Hidden champion in the cryogenic field: How PIR insulation materials become a new name card for Made in China

  In the liquefied natural gas storage and transportation environment of minus 196℃, a foam material called polyisocyanurate (PIR) is quietly guarding the country's energy security. With an ultra-high closed-cell rate of more than 90%, this modified polyurethane material has shown irreplaceable advantages in the field of low-temperature pipeline insulation. Its thermal conductivity remains stable in a cryogenic environment, and its energy saving rate is increased by more than 30% compared with traditional materials, making it a core supporting material for equipment manufacturing companies such as CIMC Enric. With the accelerated construction of China's LNG receiving stations, the localization process of PIR is ushering in a golden period of development.

  Standard certification is the technical cornerstone for opening up the international market. At present, the three major standard systems of EU EN 14308, US ASTM C591 and China GB/T 39936 have jointly constructed a quality assessment framework for PIR materials. These standards impose strict requirements on performance in a wide temperature range of -200℃ to 200℃: Taking the SY/T 7350 low-temperature insulation specification as an example, the material must pass the -165℃ protective hot plate method to test the thermal conductivity, and at the same time meet moisture-proof indicators such as short-term water absorption ≤3% (EN 1609 standard). Leading domestic companies such as Yantai Wanhua have passed the UKCA certification in the UK, and their on-site spray PIR system meets the fire protection requirements of EN 14320-1 for fuel pipeline insulation, paving the way for entering the European infrastructure market.

  Process innovation continues to release the application potential of PIR. Traditional block foam products require complex cutting in the construction of special-shaped pipelines, while on-site spraying technology uses special equipment to spray the mixed liquid directly onto the surface of the metal pipeline, and forms a seamless insulation layer after foaming. A case of an engineering company in Shanghai shows that this technology has increased the insulation construction efficiency of LNG ship pipelines by 50% and eliminated the cold bridge effect. What is more noteworthy is that the oxygen index of modified PIR foam can reach more than 32% (EN ISO 1182 test), far exceeding ordinary flame retardant materials, which makes it quickly replace rock wool products in explosion-proof scenarios such as oil storage tanks.

  Facing the goal of carbon neutrality, the PIR industry chain is building a green closed loop. The bio-based isocyanate developed by the Nanjing R&D team reduces the carbon footprint of raw materials by 40%; and the recycling technology of Guangdong companies can convert building demolition waste into insulation filling particles. These breakthroughs are in line with the new sustainability requirements of the EU CPR regulations for building products, and are also a strategic path to circumvent the UKCA certification trade barriers in the UK. It is estimated that PIR products using 30% recycled materials can reduce carbon emissions by 1.8 tons per ton, which is of great significance to the carbon emission reduction of terminal application products such as elevator room insulation boards and cold chain logistics boxes.

  To win the international competition, domestic brands need to make breakthroughs in three dimensions: deepen the cooperation between industry, academia and research to develop ultra-low temperature foaming formula, participate in the revision of ISO 9229 international standard to gain the right to speak, and build a technology-based brand image through digital platforms such as Fanke website building - just like the official website of an environmental protection technology company uses dynamic process demonstration to intuitively show the advantages of PIR closed-cell structure, and the number of overseas inquiries increased by 200% in half a year. When China's manufacturing shifts from cost advantage to technology narrative, hidden champion materials such as PIR will reshape the global industrial landscape