Packaging Foam

Custom Cut Packaging Foam

You can also order our HLB packaging foam custom cut to various shapes and sizes. Here are just a few of the popular templates our customers use to order custom foam packaging.

If you can’t see the shape that you’re looking for, be sure to check our foam cut to size homepage for our full collection. You can also choose the Custom Shape option, to upload your own template for us to work from.

Start by selecting an appropriate shape, then enter your required dimensions, select HLB packaging foam and follow the proceeding steps to place your order. If you have any questions about our custom cut foam packaging services, please contact us directly.

Packaging Insert



Packaging Block



Packaging Cylinder



Custom Packaging Shape

Why Choose Us As Your Packaging Foam Supplier?

We’ve been in the foam industry for more than 40 years! GB Foam was established back in 1976, originally as a means to supply foam to the historically famous High Wycombe furniture trade. Today, our services cater to more than 25 unique industries worldwide. We’ve devised foam packaging solutions for some of the world’s biggest brands; ranging from retail to the automotive industry.

All our foam products are manufactured entirely within our UK based factory, adhering to strict ISO 9001 quality control specifications. We source the very best foam materials from the world’s leading manufacturers to bring our customers the most effective and versatile selection online.

Our factory is equipped with the latest in foam cutting technology. This gives us the ability to offer you a wide range of foam packaging types made to your exact preference. Whether you simply require packaging foam sheets or professionally routed packaging foam inserts, we can help you!

GB Foam Direct offers next day delivery on orders placed Monday – Thursday before 11:00 AM. This makes us the fastest foam supplier online in the UK. We understand that it’s not convenient to be waiting around to receive your order. That’s why we take steps to ensure that our turnaround is as fast and efficient as possible.

Who Uses Our Packaging Foam Services?

Our foam packaging services are suitable for a multitude of different applications. People from all walks of life come to us seeking packaging solutions. From bespoke foam inserts for one-off items to packaging for retail purposes, we can help you to find the very best packaging foam for the job.

Whatever item you need to be packaged, we will endeavour to provide a foam product suitable for the job. We often create custom foam trays cut to exact specifications. This type of foam packaging can be used within hard cases, on industrial assembly lines, inside tool chests, inside retail packaging, display cases and far more. Ultimately, they all produce the same result. They securely house items and help to protect them through daily activity.

When to Use Foam Packaging with Your Item

Whether you’re posting items, taking them away with you, or putting them into storage, foam packaging is a great way to help protect them. Certain types of items can benefit more than others from foam packaging. This is especially the case for fragile, valuable, highly important, or irreplaceable items. Here are 9 types of items that we think can benefit from foam packaging.

9 Types of Items to Use with Foam Packaging

1. Packaging for Glass – As we all know, glass can be a vulnerable item with a high risk of breaking. If a fragile glass item is dropped, it is likely to smash and shatter into many pieces. A piece of foam packaging could help to prevent this.

2. Food Packaging – Certain pieces of food can also benefit from foam packaging. If food is being delivered, a suitable foam packaging can help to hold it in place, thus preventing it from being ruined.

3. Packaging for Lighting – As lighting contains both metal and glass, it is important to protect it using a suitable form of packaging. Our foam packaging can help to stop pieces of metal lighting from damaging glass bulbs.

4. Packaging for Art – Art comes in various shapes and sizes, which means you need a versatile material to package it. We sell various types of foam packaging suitable for many different applications and can even create custom pieces for anything uniquely shaped.

5. Ceramics Packaging – Ceramics are another type of item that is vulnerable to breaking. Cracks, chips and even shattering can occur if a ceramic item is not sufficiently and properly packaged.

6. Medical Supplies Packaging – Certain types of medical items require extra protection when being moved or shipped. In some cases, they also need to be well insulated. Our Plastazote foam has good thermal insulation and a high impact threshold to help assure this.

7. Fragile Plastic – Some hard plastic, particularly injection moulded pieces can be at risk of breaking. Help prevent this by using suitable foam packaging.

8. Appliances – Packaging your appliances in foam is worthwhile to help prevent damage. Heavy appliances can become scratched, dented or even break when being moved.

9. Special Items – Some specialty items that are particularly important or fragile can benefit from the protection of foam. In certain situations, we can create a run of custom foam trays for items such as tools, machine parts, and other intrinsic pieces.

