Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
5bdcd88c5dd847bcaceb8d38fda037e2
Materials
Associated ID
93ca6b39-df10-4d61-af46-bd27c521646e
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
Polystyrene can be used in fields such as electronics, medical devices, food packaging, and household products; this dataset includes primary raw materials, auxiliary materials, energy use, atmospheric emissions, water discharges, and waste generated during the production process; infrastructure such as production equipment and factory construction is not included within the system boundary of the dataset; the life cycle inventory data are sourced from literature; the polystyrene production process includes steps such as raw material preparation, polymerization, monomer removal, filtration and separation, washing, and drying.
Activity Description
The production activities of this product include processes such as raw material preparation, polymerization, monomer removal, filtration and separation, washing with water, and drying.
Process Description
Polystyrene (PS) is a thermoplastic, non-crystalline resin produced by polymerizing styrene monomers via suspension polymerization or other synthesis methods. PS is mainly categorized into general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS, commonly known as crystal polystyrene), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS, commonly known as modified polystyrene), and expandable polystyrene (EPS). General-purpose polystyrene is a thermoplastic resin, appearing as colorless, odorless, tasteless, and lustrous transparent beads or granular solid, primarily used in electronics, medical, food packaging, and household products.
Time period
2020
2026
Geography
China
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
General-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) is produced by dispersing styrene in water within a reactor and polymerizing it in the presence of initiators and suspending agents. Styrene monomers, along with processing aids, are fed into the reactor. Small amounts of ethylbenzene or toluene may also be added to control the polymerization rate. From the reactor where bulk polymerization occurs, the polystyrene stream undergoes devolatilization, separating the polymer from residual monomers using a solvent. White mineral oil is added to the finished polymer to prevent it from sticking to molds and to improve other physical properties. The polymer is then pelletized.