Panelite and Bencore natural alternative with Moxie Surfaces’ ECO translucent honeycomb panels
At Moxie Surfaces, we bring architects, designers, and builders a material with remarkable versatility: translucent honeycomb panels. These panels combine strength with light transmission, making them ideal for projects that need both performance and visual appeal. Our solutions cover everything from clear-PEP® and AIR-board® to AIR-board® acoustic, acoustic quiet, and AIR-board® stone light, providing practical options for walls, ceilings, floors, and exterior features.
We know that many professionals in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean are seeking continuity after Panelite and Bencore ceased supplying these products. That’s where we step in: Moxie Surfaces provides translucent honeycomb panels that deliver the same architectural impact with reliable service and support.
Who we are
Moxie Surfaces is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Design Composite, an Austrian company with deep expertise in composites. Founded in 1999 as a spin-off from ski manufacturer Blizzard GmbH, Design Composite became fully independent in 2005. Today, from its purpose-built facility in Niedernsill, Austria, the company produces high-quality composite materials for global markets.
By working directly with Design Composite, we give North American architects and contractors access to innovative European ECO materials with the service of a local partner. Our role goes beyond distribution. We listen carefully to your design goals and then match them with the right panel solution, so your projects stand out without complications.
Our approach: collaboration and customization
We believe that great projects come from strong collaboration. That’s why we offer a service we call “design your composite.” It’s a dedicated consulting and development process where our team works with you to configure panels that fit unique requirements.
For example, a university may need translucent honeycomb panels that diffuse daylight in lecture halls while providing acoustic comfort. A retail brand may want custom colors that align with its identity. A contractor might ask for lightweight panels that reduce structural loads. Whatever the case, we help you mix and match facings and cores until the solution feels right.
Remembering Panelite’s contribution
From 1998 until 2022, Panelite played an important role in shaping how U.S. architects viewed translucent composites. They promoted materials that balanced transparency with strength and showed the design community that panels could be more than just functional – they could transform spaces.
Panelite closed during the pandemic, but their influence remains. They sparked interest in honeycomb structures that interact with light in ways glass alone cannot. Many designers first encountered translucent honeycomb panels through Panelite’s outreach and case studies.
Now, with Panelite no longer active, Moxie Surfaces carries the conversation forward. We provide the next step, ensuring that architects who appreciated Panelite’s offerings still have access to translucent honeycomb panels with equal or greater performance.
What Bencore brought to the table
Bencore, known internationally for product lines such as Starlight, Hexaben, and Lightben, also left its mark on the market. Their translucent panels combined design flexibility with technical appeal, making them a popular choice in Europe and beyond. In the U.S., availability has decreased as Bencore shifts away from certain product ranges, leaving architects searching for replacements.
Moxie Surfaces offers natural alternatives:
- For the Starlight family, we recommend clear-PEP® ECO panels.
- For Hexaben, we provide AIR-board® metal.
- For Lightben, our AIR-board® ECO panels cover the same needs.
- For Lightben Acoustic, our AIR-board® acoustic and acoustic quiet cover the same needs.
- Additionally, we offer the amazing AIR-board® stone light honeycomb architectural panels featuring translucent real stone facing.
By acknowledging Bencore’s contribution and offering practical replacements, we make sure your projects never lose momentum.
Why translucent honeycomb panels matter
Architectural materials are judged by more than looks. They need to perform on multiple fronts. Our translucent honeycomb panels are valued because they bring together design, strength, and comfort:
- Light transmission: creates bright, welcoming interiors while reducing artificial lighting needs.
- Strength with low weight: panels can span large areas without adding heavy structural demands.
- Thermal insulation: helps regulate indoor climates.
- Acoustic improvement: some panels reduce echoes in open spaces.
- Design freedom: a wide range of colors, finishes, and core types is available.
On top of these benefits, sustainability is part of the story. The structure of our translucent honeycomb panels allows them to use less raw material compared to solid sheets of glass or plastic, while still delivering high performance. Their lightweight nature lowers shipping energy and makes installation faster, cutting down on labor and equipment use. By improving natural daylighting and insulation, the panels help reduce a building’s long-term energy consumption. Many of the facing options are recyclable, and some are already produced with recycled content, giving architects and owners a responsible choice that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics.
This versatility and eco-friendly profile explain why our translucent honeycomb panels are now seen in schools, healthcare spaces, offices, cultural venues, and exterior features like canopies and façades.
Practical uses for architects and contractors
Here are some examples of how our customers apply translucent honeycomb panels in real projects:
- Partition walls that let light pass through while defining private areas.
- Ceilings that combine aesthetics with acoustic absorption.
- Stages and floors that glow when backlit, creating dramatic effects.
- Furniture and displays that stand out in retail or exhibition settings.
- Exterior cladding and canopies that balance durability with translucency.
For millworkers and installers, the panels are straightforward to handle thanks to their lightweight build. For architects, they offer fresh opportunities to design spaces that look open yet maintain comfort.
Working with Moxie Surfaces
We serve a wide audience: architects aiming for bold concepts, contractors focusing on performance, and millworkers seeking precise fabrication. Our clients know that with us, they get materials plus service – technical guidance, samples, and reliable logistics.
We work across North America and the Caribbean, offering quick responses and clear advice. By partnering with us, you gain both access to Design Composite’s advanced materials and the benefit of a distributor who understands how to keep projects on track.
Architects who worked with Panelite or specified Bencore panels are often concerned about where to turn now. The answer is straightforward: Moxie Surfaces provides continuity with translucent honeycomb panels that match or exceed what those companies offered.
We’re here to help you transition smoothly. If you’re updating a specification, replacing discontinued products, or exploring new options, our team will recommend the closest match – or develop a custom solution.
Looking ahead
We see translucent honeycomb panels continuing to grow in relevance. Their mix of light, strength, and design appeal fits the needs of modern projects, from energy efficiency to aesthetic distinction. Just as important, their lightweight structure reduces the amount of raw material required, while their ability to improve daylighting and insulation supports lower energy use over time. Many options include recyclable facings or recycled content, making them a smart choice for projects with sustainability goals. With Design Composite driving innovation and Moxie Surfaces providing direct support, architects and builders can rely on a consistent source of inspiration, supply, and eco-friendly performance..
Moxie Surfaces brings translucent honeycomb panels as the natural alternative to Panelite and Bencore. For architects, designers, and contractors, that means continuity, service, and materials that combine technical performance with creative freedom. Whether you are working on a small interior detail or a large architectural feature, our panels are here to help your vision take shape.
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.
