On Monday, Whirlpool Corporation announced what it calls a breakthrough innovation. It’s called SlimTech insulation and it essentially cuts refrigeration insulation requirements by two-thirds.
Like the name says, Whirlpool Corporation says the new insulation will slim down the walls of certain kitchen appliances by up to 66%. According to the company, that space savings means more room for storage, better design, and quieter, more efficient operation.
“For the past 112 years, we have shaped the landscape of modern home appliances in the kitchen and the laundry room, developing products that have improved life at home for millions of consumers from the introduction of the first electric wringer washer and first home dishwasher,” said Marc Bitzer, Whirlpool Corporation chairman and CEO. “SlimTech insulation is yet another turning point for the industry, and this launch is just the beginning of how we will utilize this technology.”
The statement from Whirlpool goes on to say that the breakthrough will deliver benefits ranging from increased capacity and quieter performance to the potential for increased sustainability and design flexibility.
The company statement says SlimTech insulation will launch in 2024 on select JennAir refrigerators and will later expand to the KitchenAid brand.
There are also environmental benefits. According to the statement, the material used in SlimTech insulation technology 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.”
“For years, low recyclability due to polyurethane foam has created a significant barrier to making refrigerators more sustainable and reducing environmental impact,” said Pam Klyn, Whirlpool Corporation’s executive vice president of corporate relations & sustainability. “This is an extremely important leap forward on the journey to a more circular approach to home appliances. Implementation of SlimTech insulation marks the beginning of the end for foam insulated refrigerators.”
The company also indicates the new insulation technology will help with design choices, it will eliminate the need for molded plastic interiors found in most refrigerators, it will mean fewer compressor cycles to maintain cool temperatures, and potentially deliver quieter refrigeration.
“Slimtech insulation technology – along with other recent product launches – shows our commitment to innovation and will allow us to expand our market share and our margins,” said Bitzer.
Refrigerators with SlimTech insulation will be built at Whirlpool Corp.’s operation in Ottawa, Ohio. The company has invested $65 million in the plant.
