Eco-Panels presents The EPIC Block™

Perhaps no other company is working harder to change the way the world builds, or has won as many awards for innovative new building products during 2021 than the American company Eco-Panels® with its latest revolutionary new building product, the EPIC Block™.

Named Best of the Best in the Building Envelope & Construction Materials category at the 2021 Architecture MasterPrize competition, and Best in Class for Energy Saving Systems at the BLT Built Design Awards, the EPIC Block™ had already been recognized at the 2021 NAHB International Builders Show as among the Most Innovative Start-Ups in the building products industry. Combining the durability, fire resistance and strength of concrete as the load-bearing outer “skins” with the sturdy and super-insulating capabilities of an agriculturally based fire retardant closed-cell polyurethane foam core, the EPIC Block seeks to replace the traditional concrete and mortar block wall used the world over. With 60-80% less concrete and no mortar/cement relative to the traditional block wall, embodied carbon emissions associated with the R40 rated EPIC Block are dramatically reduced while the wall’s insulating abilities increase by 400% or more.

The president of Eco-Panels, Charles Leahy, hopes to enter the European market in 2022 through partnerships with existing companies as well as through government invitation and incentives. “Much of the world including the US and European countries are still building structures using centuries old technology of stud/timber framing or block/brick construction. Erecting these structures is complicated and requires skilled labour, and the resulting buildings are not nearly as strong or energy efficient as they could be. And with many countries setting lofty goals for reduction in carbon emissions, we finally offer an easy method for significant carbon emission reductions for both existing structures as well as new construction.”