US MgO Company | www.USMgO.co | Info@USMgO.co | 855-MgO-4YOU

Contact: Ryan Miller, General Manager

WILMINGTON, N.C. (January 23, 2025) – US MgO announced today that Innovation MgO Wall Panels received their first Evaluation Services Report (ESR) ESR-5418 from ICC-ES applicable to Acceptance Criteria (AC) 386, the industry-recognized standard for fiber-reinforced magnesium oxide (MgO) panels.

Innovation MgO Wall Panels previously obtained ESL-1596 that applies to ASTM E84: Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and ESL-1610 that applies to ASTM E119: Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. These listings detail critical testing information and parameters that enable project teams to design fire-rated wall assemblies.

An ESR is widely considered a minimum requirement for a product’s inclusion in commercial and multifamily projects nationwide. Following more than a year of rigorous third-party ICC-ES testing to industry quality standards, architects, specifiers, and end users can now specify Innovation MgO Wall Panels with full confidence.

In completing the ESR process, US MgO became one of the first U.S. companies to pass the newly established industry standards for corrosion testing of MgO panels. Innovation MgO Wall Panels demonstrated that they exhibit incredibly low potential for corrosion – less than 20 mils per year – a litmus test for many exterior sheathing panel products including fire-retardant treated wood materials.

“With more than 15 years of MgO panel research, development, and projects under our belts, we understand the need to provide verifiable proof that Innovation MgO Wall Panels have a low corrosion potential,” said Ryan Miller, General Manager. “This issue has long been an albatross around the neck of the MgO panel industry. These test results prove that corrosion is no more of an issue with our panels than any other sheathing products,” said Miller.

The corrosion test results validate an ideal application for Innovation MgO Wall Panels: homes and buildings in coastal environments. Panels are approved for all exposure conditions with no limitations in wet conditions. Short-term and intermittent water exposure will not damage the panels during and after construction, saving valuable time and money when compared to wood and gypsum panels.   

ESR-5418 includes additional approvals to the state building codes of Florida and California, ensuring their compliance to these rigorous state codes. Compliance letters are available in the ESR document, on US MgO’s website, and in the ICC-ES Reports Directory

“MgO panels are still a new product to many in the U.S. construction market, but adoption is increasing as the industry continues to validate the many benefits of this innovative product,” said Miller. “No other sheathing products combine the fire resistance, water resistance, and structural performance of Innovation MgO Wall Panels.”

MgO panels have struggled to garner acceptance in federal and state government projects, as nearly all have been imported from China. With its new North Carolina-made panels, US MgO is pursuing federal and state government projects in its home state and across the country.

Visit www.USMgO.co for these and other technical resources.

About Innovation MgO

The Innovation MgO series of sheathing panels includes 1/4” Flex Panels for SIP and SIS products and interior walls, 1/2” Wall Panels for exterior load-bearing fire-rated walls and interior fire-rated walls, 1/2” Floor Panels for flooring underlayment, and 3/4” Subfloor Panels for use in structural subfloors. Innovation MgO 1/2” Wall Panels recently received their first Evaluation Services Report (ESR) ESR-5418 from ICC-ES applicable to Acceptance Criteria (AC) 386, the industry-recognized standard for fiber-reinforced magnesium oxide panels. Consult published Innovation MgO assembly requirements and local building codes for fire-rated design requirements.

About US MgO Company

US MgO is a leading supplier and manufacturer of high-quality magnesium oxide (MgO) cement sheathing panels catering to the commercial, multifamily, and single-family construction markets in North America. US MgO was established by a team of accomplished building products industry veterans and partners that boast decades of experience in the development, research, and manufacturing of MgO sheathing panels and innovative building products. In January of 2025, US MgO commissioned the first U.S. facility to manufacture domestic MgO panels for use in walls, floors, and subfloors. A second manufacturing plant will break ground soon after.