What Types of Cold Storage Insulation Materials Are There?

Cold storage insulation materials can be classified by material into three major categories: organic insulation materials (mainstream and general-purpose), inorganic insulation materials (fire-resistant), and new special insulation materials (for special scenarios), covering 9 core types. The detailed classification and characteristics are as follows:

 I. Organic Insulation Materials (Mainstream for Cold Rooms, Over 90% of Usage)

These materials offer excellent thermal insulation performance and low density, making them the preferred insulation choice for cold rooms:

 1. Polyurethane (PUR/PIR) Series (Industry First Choice)

- Forms: On-site spray foam, prefabricated insulation panels

- Core performance: Thermal conductivity 0.022~0.024 W/(m·K) (excellent insulation), closed-cell rate ≥95%, fire rating B1/B2, temperature resistance -60°C to 120°C

- Advantages: Seamless sealing (spray-applied), strong moisture resistance, service life 15~20 years

- Disadvantages: Relatively high cost

- Applications: Cold rooms across all temperature ranges (fresh-keeping/refrigeration/freezing/ultra-low temperature), pharmaceutical cold chain, large commercial cold storage

 2. Polystyrene Series (High Cost-Performance Option)

 ① EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)

- Performance: Thermal conductivity 0.038~0.042 W/(m·K), fire rating B2

- Advantages: Low cost, lightweight and easy to install

- Disadvantages: Average insulation, joints prone to cold leakage

- Applications: Small fresh-keeping rooms at 0~5°C, temporary cold storage

 ② XPS (Extruded Polystyrene)

- Performance: Thermal conductivity 0.028~0.030 W/(m·K), fire rating B2, high compressive strength

- Advantages: Good water resistance, strong compressive strength, superior to EPS

- Disadvantages: Still has joint cold bridge issues

- Applications: Medium-temperature cold rooms (0 to -10°C), cold room floor insulation

 3. Phenolic Resin Board

- Performance: Thermal conductivity 0.020~0.025 W/(m·K), fire rating B1, temperature resistance -150°C to 200°C

- Advantages: Combines fire resistance and insulation, withstands high and low temperatures

- Disadvantages: Brittle, prone to chipping, high cost

- Applications: Special cold rooms with alternating high and low temperatures, chemical cold storage

 II. Inorganic Insulation Materials (Fire-Resistant, Class A Non-Combustible)

These materials offer maximum fire resistance but average insulation performance, mainly used in scenarios with high fire protection requirements:

 1. Rock Wool / Mineral Wool

- Performance: Thermal conductivity 0.035~0.045 W/(m·K), Class A non-combustible

- Advantages: Absolutely fireproof, high-temperature resistant, good durability

- Disadvantages: Extremely hygroscopic (moisture barrier required), average insulation

- Applications: Cold rooms with high fire protection requirements, fire isolation belts, cold storage for flammable and explosive materials

 2. Glass Wool

- Performance: Thermal conductivity 0.038~0.048 W/(m·K), Class A non-combustible

- Advantages: Lightweight, fireproof, corrosion-resistant

- Disadvantages: Highly hygroscopic, dusty during installation

- Applications: Insulation for cold room ventilation ducts, auxiliary fire protection layers

 3. Foamed Cement (Largely Obsolete)

- Performance: Thermal conductivity 0.06~0.08 W/(m·K), Class A non-combustible

- Advantages: Fireproof, compressive strength

- Disadvantages: Very poor insulation, heavy weight

- Applications: Only for auxiliary insulation of cold room floor bases, rarely used now

 III. New Special Insulation Materials (For Special Scenarios)

 1. Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP)

- Performance: Thermal conductivity 0.004~0.008 W/(m·K) (3 times the insulation of polyurethane)

- Advantages: Ultra-thin and highly insulating, minimal space occupation

- Disadvantages: Extremely high cost, cannot be punctured or damaged, requires customization

- Applications: Ultra-low temperature cold rooms below -60°C, pharmaceutical cold chain, micro cold rooms

 2. Aerogel Insulation Material

- Performance: Thermal conductivity 0.012~0.018 W/(m·K), Class A non-combustible

- Advantages: Superior insulation, fireproof, ultra-low temperature resistance

- Disadvantages: Extremely expensive

- Applications: Deep-freeze cold rooms (below -100°C), special research cold storage

 3. Bio-Based Eco-Friendly Insulation Material (New in 2026)

- Materials: Polylactic acid (PLA), bamboo fiber foam

- Advantages: Biodegradable, eco-friendly, odorless

- Disadvantages: High cost, not yet widely adopted

- Applications: High-end food cold storage, projects with strict environmental requirements