SMART-X® Heavy-Duty, Recyclable Foam Board to be Showcased at ISA International Sign Expo 2015

SMART-X® graphic display board – the first heavy-duty foam board available in the Americas that is 100 percent recyclable – will be showcased at the ISA International Sign Expo 2015 in Las Vegas April 9-11. Show-goers will be able to test their skill at the SMART-X corn-hole game at the 3A Composites USA Booth No. 2775.

SMART-X is a premium-quality distinctive lightweight foam board consisting of an all-plastic sheet that is uniquely constructed with a moisture-resistant expanded polystyrene core and two layers of UV-resistant solid polystyrene (HIPS). SMART-X can be installed outdoors without experiencing any significant change in color for a period of up to two years. And, as a mono-material composite that is manufactured without adhesives applied between its core and facers, SMART-X cannot delaminate during exterior applications. (Graphic designers and fabricators are advised to contact 3A Composites USA technical services for exterior recommendations.)

SMART-X produces vibrant color in direct digital printing applications and is easily routed and milled for signs, displays and dramatic in-store lettering. SMART-X also can be used in mounting applications for indoor display.

SMART-X is easy to recycle because it is made from 100 percent polystyrene with no adhesive applied between the core and cover layers. Approximately 95 percent of production waste in the manufacture of SMART-X is collected and recycled on-site. SMART-X is manufactured at the 3A Composites manufacturing facility in Singen, Germany.

SMART-X was introduced by 3A Composites in Europe in late-2012 and brought to the Americas by 3A Composites USA in 2014.

“We’ve seen a great deal of interest in SMART-X from graphic designers and fabricators for a variety of sign and display applications; this is a very versatile rigid substrate,” said Brandon Wyatt, marketing manager, 3A Composites USA. “Not only is SMART-X a recyclable foam board, it produces vivid colors in direct printing applications and routes easily. We created our corn-hole game out of SMART-X, so ISA show-goers can not only test their game skills at our booth but get an up-close look at a finished SMART-X display.”

SMART-X graphic display board is available in the 3/16-inch, 3/8-inch, ½-inch and ¾-inch thicknesses in 48-inch by 96-inch sheets. SMART-X products are available with white foam and white facers. The 3/16-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch sheets feature protective film on one side; the ¾-inch sheets feature protective film on both sides. (These films are designed to protect SMART-X surfaces prior to decoration and should be removed before fabricating.)