EXIE

What is the Exie Board?

Bart: "The Exie Board (fibreboard insulation panels) is a magnesium oxide board mined directly from mines. It is a virgin material that can be reused. The magnesium oxide is pressed and is 100% additive-free. This offers an alternative in a vapour open situation, both indoors and outdoors. The magnesium oxide is pressed so hard that it is very pressure-resistant and has a high stiffness factor so that the board is often used as a (load-bearing) wall. Exie Board is also fully recyclable and can be used as a soil improver after its lifetime. The material is also easy to process. Thicknesses vary from 4mm to 24mm depending on the project.

What makes the material so sustainable and circular?

Bart: "The sustainability aspect is on the one hand in the production process which is direct mining. There are no harmful substances. The Exie Board is completely reusable. The circular aspect comes from the fact that you can start using it in prefab applications, renovation as well as new construction. You can reuse the entire wall for another application or you can remove the board in restoration/renovation and replace it with another or you can start using it somewhere else. The boards can be screwed, stapled and possibly glued with a circular glue recently offered by one of our partners. They are also suitable for certain smaller applications, smaller walls through velcro connections. So it is a circular material, it can be done with a single labour: this means that one will replace two boards that are classic (an OSB and a Gyproc © - or plaster fibre board) with a single board. This means you have less labour time, less waste, less screws, less material consumption."

What about the price?

Bart: "The magnesium oxide plate is currently cheaper than the classic plates, especially when you include the labour time (2-in-1). The sheets are available in different thicknesses and sizes."

What function does this panel perform in 't Centrum?

Joeri: "The boards were applied on the outside of the timber frame walls. Originally, a wood wool panel was planned but it was no longer available at the time we needed it. The board had to be non-combustible and breathable."

Why did the construction team choose these panels?

Joeri: "Exie came up with this sustainable alternative. In comparing some alternatives, the construction team followed this proposal."

How did you approach providing an alternative?

Joeri: "We asked several suppliers for alternative options that met all the requirements. After receiving proposals, samples and the quotes, we made a thoughtful circular choice."