The Tigard, Ore.-based firm is receiving a $50,000 grant from the Foam Recycling Coalition, which is part of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

The grant money will be used to purchase a densifier, which is used to compress expanded PS, taking out the air and allowing for more efficient storage and processing.

"Companies like Agilyx provide the processing we need to help increase foam recycling across the country. Their efforts mean these valuable materials are able to be recycled in the communities they serve instead of going to landfills," said FPI President Lynn Dyer in a statement.

Agilyx previously used pyrolysis to process mixed plastic wastes, but ultimately found that not to be economical. The company now has narrowed its focus on PS with an eye toward using the same process to create recycled "styrene oil" to supply styrene manufacturers.