Why Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) are Replacing Polyurethane in Modern Refrigerators

As a supplier from Hebei, China, we’ve seen a massive shift in how global fridge manufacturers approach insulation. Traditional 10cm thick Polyurethane (PU) walls are no longer enough to meet strict energy standards like EU A+++.

Here is why Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) with aerogel or fumed silica cores are becoming the industry standard.

1. VIP vs. Traditional PU: The Data Gap

The biggest advantage of VIPs is the ultra-low thermal conductivity. While PU foam typically sits at 0.025 W/m·K, our VIPs with aerogel cores can reach 0.0020 W/m·K.

2. Real Gains: Space and Freshness

In our recent projects with overseas fridge makers, the feedback focuses on two areas: Storage Volume and Food Quality.

Capacity Boost: One client transformed a 300L side-by-side model into a 360L storage beast simply by slimming the walls from 10cm to 2cm. This allows for sleeker, built-in kitchen designs.

Temperature Stability: VIPs reduce temperature swings to ±0.5°C (compared to ±3.0°C in PU fridges). For the end-user, this means strawberries stay fresh for 7 days with only 3% weight loss.

3. The Tech Inside: Barrier Film & Core Material

To ensure these panels last 15+ years in a fridge, we focus on two critical components:

7-Layer Barrier Film: Prevents gas leakage (<0.001 cm³/m²·day).

Nano-Porous Aerogel: Traps heat at the molecular level. Even if the vacuum is slightly compromised over a decade, the core still outperforms foam.

4. Is the Cost Worth It?

Initially, VIPs were expensive. However, with factory prices now often under 200 RMB/m², the ROI is clear. An EU A+++ fridge using VIPs can save over 1,500 Euros in electricity bills over 10 years, making the "VIP premium" pay for itself within the first 24 months.