Xtrata

Presents the

SABSBuilding System

Foam-core, concrete-shell construction that builds faster, stronger, and more efficiently than wood framing — code-approved nationwide.

SABS — Saebi Alternative Building SystemICC-ES ESR-1638ULASTM

The problem

Traditional construction is getting harder

Six pressures squeezing builders at once — and why the envelope is where the fix lives.

01

Skilled Labor Shortages

Finding and retaining qualified tradespeople is harder than ever.

02

Rising Labor & Material Costs

Lumber, concrete, and skilled labor costs continue to climb.

03

Longer Construction Schedules

More trades means more coordination delays and cost overruns.

04

Tightening Margins

Competition and rising costs are squeezing builder profitability.

05

More Demanding Energy Codes

IECC requirements push builders toward high-performance envelopes.

06

Greater Competition

Builders need product differentiation to win in a crowded market.

Who we are

Xtrata

An advanced building technology that replaces wood framing with a foam-core and concrete shell — designed to make construction safer, simpler, and more affordable.

$4M+
Invested in R&D & testing
20+
Years of development history
ICC‑ES
Nationally approved via ESR‑1638
100+
Projects across 7 asset classes
  • Formerly Strata International Group — developer of the patented Saebi Alternative Building System (SABS)
  • Projects completed domestically and internationally across residential and commercial markets
  • Growing licensed builder network with structured training and certification programs
  • In-house design and engineering teams, permitting support, and ongoing technical field guidance

The system

One shell. Three jobs.

SABS replaces framing, insulation, and stucco with a single patented assembly: EPS foam panels wrapped in a SABScrete structural coating.

Stage 1
EPS foam panels set on a two-story home

Set the foam

Lightweight EPS panels are cut, placed, and bonded into walls, floors, and roof — no lumber, no steel studs.

Stage 2
SABScrete coating applied over the foam shell

Apply SABScrete

A reinforced cementitious shell is sprayed and troweled over the foam, creating a monolithic structural envelope.

Stage 3
Completed, finished SABS home

Finish directly

Paint, plaster, stucco, or cladding go straight onto the shell — structure, insulation, and finish in one application.

Watch

How it works

2026 SABS Start to Finish — foam setup, adhesive, shoring, and the SABScrete shell, filmed on a real build.

Open on YouTube ↗

Media

Film library

Thirty films from the Strata / Xtrata channel — builds, timelapses, news coverage, and interviews. Click any film to watch.

Full channel ↗

Engineered performance

Built for the worst day

250
mph wind
≈ 402 km/h
Hurricane and tornado-rated envelope
Level F
seismic design category
Cyclic racking shear: pass, 6 of 6
Approved in California's seismic zones
R‑75 to R‑100
thermal resistance
RSI 13.2 – 17.6 m²·K/W
Continuous insulation with no thermal bridging
0
flame spread · Class A
ASTM E‑84 · ASTM E‑119 · UL 790
Non-combustible shell, Class A wall and roof
STC 52+
sound transmission class
Loud speech inaudible through the wall
Quiet interiors for homes, hotels, and offices
1,800 PSI
coating flexural strength
≈ 12.4 MPa · shell 135 lb/ft³ · EPS 1.5 lb/ft³
Reinforced cementitious shell over EPS core

Built to last · built to sell

Six more reasons builders switch

10–15%
faster build time
Shell complete in 67 days · 4-person crew
One trade replaces framing, insulation, and stucco
Any form
endless design
Curves, cantilevers, custom layouts
Foam is cut and shaped on site — modern to traditional
Finish-ready
stucco-like surface
Paint, plaster, stucco, or cladding
Finishes apply directly to the shell — no extra steps
0 wood
termite resistant
No lumber, no food source, no rot
Inorganic shell resists termites and moisture damage
Mold-free
mold resistant
No organic material in the envelope
Healthier air, no hidden decay inside the walls
100%
Xtrata inspection · low carbon
QC team on every project · less material, no lumber
Inspected by the people who built the system

Compliance

Approved nationwide & global

IBC
IRC

ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-1638 confirms compliance with the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC), validating structural integrity, fire resistance, durability, and weather protection.

CBC
CRC
FBC

Supplements cover the California Building and Residential Codes, the City of Los Angeles, and the Florida Building Code — the two most demanding jurisdictions in the country for seismic and hurricane loads.

Global

Engineered submittals are prepared for international authorities on request, with completed projects across four continents.

ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-1638, page 1

Proof

10 years of testing · $4 million invested

Finite element displacement model of a SABS structure

Modeled, then tested

7.3-magnitude earthquake simulation · finite-element analysis checked against full-scale physical tests

15 / 15

Structural strength

Axial, bending, and racking shear — every specimen passed

6 / 6

Earthquake resistance

Cyclic racking shear, in plane — Seismic Design Category F

Class A

Fire

ASTM E‑119 Type V‑B · flame spread 0 (E‑84) · UL 790 roof · UL 1715 room corner

8 / 8

Durability

Accelerated weathering, freeze-thaw, 500-hour salt spray, water penetration, absorption, bond

1,800 PSI

Materials

Coating flexural strength · EPS 1.5 lb/ft³ Type II modified bead · shell 135 lb/ft³

Operating cost

High energy performance

SABS helps builders deliver homes with dramatically lower operating costs.

HERS 29
Without solar (industry average: 60–70)
HERS −1
With solar — net-positive energy
$1,350
Estimated annual energy cost without solar (USD)
71%
More energy efficient than the average US home
  • ENERGY STAR certified design — exceeds all current IECC energy code requirements
  • Reduced HVAC loads allow smaller, less expensive mechanical systems
  • Lower utility bills are a powerful sales and marketing advantage for builders
  • Stable interior temperatures — comfort year-round

HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score and data points are from a completed SABS build in Arizona, 2026. HERS is a US rating where lower is better; 0 is net-zero.

Economics

Savings at a glance

SABS reduces shell construction cost and adds ancillary savings that lower total project cost.

Build for less
Shell savingsvs. wood-frame
10–15%
Shell savingsvs. steel / CMU
25–30%
Total project savingsvs. wood-frame
5–10%
Total project savingsvs. steel / CMU
10–15%
67
days to a finished shell on the Maui build — with a four-person crew and one trade instead of four.
Operate for less
Faster constructionschedule savings
10–15%
Estimated energy savingsoperating cost reduction
20–30%
30%
up to 30% lower shell cost, up to 30% lower energy bills — on the same lot, with the same crew.

Savings estimates are averaged across past SABS projects and are not a guarantee of individual project savings.

Timelapse · Maui, Hawaii

Shell complete in 67 days

StartSept 17
EndNov 23
Crew4 people
Duration67 days

Where SABS fits

Markets for the SABS Building System

Roof panels installed on a SABS home
Crew setting SABS wall panels at sunset

Tract homes

Faster build times, lower costs, and superior durability for large-scale housing developments.

Custom homes

Endless design flexibility and outstanding energy efficiency, typically priced 10–20% below market.

Commercial

Speed, strength, and sustainability for offices, warehouses, retail, and mixed-use — up to four stories.

ADUs & pods

Backyard additions, gyms, and office pods — compact, code-compliant, and fast to deliver.

Residential · Volume

SABS tract homes

Tract home shell in SABS foam panels

Speed, budget, & efficiency

SABS tract homes are designed for speed, budget, and efficiency — streamlining construction timelines, reducing labor costs, and maximizing energy performance.

Finished modern tract home with wood and corten cladding

A look to impress

Applying finishes with SABS is simple: most claddings, stucco, or coatings can be applied directly to the system without extra steps.

Residential · Bespoke

SABS custom homes

Custom SABS home under construction in Hawaii
Finished custom SABS home with lawn

Design flexibility

SABS gives end users exceptional design flexibility, allowing unique layouts and finishes without sacrificing budget or build time. From modern to traditional styles, the system adapts easily while providing lasting durability, energy efficiency, and a polished final look.

Satisfaction

SABS delivers lasting satisfaction by combining strength, efficiency, and design flexibility.

Cost effective

SABS custom homes offer significant advantages, including affordability — typically priced 10–20% below the market average.

Customizable

SABS homes feature customizable exterior and interior finishes, including paint, drywall mud, façade finishes, and plaster, all applied directly on top of the SABScrete layer.

Commercial

SABS commercial

Commercial building shell in SABS panels with scaffolding

Large-scale builds with SABS

SABS is ideal for large-scale commercial builds, offering rapid construction, reduced labor costs, and long-term energy efficiency. Its durable, code-compliant system is perfect for offices, warehouses, retail centers, and mixed-use developments — delivering performance, speed, and lasting value.

