EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)

Also called: Ethylene vinyl acetate, EVA foam

EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) is a soft, rubbery copolymer used in footwear foam, films and hot-melts, recycled mainly from footwear and sheet scrap.

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The vinyl acetate (VA) content controls its properties: higher VA makes it softer, more flexible and more rubber-like. EVA is widely used in foamed form. It falls under resin code 7 (other).

Recycled forms traded

• Footwear foam sheet offcuts and sole trims.
• Film and sheet scrap, including solar encapsulant and lamination waste.
• Ground EVA foam, regrind and recycled granules.

Why it matters when buying recycled plastic

• Much EVA foam is crosslinked and cannot be remelted like normal thermoplastics; it is usually ground and reused as a filler. Ask whether the scrap is crosslinked.
• Ask for the approximate VA content, since it affects softness and compatibility with LDPE.
• Check Shore hardness and density for footwear applications.

Common uses

Footwear soles and slippers, foam mats, packaging foam, hot-melt adhesives, films and cable compounds. It is often blended with polyethylene or TPR.

For best results, keep EVA lots separated by source, colour and hardness, and request a moulded or pressed sample to judge feel and finish.