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DeutschPNP XPS X-Grip is a new member of the PNP XPS range, produced at the Várpalota plant in Hungary. It is an extruded polystyrene board whose face is finished with the X-Grip surface: a milled and waffle-embossed texture designed to give render, tile adhesive and ETICS bonding mortars a reliable mechanical key. The board is rated CS(10\Y)150 (≥ 150 kPa), carries a declared thermal conductivity of 0.033 W/(m·K), and is classified Euroclass E for reaction to fire.
Why the surface matters in a bonded façade
In an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS), the insulation board is glued to the wall, then covered with a reinforced base coat and a finishing render. The whole system relies on two adhesive joints, so the pull-off strength between the board face and the mortar has a direct influence on how long the façade lasts without defects.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the established insulation material in Central European ETICS. XPS offers lower water absorption, a more durable board and thermal performance that does not change over time, and ETICS built with XPS boards conforming to EN 13164 have been approved by leading render-system manufacturers. The open question for XPS has always been adhesion: a smooth extrusion skin gives the mortar little to grip.
Stronger adhesion — longer lasting construction
At a glance
- Lighter boards less weight, less effort, better results
- Super-adhesive surface reliable fixing adhesion and a stronger plaster system
- Strong and reliable high-quality ETICS system for 50+ years
What X-Grip is
During the first year of production in Várpalota, PNP tested a series of surface variants for bonded applications beyond the usual solutions widely known by the market. The outcome of this innovation process is the X-Grip surface. The board face is first milled and then embossed with a waffle pattern. The mechanical key comes from this geometry alone — no chemical adhesion promoters are added to the material.
The embossing has a second effect: it re-closes the cells that milling opens on the surface. As a result, the long-term water absorption of XPS 150 X-Grip stays at the level of smooth XPS boards — WL(T)0,7, i.e. ≤ 0.7 % by volume — rather than the ≤ 3.0 % typical of milled-and-grooved boards.
Promising test results
Adhesion-strength tests were carried out at ÉMI, the Hungarian construction quality control and innovation institute, using a Mapetherm insulation-board adhesive mortar after dry storage, following EAD 040083-00-0404 with five specimens per material. Both XPS references achieved considerably higher tensile strength than the premium EPS reference. The X-Grip board reached roughly 10 % higher average adhesion strength than the premium waffled XPS reference product, and about twice the value of PNP's previous waffled surface.
Key figures
Property | XPS X-Grip |
|---|---|
Compressive strength (EN 826) | CS(10\Y)150 — ≥ 150 kPa |
Declared thermal conductivity λD | 0.033 W/(m·K) |
Reaction to fire | Euroclass E |
Tensile strength perpendicular to faces | TR 400 |
Long-term water absorption | WL(T)0,7 — ≤ 0.7 Vol.-% |
Dimensional stability | DS(70,90) |
Board size / edge | 1250 × 600 mm, straight (I) or L-edge |
Thickness | 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 100 mm; TB variant 100–200 mm |
Declared thermal resistance RD | 1.20–3.00 m²K/W (standard); up to 6.05 m²·K/W (TB) |
Service temperature | −70 °C to +75 °C |
Product standard | EN 13164:2012+A1:2015 |
Where it fits better than common XPS solutions — and where it does not
PNP's X-Grip is intended for positions where XPS is chosen for its moisture behaviour and durability and the insulation itself does not carry large loads:
bonded ETICS façades with a render or tile finish;
plinths and base-perimeter areas, where the board acts as thermal insulation and moisture protection rather than a structural layer;
window and door reveals, to reduce thermal bridging and the risk of local condensation;
floors under a load-distributing layer in residential rooms and offices, where loads are distributed and there are no heavy racks, equipment or vehicle traffic;
non-accessible roofs and terraces with a load-distributing layer.
A practical rule: wherever EPS 150 would be specified, XPS X-Grip can be considered, bringing the water-absorption and durability characteristics of XPS.
It is not the right board where the design load exceeds 150 kPa, like industrial floors, vehicle-trafficked decks or road construction; where XPS 300 W, XPS 300, XPS 500 or XPS 700 apply; where a smooth face is required against waterproofing or drainage layers below ground or in inverted roofs (XPS 300, XPS 500). Confirming the load case remains the responsibility of the designer; the declared values are in the TDS and DoP.
Lighter boards — better work results
At a glance
- Lightweight convenient to carry and install
- Quick installation time savings at every stage
- Precision to the millimetre tight fit of boards without gaps
- Secure fixation strong fasteners, long-lasting result
Weight, material and handling
The 150 kPa class allows a lower board density, so X-Grip uses about 10 % less raw material than PNP XPS 300 W at the same thickness. On site this means lighter boards and a lighter ETICS build-up; over the product's life it means a correspondingly lower embodied carbon per square metre. The Euroclass E fire classification is retained despite the lower density. Like all PNP XPS boards, it is REACH-compliant, contains no HBCDD or other substances of very high concern, and is produced without ozone-depleting blowing agents.
More ecological — with every board
At a glance
- About 10 % less raw material than XPS 300 W at the same thickness
- Lighter façade system reduces structural demands
- Longer lifespan, fewer renovations, less waste
Naming, availability and documents
The board is marketed as PNP XPS X-Grip. Technical data sheets and Declarations of Performance are available on the documentation page, and the product page lists the full specification. For a direct comparison with the 300 kPa waffled board, see XPS W X-Grip vs XPS 300 W. Project-specific questions are welcome: sales@pnpinsulation.com.