Finished stucco commercial building built with SABS

Long-term solution

SABS is highly cost-competitive in commercial construction with shell savings of up to 30%, reducing material and labor expenses while accelerating project timelines. Its energy efficiency and low maintenance make it a smart long-term investment for developers seeking performance without exceeding budget.

Accessory dwelling units

SABS ADU

Back yard additions, offices, gym, & more

Finished stucco ADU being craned into place

Back yard add-on

SABS makes backyard add-ons quick and easy, with fast installation, minimal labor, and a clean finish. It's the ideal solution for affordable, durable expansions like offices, studios, or guest suites.

Modern gym ADU on a flatbed trailer

Gym ADU

SABS is perfect for gym ADUs, offering a fast, cost-effective build with excellent insulation and sound control. Its durable structure supports equipment loads and creates a comfortable, private space for year-round workouts.

Sculpted office pod being moved by forklift

Office pods

SABS office pods are a smart, efficient solution for creating private workspaces at home or on-site. Quick to build, energy-efficient, and highly durable, they offer a professional environment with long-term value and minimal maintenance.

Product line

SABS partition wall

Interior and infill walls for high-rise, hospitality, and commercial fit-outs — lightweight, fast, and finish-ready.

Installer setting a SABS partition panel
Long run of SABS partition wall

Foundation savings

15–20% lower foundation cost thanks to lightweight construction.

Speed of construction

Faster installation than conventional partition wall systems.

Less manpower & equipment

Fewer trades to coordinate and lighter equipment on site.

Less material

Less waste and improved jobsite efficiency.

Partition wall in the field

Fast installation, superior results

High-rise floor with SABS partition panels staged
Crews setting and coating partition walls
High-rise tower and finished walls
Finished restroom
Finished hotel corridor
Finished residential kitchen

Beyond land

SABS floating houses

Man-made islands and floating structures from foam hulls wrapped in glass-fiber-reinforced concrete — U.S. Patent US8262321B1, inventor Nasser Saebi.

Architectural drawing of a floating SABS house
Crew fabricating SABS foam hull sections
Finished floating house prototype
Abstract

The creation of man-made islands and other floating structures using composite materials such as plastic foam coated with a fiber-reinforced coating (FRC), including glass-fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC).

Related patents

Continuation of Ser. No. 12/455,855 (2009), priority to 61/131,194 (2008). Incorporates U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,308,490 and 6,912,488 (curved structures in habitable buildings) and 6,721,684 and 6,985,832 (manufacturing and analyzing a composite building).

Why it matters

Islands built by moving sand are enormously expensive. Foam-and-FRC hulls are light, buoyant, and fabricated with the same crews and materials as a SABS home.

Partnership

Why builders and developers partner with Xtrata

More projects.
More profit.
Less complexity.

Gain a competitive edge with faster builds, better margins, and full support from our account executives and quality-control team throughout construction.

Faster construction schedules

20–30% faster than conventional methods with the same crew.

Higher profit margins

Reduced labor, fewer trades, and shorter project cycles compound into better ROI.

Fewer trades to coordinate

One integrated system replaces framing, insulation, sheathing, and stucco.

Engineering & permitting help

Authority submittals, permitting guidance, and technical support on every project.

Competitive differentiation

Offer buyers lower utility bills and a certified, high-performance build.

Builder network

Certification & training

Every SABS project is built by a certified crew — trained by Xtrata, inspected by Xtrata.

Hands-on training

Practical training covering foam setup, adhesive use, and SABScrete application — the tools builders need for successful installation.

Certified & code-compliant

Participants earn SABS Certification, proving their ability to build with an ICC-ES approved, code-compliant system.

Ongoing support

Certified builders get continued support, updated resources, and expert guidance for every SABS project, big or small.

Where we've built

U.S. & global construction

United States — 12 states

WAORCANVIDMTWYUTCOAZ NMNDSDNEKSOKTXMNIAMO ARLAWIILMIINOHKYTNMS ALGAFLSCNCVAWVPANYVT NHMEMARICTNJDEMDAKHI

International — 10 countries & territories

ChinaMexicoGuamBelizeIranHaitiIndiaJapanPhilippinesDubai, UAE
Xtrata

Build with Xtrata.

Faster builds
Cost savings
Fewer trades
Lower labor dependency
Energy-efficient structures
Quality control and inspections
Technical support
Competitive differentiation
Xtrata.com | 1437 W Auto Drive, Tempe, AZ 85284, USA | ICC‑ES ESR‑1638
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