Innovation Changes the World
After eight years of research and development, Y-Warm Technologies Co., Ltd. has developed Y-Warm®, a flexible polymer-based thermal insulation material that combines extremely low thermal conductivity with an ultra-thin, lightweight structure.
This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for insulation design, helping manufacturers reduce thickness and bulk while retaining flexibility.
A Different Approach to Insulation
Aerogels are known for their exceptionally low thermal conductivity. However, conventional silica aerogels are inherently brittle, which can make them difficult to use without reinforcement or incorporation into composite materials.
Y-Warm takes a different approach. Based on functional polymer technology, it uses a micrometer-scale closed-cell structure with nanoscale cell walls to combine thermal insulation with flexibility.
Y-Warm has a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.020 W/(m·K). Its structural characteristics include:
Cell wall thickness: 20–280 nm
Cell diameter: 30–190 μm
Closed-cell ratio: above 95%
Porosity: above 96%, excluding the substrate
This structure provides a foundation for lightweight thermal insulation in applications where thickness, flexibility, and ease of integration matter.
Less Bulk, Greater Design Freedom
In clothing, Y-Warm is placed between the outer fabric and the lining, where it helps reduce heat transfer from the body to the colder surroundings.
Unlike down and conventional fiberfill, which rely heavily on loft to trap relatively still air, Y-Warm incorporates insulating closed cells within a thin polymer structure. This offers a different route to warmth, giving designers greater freedom to create slimmer, lighter garments.
Its fabric-like form makes it suitable for integration into multilayer products, including outerwear, gloves, footwear, and outdoor equipment.
Beyond Thermal Insulation
Y-Warm also combines water-vapor permeability, quick-drying properties, and antibacterial performance, supporting moisture management and comfort alongside thermal insulation.
In a company-conducted low-temperature evaluation, the material was exposed to −60 °C for seven days, with no visible damage or noticeable change in hand feel reported.
With an operating temperature range of −50 °C to 150 °C, Y-Warm offers potential applications across apparel, footwear, outdoor gear, cold-chain packaging, automotive interiors, construction, and other thermal insulation applications.
Supporting More Responsible Design
By offering an ultra-thin alternative to conventional bulky insulation, Y-Warm creates opportunities to reduce material use and reliance on animal-derived insulation.
The material has also undergone testing for substances of very high concern (SVHCs) under the EU REACH Regulation and met the requirements covered by that assessment.
For Y-Warm, technological progress means developing insulation solutions that bring together performance, practical usability, and more responsible resource use.
From Research to Production
2013: Research and development project launched
2017: Flexible closed-cell insulation successfully developed in the laboratory
2019: Technical validation completed
2021: Mass production began
Eight years of development brought Y-Warm from an initial concept to a practical insulation material, opening new possibilities for thinner, lighter thermal protection.
Company Information
Company: Y-Warm Technologies Co., Ltd.
Product: Y-Warm®
Address: Room 304, Block D, AI Yuandian Building,
45 Chengfu Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
Website: https://www.y-warm.com
Email: fp.zhong@y-warm.com
