Whirlpool Corporation introduced SlimTech insulation, the first vacuum insulated structure (VIS) technology in a refrigerator in the North American market. This technology represents a significant step forward in refrigeration technology, which has long relied on bulky polyurethane foam for insulation.
By using a proprietary material that is vacuum-sealed within the door or sides of the refrigerator itself, SlimTech insulation can reduce the wall thickness by up to 66% – allowing for up to 25% more capacity inside the refrigerator.
SlimTech insulation technology will make its debut in 2024 on the doors of select JennAir luxury 30 in. Slimtech Insulation Column refrigerators, and will roll out more broadly across KitchenAid refrigerators in the future, utilizing the technology for the entire structure.
The material used in SlimTech insulation technology also has the potential to be recycled, and Whirlpool Corp. is working to map out a path to reclaiming the material at a refrigerator’s end of use, paving the way for a more circular future.
Beyond adding refrigerator capacity and increasing the potential for sustainability, SlimTech insulation technology also unlocks additional consumer benefits.
- Increasing the thickness of SlimTech insulation walls can reduce thermal conductivity, allowing a refrigerator to be up to 50% more energy efficient.
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SlimTech can keep food fresh for longer by reducing temperature swings from door openings by cooling up to 30% faster.
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SlimTech insulation technology will enable more interior customization via metal interiors with cleaner angles that eliminate the need for the molded plastic interiors common in today’s refrigerators.
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Fewer compressor cycles are needed to maintain cool temperatures, meaning SlimTech refrigerators deliver even quieter refrigeration.
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With SlimTech insulation technology Whirlpool Corp. aims to revolutionize how consumers think about refrigeration in their homes by allowing for more discreet refrigeration spaces that could be seamlessly brought to other rooms of the house or be contained within other pieces of furniture.
Refrigerators with SlimTech insulation will be built at Whirlpool Corp.’s operations in Ottawa, Ohio. The company has invested $65 million in the plant.
