The movie industry relies on polystyrene to build sets and props, with the material’s inherent advantages making it a popular choice among movie art directors and production designers. Polystyrene is ideal for creating oversized props such as statues and columns, as well as miniature landscapes.

Apart from its lightweight and moisture resistant characteristics, polystyrene is also long lasting, easy to transport and easy to work with; the material has long been used to create magical sets and special effects in several movies that have captured the imagination of viewers of all ages.

For instance, five 32-ton trucks of polystyrene were needed to create all the rubble for the battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Many of the sets and scenes on The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded 2 were carved in polystyrene using hot wire design methods. The bulk of the Zion Temple set was built from polystyrene.

In Night at the Museum II, polystyrene was used to create moon craters and rock sets as well as many of the larger-than-life figures.

Foamex is one of Australia’s largest polystyrene manufacturers, supplying high quality Australian made, expanded and extruded polystyrene.

Image: Five 32-ton trucks of polystyrene were needed to create all the rubble for the battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2