1. Polystyrene foam peanuts

2. Starch-based packing peanuts

3. Robert E. Holden

4. See also

5. References
    General references 

Polystyrene foam peanuts

Polystyrene-based packing peanuts were developed and patented by Tektronix Inc.^[2] They were made commercially available circa 1965 by Dow Chemical. Originally made from 100% virgin polystyrene resin, peanuts made from 100% recycled polystyrene have been commercially available since the mid-90s. The color and shape sometimes indicate what it is made of and who made it. Often green is 70% or possibly more recycled polystyrene, white is 70% or more virgin resin and pink means an antistatic agent has been applied; although there are some variations. The most common shapes are similar to a "S", "figure 8" or "W".^[3] Foam peanuts are very light (usually around 3 grams per litre/0.17 to 0.2 lb per cu ft) and easy to use.

Polystyrene peanuts may be used and reused many times with little or no loss in protection for the product shipped. They may be reused and recycled at many packing and shipping stores. Because of their build-up, polystyrene peanuts may also be used for various methods of home insulation, although it is not recommended because they are not flame retardant. ^[4]

Starch-based packing peanuts

In the early 1990s, starch-based packing peanuts were developed as a more environment-friendly alternative. The starch in the peanuts comes from crop-based sources rather than petroleum-based polystyrene, and is non-toxic. One of the first brands of biodegradable peanuts, Biofoam, is made from the grain sorghum;^[5] other brands are made from corn starch.^[6] Biodegradable foam peanuts have no electrostatic charge, another benefit over polystyrene. Being biodegradable and nontoxic, they are also safe for humans and pets if ingested accidentally.{{fact|date=February 2018}} However, they are not produced in food-safe conditions, and are not recommended for eating. Also, during the manufacturing process, the nutritional value is removed from starch-based packing peanuts. This removes edible components, such as sugars, that would otherwise attract rodents and bugs.^[7] Their main drawbacks compared with polystyrene are lower resilience, higher weight (6.5 to 13 g per litre/0.4 to 0.8 lb per cubic foot), dust creation, potential attraction of rodents, and higher price. Starch-based peanuts are soluble in water, and polystyrene peanuts are soluble in acetone, but not vice versa.^[8] Starch based products can be disposed with down the sink, dissolving on contact with the water.

Robert E. Holden

The invention of packing peanuts is often attributed to Robert E. Holden, however very little is known about the inventor. To facilitate the creation of the packing peanut, Holden also invented an apparatus that would help to cut and expand plastic members through a steaming process. By feeding plastic strips through the device, it would create the foamy cellular structure that is the trademark of the classic packing peanuts. It also allowed the plastic to be created in such a way that they would interlock, providing a more secure shipping solution.^[9]

See also

• Cushioning
• Packaging and labeling

References

General references

• Yam, K. L., Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 2009, {{ISBN|978-0-470-08704-6}}

• Coat of arms of Miskolc
• Coat of arms of Mogiła
• Coat of arms of Moldavia
• Coat of Arms of Moldova
• Coat of Arms of Monaco
• Coat of arms of Monako
• Coat of arms of Moncton
• Coat of Arms of Mongolia
• Coat of Arms of Montenegro
• Coat of arms of Montenegro
• Coat of Arms of Montreal
• Coat of arms of Montserrat
• Coat of Arms of Morocco
• Coat of arms of Morocco
• Coat of Arms of Moscow
• Coat of arms of Moscow
• Coat of arms of Mumbai
• Coat of arms of Munich
• Coat of arms of Munster
• Coat of Arms of Myanmar
• Coat of arms of Mądrostki
• Coat of arms of Nabram
• Coat of arms of Nakhchivan
• Coat of arms of Nakhichevan
• Coat of arms of Namibia