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Abstract In this review, a summary is provided of the manufacturing process for syndiotactic polystyrene together with an overview of applications of syndiotactic polystyrenes, including selected examples of typical applications. The manufacturing process of syndiotactic polystyrene, consists of several basic sections: catalyst premix preparation, monomer treatment, polymerization reaction using a powder bed reactor together with an evaporative cooling system, devolatilization and extrusion, and finally finishing, including cooling and crystallization of the strands. This process is suitable for providing a wide range of syndiotactic polystyrenes comprising homopolymers, with a broad range of melt flow rates as well as copolymers of various comonomer contents, leading to products with various melting temperatures. Essential relationships and correlations of the separate process stages are demonstrated, in addition to useful analytical methods to control the process. These polymers' unique combination of heat resistance, chemical resistance, and electrical properties has led to their successful application in automotive, electrical and electronics, consumer and industrial uses. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 25:141–151, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/adv.20069