Whirlpool Corporation has achieved notable recognition for its SlimTech™ insulation technology as it received Fast Company’s ‘Innovation by Design’ award in the Home category and an honorable mention for ‘Design of the Year.’ This breakthrough represents the first vacuum-insulated structure technology for refrigerators in North America, replacing traditional polyurethane foam with a proprietary, powder-based material enclosed in a vacuum.

The SlimTech™ insulation technology enhances refrigerator design by increasing internal storage capacity, improving thermal efficiency, and enabling more sustainable disposal options. The innovation’s potential impact is significant, particularly in reducing landfill waste. With approximately nine million refrigerators discarded annually in the U.S. alone, SlimTech™ insulation technology offers a pathway toward more eco-friendly appliance disposal, pending the development of specialized recycling processes.

Whirlpool positions this advancement as a milestone in its 113-year history.

Image Credit: Whirlpool Corporation