Info@EnStyro.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Equipment
Where can I purchase foam shredding equipment?
Enstyro builds and ships foam shredding equipment in the US. Please contact us for a quote.
What size equipment do I need?
The 5 HP foam shredder works for EPS at any size range and works great for tougher foams like memory foam and polyethylene foam shredded to moderate sizes. The 3 HP shredder is large enough for EPS at sizes 3/16” and up. Tougher foams and shredding to small particles will benefit from the 10 HP Enstyro shredder.
Where is the equipment built?
Enstyro foam shredding equipment is built in Iowa, which is about the middle of the US. We ship equipment around the world.
What power do I need?
Our shredders will be set for your electric power supply at the factory before shipping. We build foam shredders for single phase 220 volt electric supply and for 3 phase set for the voltage available at your facility.
How much shredded foam can the Enstyro shredder produce per hour?
That will depend on the foam type, shredder horsepower, and screen insert size. EPS shredded through a 3/16” screen can achieve up to 4 yards per hour with a 3 HP foam shredder.
Do I need supplied airflow (a dust collector) with this equipment?
Absolutely. This equipment was designed for foam and uses supplied airflow rather than gravity to move the foam through the system.
Can I get a quote for foam shredding equipment?
Yes — please email info@enstyro.com with your location and details about your foam type and we will send a quote.
Can I send in foam for a trial run?
Yes. Enstyro has a laboratory and we are happy to do a trial run on your specific foam.
The Enstyro Separator
Do I need the Enstyro separator to make concrete aggregate from EPS?
It helps if you are concerned about maintaining compression strength. Removing the smallest particles reduces demand for water and thus helps maintain strength.
Do I need the Enstyro separator to make packing peanuts?
It depends on the type of foam you will be shredding. Shredding polyethylene foam and tough polyurethanes doesn’t necessarily require a separator. With EPS and brittle foams, there are more fine particles generated and most people don’t want those small particles as packing peanuts.
Foam & Material
Where can I purchase shredded foam for my project?
Enstyro can ship you shredded foam at the precise size range that you need for your project, but be advised that the cost of shipping will be more than the material cost.
How can I sell foam that I shredded?
A local and repetitive buyer is important to success since shipping costs are based on volume rather than weight. Local foam to a consistent local consumer makes for an outstanding foam recycling business.
Lightweight EPS Concrete
How do I make lightweight concrete?
That really depends on how light you want to make the concrete. Start with a great mix design and begin replacing heavy aggregate with shredded and sized EPS. Replacing most of the gravel with EPS at 3/32”–3/8” Enstyro shred is a good way to cut up to 40% of the total weight while maintaining decent strength.
Why should I use EPS concrete instead of aerated?
Aerated concrete has small air pockets or bubbles left behind that can accumulate water over time. EPS is water resistant so there is less uptake of water. A slightly aerated cement mixed with shredded EPS as an aggregate is an excellent way to produce very light concrete.
Does lightweight concrete have better R-value than normal concrete?
Yes. Standard concrete has almost no insulation value. As concrete is made lighter, the R-value increases.
Does lightweight concrete have the same strength as normal concrete?
No. As concrete is made lighter, the compression strength is reduced. Enstyro can help optimize the strength with well-sized particles that are rough enough to grip the cement paste and not so small as to interfere with strength from an appropriate water-to-cement ratio.
Other
Do you supply aggregate for the concrete canoe competition?
Yes. We have been supplying shredded EPS to concrete canoe teams since 2013. We do ask that they pay for shipping.
Contact EnStyro if you have a question that isn’t answered here.