Recyclable mannequins made from polypropylene foam are no dummies

An Italian manufacturer has created a mannequin manufactured from polypropylene foam to create a recyclable, lightweight and more cost-effective product.

Mannequin producer, Lideimmagine, used ARPRO, an expanded polypropylene bead foam material developed by JSP, for its new range of ‘Livelymen’. The new range has been designed to satisfy the needs of a contemporary market and has already been welcomed by a range of major retailers for their window displays.

Historically, mannequins have been made from fibreglass, which cannot be recycled. The new ARPRO-based models, however, are fully recyclable and provide a simplified and shorter production process. 

Alessandro Fongaro, Chief Executive at Lideimmagine said the company’s goal was to create “lightness, versatility and flexibility” in the new mannequins.

“This has been achieved, largely due to ARPRO and thanks to the cooperation with JSP and the moulder, IES,” explained Fongaro. “The innovative product has allowed us to look to the future in a very positive fashion and we are already working on other exciting products that will allow retailers to make much more of their mannequin displays.”

Bert Suffis, ARPRO Innovation Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “Retailers no longer have to put used mannequins in landfill sites. This new range of cost-effective and sustainable solutions is a great example of innovation to solve an industry-wide issue.  ARPRO’s simplicity of use makes it possible to achieve the required durability, weight and production speed to make a real difference for retailers. This represents a great opportunity for retailers to enhance their in-store displays with state-of-the-art mannequins.”

JSP has recently announced that it is set to increase capacity due to the material’s increasing popularity across a number of sectors. The additional 10.5 kt/a of capacity, which will be on-stream in 2018, will be located at its existing site in Cheb, in the Czech Republic, taking the ARPRO capacity in EMEA to 37.0 kt/a.