi-layer structure with a physically foamed central layer. PS and PC: data on request.
From sheet to tray
Microfoam sheet goes to the same thermoforming machines as solid sheet.
Where the sheet ends up
Rigid trays and containers where the pack does not need to be fully transparent. The foamed core keeps them stiff at lower weight.
- Fruit and vegetable trays
- Vacuum-formed rigid food trays
- Containers for hot food
- Non-transparent packaging
The line
Supercritical physical foaming on a multi-layer sheet line: the core layer is foamed, both skin layers stay solid.
Line configuration
- Extruder
- On request
- Blowing agent
- On request
- Sheet width
- On request
- Output
- On request
Related lines
Development · 2021–2022
From PLA trials to an award
PLA foam sheet with a foamed central layer and solid skins: 0.5–1.5 mm, 0.8–1.1 g/cm³.
X-PLA foam sheet, 40% lighter, makes vacuum-formed rigid food trays.
PLA micro-foamed sheet shown at the Foshan Rubber and Plastics Expo.
USEON launches the PET micro-foamed sheet line and the PLA micro-foamed sheet line.
The Polymer Supercritical Foam Extrusion Production Line wins the Ringier Technology Innovation Award.
Guide and news
Know How · PET
The Ultimate Guide to PET Sheet
A-PET raw materials, IV, the microfoam sheet, and how PET sheet is produced.
Read the guide News
USEON Wins “Ringier Technology Innovation Awards 2022”
For the Polymer Supercritical Foam Extrusion Production Line.
CPPIA President’s visit to USEON
2021: the PET micro foamed sheet line and the PLA micro foamed sheet line.
To compost or not compost? – that is a big question!
X-PLA foam sheet, 40% lighter, for rigid food trays.
Foam Technology Makes PLA More Affordable
A foamed central layer cuts PLA sheet cost by 5–30%.
Get a quote
Tell us the resin, the sheet you want and the trays or containers it will become. We work back from your target weight per part to the foamed-core structure and the line.
- 01Resin, thickness & weight target
- 02Line configuration & output
- 03Sheet start-up & thermoforming check
Cliff Zhang
Head of Foam Extrusion Division
Polymer foam extrusion, extrusion machinery R&D and international business development.