Please note that these are only examples of items that can benefit from foam packaging. Practically any item is better off with the protection that foam offers. If you would like to discuss how to appropriately package a certain item, our team of foam experts are at hand to give you advice.

Packaging Foam Specifications

GB HLB – Packaging Foam Specifications

CHARACTERISTIC	SPECIFICATION	TEST METHOD
APPARENT PIECE DENSITY	20 – 22 Kg/m3	BS EN ISO 845 : 2009 (ISO 845 : 2006)
NOMINAL HARDNESS	215-290 Newtons	BS EN ISO 2439:METHOD B 2008

 

Plastazote LD33 Specifications

CHARACTERISTIC	SPECIFICATION	TEST METHOD
APPARENT DENSITY	33 (nominal) Kg/m³	BS EN ISO 7214:2012
CELL SIZE (DIAMETER)	0.4mm	Internal
COMPRESSION STRESS-STRAIN
25% Compression	66 kPA	BS EN ISO 7214:2012 (25 mm cell-cell)
50 Compression	133 kPA	BS EN ISO 7214:2012 (25 mm cell-cell)
TENSILE STRENGTH	419 kPA %	BS EN ISO 7214:2012
TENSILE ELONGATION	149 kPA %	BS EN ISO 7214:2012
COMPRESSION SET
25% Comp., 22hr, 23°C
½ hr recovery	8 % Set	BS EN ISO 7214:2012 (25 mm cell-cell)
24 hr recovery	3 % Set	BS EN ISO 7214:2012 (25 mm cell-cell)
TEAR STRENGTH	1823 N/m	BS EN ISO 8067:2008 Method B
SHORE HARDNESS OO SCALE	58	BS EN ISO 868:2003
MAX OPERATING TEMP.	95°C	Internal
FLAMMABILITY AUTOMOTIVE	<100mm/min	FMVSS.302 – Burn rate
WATER ABSORPTION	<1%	ISO 2896:2001 Ed3.
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY	0.039 W/mK	ISO 8301:1991
Mean Temperature 10°C

Which Packaging Foam to Choose?

Foam is a fantastic material that offers a multitude of benefits. We sit on it during the day and sleep on it throughout the night. It can be used to create props and can even help to improve the quality of sound we perceive. One of its more popular uses is protecting items. Packaging foam comes in all manner of sizes and various types. As such, it can sometimes be difficult to know which type of foam packaging is right for you.

We’re here to help you make the best decision! Below you will find all the unique types of packaging foam we offer. If you would like to know more about a specific type of foam packaging, feel free to contact a member of our team. We will be happy to advise on packaging foam suitability for your intended application. Call 01494 441177, email sales@gbfoam.com or fill out our contact form to get in touch.

Closed Cell Foam – Plastazote

Plastazote is a unique type of polyethylene foam. This closed cell foam is incredibly durable, yet flexible. It has a high impact threshold which makes it ideal for protecting many items of significance. This type of packaging foam can also be easily cut to house a range of items securely. It can often be found used as case inserts for a vast array of items including tools, machine components, weaponry, camera equipment, various electronics, and other important items. Plastazote is an odourless foam with a low water absorption rate and a high level of chemical resilience. It can be easily wiped clean, is non-toxic and exhibits good thermal insulation.

Anti-Static Packaging Foam

Anti-Static Packaging Foam (Sometimes referred to as ESD Foam) is a specialist foam packaging used to protect electrical items. For electrical equipment of high value or importance, this foam packaging is a must. It helps to dissipate electrostatic charges which can build over time and interfere with components within electronic devices. Anti-static foam is pink in colour. This helps to signify its unique attributes.

Specialist Pyramid Packaging Foam

In an effort to replace the less effective egg crate style foam trays, we’ve developed a specialist pyramid packaging foam tray design. Our pyramid foam trays boast enhanced protection and greater durability than their egg crate style counterpart. They are manufactured using advanced foam cutting machinery. This helps to ensure that each pyramid is consistently cut to absolute precision, meaning your important items will always stay safe. Pyramid style packaging foam trays have extended points that help to better secure items in place. When compared to egg crate style trays, the superiority of our pyramid style trays is clear.

