Whirlpool debuts its SlimTech Insulation Technology at CES2024

Whirlpool Corporation has featured its SlimTech insulation, the first vacuum insulated structure (VIS) technology in a refrigerator in the North American market, at CES 2024.

Its technology will make its debut later this year on the doors of select JennAir luxury 30 in. SlimTech Insulation Column refrigerators, and will roll out more broadly in KitchenAid refrigerators in the future, utilizing the technology for the entire structure.

Chelsey Whitehead, Director of Product and Brand Marketing for JennAir, commented: “Whirlpool Corporation and JennAir brand once again are on the cutting edge of innovation and design with the introduction of SlimTech insulation.

“The JennAir refrigerators featuring SlimTech insulation will provide a greater ability to keep food fresher, longer, while also elevating and transforming kitchen spaces for design professionals and consumers alike.”

Its SlimTech Insulation Technology starts with a proprietary, highly porous powder blend, which is vacuum-sealed within the door or sides of the refrigerator itself, removing the need for bulky polyurethane foam insulation and reducing 0:00 / 1:28 1 the wall thickness by up to 66 per cent – allowing for up to 25 per cent more capacity inside the refrigerator.

Rob Moser, Vice President of Design for Whirlpool Corporation, said: “SlimTech insulation technology will help Whirlpool Corporation revolutionize how we think about refrigeration in our homes.

“With thinner walls, SlimTech insulation unlocks the ability to use refrigeration in previously unreachable or unthought of spaces – we’re excited about all the potential future applications.”

Its technology also unlocks the benefits:

• Increasing the thickness of SlimTech insulation walls can reduce thermal conductivity, allowing a refrigerator to be up to 50 per cent more energy efficient.
• SlimTech insulation can keep food fresh for longer by reducing temperature swings from door openings by cooling up to 30 per cent faster.
• 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.
• Fewer compressor cycles are needed to maintain cool temperatures, meaning refrigerators with SlimTech insulation deliver even quieter refrigeration.

It has not said whether the technology will be featuring in appliances in the UK.