Closed-Cell Polyethylene Foam: Volara Foam Uses and Benefits

What makes volara foam ideal for your manufacturing projects?

Volara foam is medical-grade, closed-cell, cross-linked polyethylene foam that is often identified as the best option for projects that require tight sealing or reliable insulation. Understanding its many benefits is a critical part of the selection process when it comes time to plan and design your next manufacturing project.

Throughout this article, we’ve outlined what volara foam is, the most common projects it’s used for, and why so many clients choose volara, as well as other closed-cell polyethylenes, for projects ranging from the medical industry to electronics and packaging.

1. What is Closed-Cell Foam?
2. Volara Foam Uses
3. Volara Foam Benefits
4. Medical Manufacturing Capabilities
5. How Janco Can Help

What is closed-cell foam?

Closed-cell foam describes a type of foam that is made up of cells that are completely closed. All polyethylene foams begin as a thermoplastic, which is then blown into a foam format. Once converted, the foam is known for its high durability and versatility.

Volara is one of our most popular closed-cell polyethylene foams thanks to its range of unique benefits including its flexibility and chemical resistance. Volara foam is cross-linked using a unique electron irradiation process that produces a continuous, smooth surface.

For medical products, Volara is ideal because it’s both FDA-compliant and non-toxic, containing no chlorofluorocarbon, hydrochlorofluorocarbon, or hydrocarbon-blowing agents.

Volara Foam Uses

Volara foam is frequently used for medical device packaging, but it’s also popular through other industries. We start every job, regardless of industry, by helping you decide on the right foam for your unique needs. If volara is the best fit, you have a high degree of input throughout the design process of your product.

All of our projects are custom jobs. This means that whether we’re taking the lead on design or working with ideas or specs that you’ve provided, you have options when it comes to the thickness and color of the foam used.

Our team most often uses volara foam to manufacture:

• Medical device packaging
• A wide range of athletic equipment, including:
  • Shin guards
  • Insoles
  • Protective padding

When clients come to us with a project, our first job is to make recommendations that will add value throughout the process. Our team uses our decades of experience to assess your plans for manufacturability and make suggestions that will ensure the best result.

Volara Foam Benefits

Volara polyethylene foam is notable for offering:

• Chemical resistance
• Low water absorption
• Low vapor transmission
• Vibration dampening
• Thermal insulation

Medical Manufacturing Capabilities

All medical manufacturing projects at Janco are completed in our innovative ISO 14644-1 class 7 or 8 cleanrooms. We’ve recently completed work on a new class 8 cleanroom dubbed “The Foam Center of Excellence”, which boasts capabilities to machine complex, custom parts, and products.

Volara foam is used in projects across several medical manufacturing capabilities, including:

• Compression molding
• Thermoforming
• Die cutting

Our team has rigorous quality assurance processes including frequent audits, both internal and independent, as well as from the FDA. Our medical manufacturing division is certified to ISO 13485 and FDA registered.

The medical device and packaging inspection staff in our facilities perform thorough validation testing in accordance with ASTM, ISO, or custom standards, depending on your projects.

Have a project that needs Volara foam?

For over six decades, we’ve helped clients across several industries manufacture high-quality products and packaging.

Janco is here to help however you need us, whether you already have custom design specs ready to go or require guidance from a team of experts.

Our team keeps up to 35 different grades and thicknesses of Volara foam stocked for your projects, allowing us to accommodate a diverse range of products and projects within your tight timelines. Reach out to learn how we can help bring your next project to life.