Local firm employs Italian insulated panel technology to withstand typhoons

Next Century Building Systems Inc. (NCBS) is boosting local manufacturing of proven Italian construction technology to help Filipino builders meet urgent demands for safer, more sustainable and energy-efficient structures in a time of escalating climate risks.

NCBS, the exclusive Philippine manufacturer of Italy’s Emmedue (M2) Panel System, is scaling up its Structural Concrete Insulated Panel (SCIP) product, the NXT Panel system.

The technology—which combines expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation with reinforced concrete—is designed to withstand high seismic zones and super-typhoon wind loads exceeding 250 kilometers per hour (kph), making it uniquely suited to the Philippines.

Construction companies and homeowners are increasingly prioritizing safety, sustainability and long-term performance as the country faces stronger typhoons, more frequent earthquakes and rising energy costs. THE shift is driving demand for building systems that align with global frameworks like LEED and BERDE.

“Technology like SCIP has never been as relevant as it is today,” said Jay Ong, president of NCBS.

“We are building in an era of volatile climate, rising costs, and where sustainability is no longer optional. Our goal is to make this globally trusted system accessible to Filipino builders who are ready to take construction to the next century,” he said.

The company’s system directly supports efforts to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. By optimizing the responsible use of concrete and integrating EPS insulation, the NXT Panel reduces embodied carbon, lowers material waste and significantly minimizes operational energy use.

The superior thermal comfort from the EPS-insulated core can cut cooling costs and energy consumption by up to 40 percent.

NCBS is driving wider national adoption of the technology from its 3,000-square-meter manufacturing facility in LIMA Estate, Batangas. The local production facility provides developers with the advantages of world-class technology combined with full-scale manufacturing, engineering expertise, and design support.

The system also accelerates construction timelines, streamlines site efficiency, and lowers total build costs and project risks, according to the company.

“From a technical standpoint, the NXT Panel System addresses the realities of the Philippine environment directly,” said Joshua Orias, NCBS head of engineering design and services.

“It provides superior structural strength, improves thermal insulation, and significantly reduces construction waste. The result is a building that is safer, more comfortable, and significantly more sustainable,” said Orias.

The NXT Panel has been used across various sectors, including in Unihealth Hospitals, De La Salle Zobel Vermosa and multiple residential projects.

NCBS plans to expand its role in affordable housing, green-certified developments and public infrastructure.

“By working with the country’s builders, engineers and designers, we can help create communities that are stronger, cooler and better for future generations,” said Ong.