America’s future is built on environmentally conscious design materials
The conversation around environmentally conscious design materials isn’t just happening in architecture circles; it’s defining how the next generation of buildings will look, feel, and function.
At moxie surfaces, we’ve made it our mission to bring the best of European sustainable innovation to the U.S. market, and we’re proud to do so as the official distributor of clear-PEP® ECO, AIR-board® ECO, and AIR-board acoustic & quiet products by design composite.
Long before sustainability became a global priority, they were already integrating it into every layer of their business. Today, design composite manufactures lightweight, recyclable, and translucent panels powered by 95% renewable energy, using regionally sourced raw materials and maintaining complete transparency over their environmental footprint. Their ESG strategy, rooted in circular economy, waste reduction, and social responsibility, sets a real-world example of what it means to act with intent, not just comply with regulations.
As their official distributor for the architectural range in the U.S., we at moxie surfaces are proud to bring these environmentally conscious design materials to designers and architects who want more than just good looks; they want integrity behind the panel.
Why our collaboration matters
We chose design composite for a reason. In a market flooded with low-cost, high-waste building products, they stood out by refusing to take shortcuts. Rather than importing raw materials from overseas or chasing cheap labor, they built a local ecosystem in Austria and surrounding EU countries where transparency, accountability, and innovation go hand in hand.
Hans Aster, CEO of design composite, captured this vision in a recent interview:
“Even design composite could source its components more cheaply from Asia. However, as long as the raw materials are available in Europe, we focus on quality. We aim to stand out with honest, traceable products.”
That mindset is one we deeply respect, and one we now bring to the U.S. market with a focused portfolio of architectural panels: clear-PEP® ECO, AIR-board® ECO, AIR-board® acoustic & quiet, and AIR-board® stone light.
Every sheet, every core, and every facing has been developed not just for performance, but for long-term ecological responsibility.
From clean energy to clean materials
design composite doesn’t just build panels; they build confidence. Their Austrian facility is a passive-energy structure, optimized for low energy use. They reuse manufacturing heat to warm the building, have installed a 202 kWp photovoltaic system, and are transitioning their vehicle fleet to electric.
In terms of material innovation, they’ve:
- Switched to bio-based polycarbonate facings and 100% recycled R-MMA acrylics
- Developed fully recyclable thermoplastic core panels
- Eliminated bonding agents by welding rather than gluing
- Committed to regional raw material sourcing (Germany, Austria, Italy, Netherlands)
These actions aren’t marketing slogans; they’re measurable, traceable steps toward supply chain decarbonization and material circularity. When you choose any panel from our architectural line, you’re not just buying a product; you’re choosing a cleaner system.
And that’s exactly why we bring these products to the U.S. market. Because American design deserves access to materials that perform without compromising the planet.
The clear purpose behind clear-PEP® ECO
Among the most striking examples of environmentally conscious design materials is the clear-PEP® ECO panel. These translucent honeycomb panels are used both indoors and outdoors and are prized for their incredible durability and signature optical effects, but the real story is what they’re made of.
The honeycomb core is crafted from a proprietary expanded polycarbonate sheet, while the facing layers are available in two eco-conscious options:
- Polycarbonate facings made with up to 83% renewable and 100% recyclable bio-based content (for both interior and exterior use)
- Acrylic (R-MMA) facings made with 100% recycled content, fully recyclable (for interior use)
With clear-PEP® ECO, you’re not just selecting a material for its looks; you’re choosing one that aligns with circular economy principles, reduces fossil-based content, and actively supports sustainable building practices.
AIR-board®: Lightweight, clean, and circular by design
For interior projects where creativity meets performance, AIR-board® panels offer a flexible, sustainable alternative to glass or traditional partitions. Made of high-quality thermoplastics, these panels come with two core configurations, a wide range of finishes, and excellent mechanical properties, all while remaining incredibly light.
Despite the UV resistance of the materials used (polycarbonate and PMMA), AIR-board® is intended for interior use, where its light-diffusing properties can be put to creative use in walls, ceilings, retail fixtures, or exhibition panels.
These panels are fully recyclable, use regionally sourced materials, and are fabricated in a facility powered by 95% renewable energy. That makes AIR-board® a perfect example of environmentally conscious design materials that perform without compromise.
Acoustic solutions with a conscience
Sound management often means foam, fiberglass, or other materials that end up in landfills. But the AIR-board® acoustic and acoustic quiet panels offer a brighter alternative, literally.
These translucent honeycomb panels are made with polycarbonate facings, some with over 300,000 micro-perforations per m², delivering powerful sound absorption without adding visual bulk. AIR-board® acoustic quiet takes this a step further by incorporating a non-perforated facing on one side, minimizing sound transfer while still absorbing echo and reflection.
What makes these panels stand out as environmentally conscious design materials is not just their sound performance, it’s their material makeup and manufacturing story. The panels are fabricated without adhesives, are fully recyclable, and are engineered to reduce total material use without sacrificing impact.
In spaces where both sound and aesthetics matter: libraries, open offices, and learning spaces, AIR-board® acoustic solutions deliver comfort without waste.
Real stone meets real innovation: AIR-board® stone light
AIR-board® stone light may be one of the most unexpected entries in the world of environmentally conscious design materials. These panels combine real slate stone with a translucent, lightweight core, allowing light to pass through the natural material like never before.
Each panel is unique due to the natural variation in stone grain and tone. But despite their beauty, they’re designed for practical applications: countertops, backlit feature walls, ceilings, and even furniture, all with significantly reduced weight and resource consumption compared to traditional stone slabs.
Less energy is required for transport, less material is needed to create bold visual effects, and more creative opportunities are unlocked for architects and designers who don’t want to choose between nature and efficiency.
These panels prove that environmentally conscious design materials don’t have to be synthetic to be smart; they can celebrate nature while respecting its limits.
At moxie surfaces, we’re not just distributing materials; we’re delivering the result of a deeply intentional manufacturing process shaped by some of the most rigorous sustainability standards in Europe.
In partnership with design composite, we’re proud to bring these environmentally conscious design materials to architects and designers across the U.S., offering solutions that are as responsible as they are beautiful. Every panel in the clear-PEP® and AIR-board® ranges reflects a commitment to renewable energy, regional sourcing, and recyclable composition, not as trends, but as daily practice.
This collaboration allows us to offer not only aesthetic innovation, but ethical assurance: a high-performance material, made with care, ready to shape the next generation of sustainable spaces.
When you’re ready to specify materials that truly support the future of architecture, we invite you to get in touch. Let’s start working on your next project together.
If America is serious about reducing waste, minimizing emissions, and building spaces that last, the future has to be built on environmentally conscious design materials like these.
Having a strong connection with you, our customers, is vital to our business, as it will help us shape our future products and services. Because of this, we encourage you to use our Contact page in order to share your thoughts on the samples you received, as well as whether or not you would utilize our panels in your future projects.