Ethafoam

Ethafoam (also known as Stratocell foam) is an incredibly durable and flexible closed cell foam that is ideal for packaging practically any object of your choosing. This polyethylene foam is capable of withstanding high levels of impact due to its high shock absorption value. To protect items of value, it can be cut to unique shapes that securely hold your item of choice. As well as high shock absorption, this foam boasts a high chemical resistance, low water absorption rate, good insulation value and is entirely odourless. It is an exceptionally strong foam that is impervious to bacteria and mildew. Ethafoam is non-abrasive, non-dusting, CFC free and recyclable.

Coloured Packaging Foam

Sometimes we want our packaging foam to do more than simply protect our items. In certain situations, your foam packaging can benefit from standing out. Here at GB Foam, we can match some foam grades to almost any RAL or Pantone colour. We’ve previously helped to create coloured packaging foam for several prolific brands. This foam can be used to both protect and showcase items for the retail market or for items used at promotional events. If you would like to know more about which types of our foam packaging can be colour matched, please contact a member of our team.

Polyethylene Packaging Foam Wrap Rolls

We also offer foam wrap rolls, created from lightweight closed cell polyethylene foam. It is perfect for packaging a vast number of items to protect them through transit or keep them safe in storage. Our foam wrap can be used to protect items from scratching, scuffing and from damage caused through impact. Due to its flexibility, foam wrap can easily conform to any shape of your choosing and even protects against water damage due to its water-resistive properties. It can be easily cut using regular hand scissors and can even be reused multiple times.

Foam Crumb

We like don’t like waste here at GB Foam. As such, we crumb any new offcuts of foam so that they can be repurposed. Foam crumb is often used as a small cushion or bean bag filling to provide added levels of comfort over traditional fillings. However, it can also be used as packaging for additional item protection. This foam packaging shouldn’t be used for fragile items and those of high importance or value. Although, it is a great choice for items that can benefit from some added protection in storage or through general transit.

Packaging Foam Sheets

Our GB HLB Packaging Foam Sheet is a versatile foam that can be used to protect many items in day-to-day life. It can be used within flight cases, toolboxes, briefcases or even cardboard boxes. Available in sheets of 230cm x 200cm or 230cm x 100cm, you can cut this foam to the desired preference to protect and secure any item of your choosing.

Contact Our Team to Discuss Packaging Foam Solutions

Want to know more about how our foam packaging can benefit you? Why not contact us today and speak to one of our foam experts? We will happily offer any advice and guidance you may need to determine which of our packaging foam types is right for you. Call us on 01494 441177, send an email to sales@gbfoam.com or fill out our online contact form.

Packaging Foam FAQs

To help you find the best foam packaging to help protect your items, we’ve put together a list of questions frequently asked by our customers. If the answer to your question is not below, one of our packing foam experts will be happy to assist you further.

What is HLB Packaging Foam?

HLB Packaging Foam is a flexible polyurethane foam rubber, designed to offer superior resilience and withstand impact. This is a lightweight foam that offers excellent levels of protection. HLB stands for High Load Bearing.

What Types of Foam are Used for Packaging?

Three of the most common types of foam that are used for packaging are polyurethane, polyethylene and expanded polystyrene foam. Here at GB Foam Direct, we specialise in both polyurethane and polyethylene foam for packaging.

Do You Offer Coloured Packaging Foam?

As standard, we stock foam suitable for packaging in black, white and grey colours. If you would like to discuss coloured packaging, please contact a member of our team to find out what options are available to you.

Is Foam Packaging Anti-Static?

Foam is not always anti-static, but there are anti-static foam options available. This type of foam is suitable for helping to protect sensitive electronic equipment that could become irreparably damaged by static charges.

Is Packaging Foam Easy to Cut?

With the right tools, the packaging foam we offer is easy to work with and can be cut down to shape and size. However, if you’re looking for a professional finish, why not consider using our foam cut to size service? You can also contact our team to discuss your requirements, as we can offer certain bespoke products such as custom foam inserts.

Is Foam Good for Packaging?

Yes, there are many types of foam that are good for packaging purposes. Foam can be easily shaped, making it perfect for housing many different types of objects. Polyurethane and polyethylene foams are also flexible materials, capable of high levels of impact absorption.