Xeriant develops Retacell composite panel

Xeriant Inc., an aerospace company based in Florida, has announced the development of a multipurpose, high-strength fire- and water-resistant composite panel made from a formulation of Retacell and a cardboard fiber-reinforced polymeric resin, which can be sourced from recycled materials.

The panel is fabricated through a compression molding process and can be produced or cut in varying thicknesses and sizes, including standard 48-inch-by-96-inch sheets. Depending on the application, the panel can have different colors, textures or decorative finishes, Xeriant says. Potential interior and exterior construction applications include walls, ceilings, flooring, framing, siding, roofing and decking. Xeriant says it is planning to license the technology to major manufacturers of building products.

“We have been impressed with the Retacell panel’s performance and believe it can compete effectively with many of the building products on the market such as OSB, plywood, drywall and engineered wood flooring, to name a few," Xeriant CEO Keith Duffy says. "The superior flexibility, resistance properties, insulating ability and mechanical strength of this product may also reduce the cost and complexity of SIP systems. Our team in Slovakia is currently testing the panel’s tensile and thermal properties for certification."

Retacell is a biodegradable and nontoxic high-performance thermal- and fire-protection chemical agent that is custom formulated to meet each application’s specifications and can be applied as a coating or treatment or infused during manufacturing into a variety of materials, including recycled plastics and wood-based fiber. Retacell-infused materials are also water repellent.