Magnesium Oxide Board Brands (MgO) – Zero-VOC & Made in America

1. MagTech Ultra 

This brand does claim to source raw materials and make the panels in the US.

They say it’s zero VOC but it does not look like it has been tested. Under LEED it’s exempt from testing since it’s in the “Inherently Non-Emitting” category. 

That means: “products that are inherently non-emitting sources of VOCs (stone, ceramic, powder-coated metals, plated or anodized metal, glass, concrete, clay brick, and unfinished or untreated solid wood flooring) are considered fully compliant without any VOC emissions testing if they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, or sealants.”

The HPD shows a number of undisclosed ingredients:

3 undisclosed inorganic fillers (probably minerals), an undisclosed hardener listed as non-hazardous, an undisclosed water reducer (listed as persistent, bioaccumulation, and inherently toxic (PBiTH) to humans), and an undisclosed strengthening agent (non-hazardous).

ASTM test results confirm MagTech Ultra is non-combustible, Class A fire-rated, and suitable for use in fire-rated wall assemblies.

Overall take on this brand: I don’t know how established they are. It is a good sign that they have documentation like the HPD. We know there is a toxin in there but we don’t know which one. 

2. MagPanel

This brand has a lot less information on their site.

The SDS lists wood fiber as a component and 0.2% undisclosed ingredients.

On the website, they claim it’s zero VOC but they do not show any testing. However, if their ingredient list is accurate than that should be correct.

The website doesn’t mention where it is made. I called them and they didn’t know on the main inquiry line.

MagPanel® is UL 055 and ASTM-tested and A-rated.

3. Foreverboard

Foreverboard claims to be made in the US. (Note that there is also a brand that ships directly from China called Foreverboad which is different).

There are proprietary additives not listed but they claim zero VOC. 

It meets ASTM E-84, ASTM E-136-1

This brand has been around for a while, and that is a good thing in the MgO brand world, however recently someone commented that they did not receive the product.

Many sensitive folks like this brand.

4. Huber Exacor, Formerly Extreme Green 

This brand is only meant for subflooring and underlayment.

They provide a 10-year warranty.

Huber is a major construction materials company so I would be most likely to look at this brand first.

Though they do not provide info on where it’s made and the VOCs.

It does contain a fiberglass mesh.

There was a slight chemical odor in the sample I got but I could not tell if it was something that got absorbed from the surroundings or was inherent to the board.

They say it’s manufactured in a quality-controlled environment audited by NTA and UL to maintain consistency. (So probably not made in America!)

I like this brand as it’s by Huber and it has specs and testing for this to be used as a structural subfloor.

Many companies have gone in and out of business with MgO in the last 10 years so I would prefer a big company like Huber.

Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.