Whirlpool Corporation introduces 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.
«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 – explains 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.»
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.
