The future of refrigeration will launch this
year in limited JennAir® 30 in. Column refrigerator doors and
will later expand to KitchenAid brand
BENTON
HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation will feature SlimTech™
insulation, the first vacuum insulated structure (VIS) technology
in a refrigerator in the North American market, at CES 2024.
SlimTech™ insulation represents a significant step forward,
unlocking increased capacity, better performance and future design
evolutions, while paving the way for increased sustainability
options when it is time to replace the appliance.
SlimTech™ Insulation Technology starts with a proprietary,
highly porous powder blend. That powder is vacuum-sealed within the
door or sides of the refrigerator itself, removing the need for
bulky polyurethane foam insulation and reducing the wall thickness
by up to 66% - allowing for up to 25% more capacity inside the
refrigerator. This 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.
"Whirlpool Corporation and JennAir brand once again are on the
cutting edge of innovation and design with the introduction of
SlimTech™ insulation," said Chelsey
Whitehead, director of product and brand marketing for
JennAir. "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."
SlimTech™ Insulation Technology also unlocks the potential
for more discreet refrigeration spaces that could be seamlessly
brought to other rooms of the house or be contained within other
pieces of furniture.
"SlimTech™ insulation technology will help Whirlpool Corporation
revolutionize how we think about refrigeration in our homes," said
Rob Moser, vice president of design
for Whirlpool Corporation. "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."
In addition to design and capacity benefits, the material used
in SlimTech™ insulation technology has the potential to be
recycled, reducing the overall environmental impact of
refrigerators. This would mark a significant advancement in the
sustainability of refrigerators as the polyurethane foam used in
many of today's refrigerators creates a significant barrier to
making these appliances recyclable. Whirlpool Corporation is
working to map out a path to reclaiming the material used in
SlimTech™ insulation at a refrigerator's end of use, paving the way
for a more circular future.
Additional consumer benefits that SlimTech™ insulation
technology can unlock include:
- The proprietary material used in SlimTech™ insulation can
reduce the wall thickness by up to 66% - allowing for up to 25%
more capacity inside the refrigerator.
- Increasing the thickness of SlimTech™ insulation walls can
reduce thermal conductivity, allowing a refrigerator to be up to
50% more energy efficient.
- SlimTech™ insulation can keep food fresh for longer by reducing
temperature swings from door openings by cooling up to 30%
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.
CES attendees can experience SlimTech™ insulation technology
first-hand at the Whirlpool Corporation suite, located in the
Venetian Expo (Bellini #2102) from January
9-12.
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best
global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of
improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the
company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs
of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including
Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht,
JennAir, Indesit, Yummly and InSinkErator. In 2022, the company
reported approximately $20 billion in
annual sales, 61,000 employees and 56 manufacturing and technology
research centers. Additional information about the company can be
found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation