Skip to main content
European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
CORDIS Web 30th anniversary CORDIS Web 30th anniversary
Content archived on 2024-06-18

Development of low-cost, lightweight Highly Insulating Polymers for refrigerated transport, heating and cooling installations

Article Category

Article available in the following languages:

Keeping cool on the cheap

A brand new class of polymer insulation material called HIP offers high thermal resistance useful for refrigerated transport, heating and cooling installations. Combined with low production costs, this new material improves efficiency of products, installations and processes.

Over 40 % of the EU's energy consumption is used for heating/cooling in buildings, hot water, for industrial process heat and heat in the service sector. In Europe, 12 % of vehicles used to transport goods (e.g. ice cream) are insulated. This EU-funded project, HIP , produced a new class of polymer insulating materialmaterial. The low-cost, highly insulating polymer material is based on high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating. Following a review of techniques and formulations of polyHIPEsone formula produced the perfect material for maximum cost savings. The HIP material will last 25 years, has a thermal conductivity of 0.015 W/mK and costs less than EUR 500 per cubic metre. Small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from using refrigerated vehicles by reducing fuel consumption without sacrificing payload. The fuel cost savings are typically EUR 4 000 per vehicle. Because of this new highly insulating polymer material the cost savings are enormous on the 37000 refrigerated containers in the EU. The material, complies with the EU Parliament Directive of 2013. Examples of compliance include: using minimal materials, efficiencies created in pumps and solar thermal systems, and reduced emissions thanks to the HIP material's design. This product has potential for worldwide use as an effective insulation solution with expected savings of over EUR 50 million just in the EU.

Keywords

Polymer insulation, thermal resistance, refrigerated transport, energy consumption, high internal phase emulsion, fuel consumption, payload

Discover other articles in the same domain of application