Va Q tec : New generation of high-tech insulation panels revolutionizes energy efficiency of industrial high-temperature applications

• The innovative panel solution va-Q-steel enables previously unattained good insulation values at low temperatures and high temperatures up to +400 °C.
• The improvement in insulation performance of over 200% compared to the previous 'best in class' solution enables an unprecedented reduction in energy losses.
• The use of exclusively non-combustible materials ensures outstanding fire protection properties which unfolds completely new perspectives for thermal insulation at high temperatures especially where space is at a premium.
• With the use of vacuum insulation and va-Q-steel, it is now possible to significantly increase the efficiency of fuel cells or high-temperature batteries as well as other future applications.

va-Q-tec expands its portfolio with the new vacuum insulation panel (VIP) va-Q-steel. This insulation panel reveals a completely new high-performance category in the industrial sector with previously unattained insulation values in high-temperature applications of up to +400 °C. Alongside high temperatures, an insulation material in panel form for low temperatures is now available for the first time with unique insulation values. This thermal insulation would be applicable for fuel cells, high-temperature batteries, furnaces, and also in cryogenic and low-temperature applications which will significantly increase thermal energy efficiency. With the product launch, va-Q-tec is not only opening another area of application for its insulation technology but also provides new perspectives for the worldwide reduction of industrial CO₂ emissions.

Record-breaking insulation values - even at high temperatures

The new VIP va-Q-steel consists of a core of fumed silica specially optimized for high-temperature applications and a high-barrier film of stainless steel. The advanced metal shell alone makes it possible to use for permanently acting very low to high temperatures of +400 °C or more. Furthermore, the highly efficient insulation material proves to be extremely durable with the use of recyclable materials as well as an excellent thermal conductivity of around
8.0 mW/(m*K) at temperatures averaging +200 °C. This is an absolutely disruptive value within the insulation sector for industrial applications comparing to previously available high-performance insulation materials (e.g. non-vacuumed, microporous silica insulating boards). va-Q-steel delivers approximately 200% better insulation values countered to conventional standard materials such as glass wool with only a thermal conductivity of approx. 40 mW/m*K.

In addition, this product innovation features all the advantages of va-Q-tec's VIPs, such as minimal material thickness sustaining the extremely high insulation values as well as the application of the patented va-Q-check process. As a result, the new VIP generation is the first high-temperature VIP whose high quality can be precisely tested during or even after installation by means of an uncomplicated measurement of the internal gas pressure. The use of va-Q-tec's VIPs is always an option when very good thermal insulation is required despite limited space and can be manufactured in various standard formats. When space is an issue, the decisive advantage of va-Q-steel is the prefect application for the industrial sector.

Innovative solution for the highly efficient use of industrial process heat

In view of the global effort to reduce CO2 emissions, new technologies are urgently needed for this purpose. Around 60% of global energy consumption is for thermal purposes where industrial process heat is considered the largest energy consumer with almost 30*104 GWh (2015) in Germany alone. Of this, 25% falls into the temperature range between +50 °C and +500 °C. Intelligent use and maximum savings of the supplied energy provides highly efficient value of this share, which is why innovative insulation materials such as va-Q-steel offer enormous advantages and positive prospects.

'With va-Q-steel, we are making a decisive contribution to increasing thermal energy efficiency. In particular, industrial process heat is commonly regarded as the problem child of the heat transition,' explains Tobias Bock, Head of Business Unit Technics & Industry / Mobility at va-Q-tec. 'If we manage to use this share with maximal efficiency, we will take a decisive step towards reducing CO₂ emissions. We are very proud to extend the application range of vacuum insulation panels to the spectrum of extreme low temperatures up to +400 °C for the first time with the new product variant in our portfolio. We are thus offering our customers significant added value and making a beneficial contribution to climate protection.'