About NEPSA

NEPSA – Nordic EPS Alliance

The Nordic Expanded Polystyrene Alliance (NEPSA) is the joint platform for EPS industry collaboration in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It represents companies and partners across the value chain involved in the production, use, and recycling of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), aligning their positions in EU and international policy discussions.

NEPSA’s mission is to support responsible, circular, and performance-based use of EPS in critical applications. NEPSA does not engage in commercial promotion — its focus is on transparency, evidence, and stakeholder dialogue seeking an appropriate and sustainable use of EPS as a material and the complete integration of the material in a circular economy.

Our Purpose and Role

EPS is used in sectors fundamental to Nordic life and infrastructure — from energy-efficient construction and medical logistics to food preservation and cold-chain protection.

NEPSA exists to:

Provide credible, fact-based materials for regulators and stakeholders
Coordinate environmental and circularity efforts across borders
Clarify EPS’s role in supporting energy efficiency, food safety, and resource resilience

These contributions reflect the three core characteristics of EPS —
efficient by design, proven in practice, and secure by application —
which together define NEPSA’s framework for public communication and policy relevance.

Industry and Economic Scope

NEPSA brings together:

Raw material suppliers, converters, and recyclers
Logistics operators, technical advisors, and supporting industries
Educational and institutional partners

Across the Nordic region, over 30 companies directly produce and recycle EPS, employing more than 5,000 people. Indirectly, over 100,000 jobs depend on EPS’s performance — in construction, fisheries, transport, and healthcare.
The estimated value creation supported by EPS use and dependency exceeds €50 billion annually.

Contributions to Society

EPS products produced in the Nordic region serve critical roles in:

Building insulation, lowering energy demand and emissions
Packaging for food and pharmaceuticals, reducing spoilage and waste
Cold-chain logistics, preserving quality and safety across long distances

These functions make EPS indispensable in supporting climate-neutral goals, food system resilience, and material efficiency across sectors.

See EPS in Society for more information

Circularity and Recycling Performance

EPS is fully recyclable, and the Nordic region leads in system development:

Norway achieves nearly 90% recycling for EPS packaging
Denmark recycles over 60%
Sweden is expanding EPS take-back infrastructure with circular economy pilots

See Environmental Profile more information

NEPSA Partners

NEPSA contributes to local and international progress via collaboration with:

NEPSA outreach and stakeholder dialogue

NEPSA collaborates closely with our national association members and corporate partners to engage in meaningful dialogue with both national and international stakeholders. In all international discussions, we represent and advocate on behalf of our members.

We are officially registered as lobbyists and recognized observers at: