Exploring Alternatives and Breaking Material Dependency

In long-term industrial applications, traditional rigid insulation materials face limitations such as narrow selection range, high cost, and inconsistent performance—hindering the scalability of overhead high-temperature pipelines. In 2019, Wanli Pipeline initiated new material R&D aimed at developing a cost-effective rigid insulation material with comparable performance, promoting standardized, efficient, and economical pipeline systems.

Joint R&D – Defining the Foamed Calcium Silicate Path

Yichuang partnered with the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (CAS) to form a joint R&D team focusing on key properties such as low density, high strength, high thermal resistance, and water resistance. Over three years, the team conducted extensive formulation development and lab simulations, overcoming challenges like pore structure stability and thermal conductivity optimization. This laid the technical foundation for the development of foamed calcium silicate materials.

Industrialization process: Build a pilot production platform and promote mass production and application.

In 2021, Yichuang New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. was officially established, fully undertaking the industrialization tasks of the project. Relying on the technical and engineering resources of the Institute of Thermal Engineering and Power Systems of Zhejiang University and Ningbo Wanli Pipeline, the company has initiated pilot-scale verification in Zhejiang, continuously optimizing system modules such as forming processes, drying procedures, and structural regulation. Ultimately, a mature formula and manufacturing process with industrial production capacity are formed. The product performs stably in multiple indicators such as thermal conductivity, durability, and water resistance, and has outstanding cost advantages and resource utilization rates, achieving both economic and social benefits.

Product launch: High performance, multi-scenario application.

Foamed calcium silicate was officially launched on the market in 2022. It integrates "high-efficiency insulation, high strength, low density, high temperature resistance, water resistance and environmental friendliness", and is widely used in thermal pipelines, industrial systems and building energy conservation and other fields. The material part adopts industrial solid waste as the basic raw material, which not only saves energy and reduces consumption, but also realizes the resource utilization of waste, conforms to the development direction of green building materials, and has won wide acclaim from the market and customers.

After half a year of research and debugging, the intelligent production line for foamed calcium silicate was successfully tested, marking a major technological breakthrough for Yichuang in the field of intelligent and automated production and laying a solid foundation for the company's future development

Standardization – Establishing Industry Guidelines

On June 1, 2024, Yichuang led the development and release of the group standard "Hydrated Foamed Calcium Silicate Insulation Product" (Standard No. T/CIEEMA 010-2024). This standard systematically defines product performance, safety metrics, and application conditions, marking a transition from product innovation to industry standardization, and solidifying Yichuang's technical leadership in the rigid insulation material sector.

Looking Ahead

Yichuang will continue to focus on material innovation, leveraging the 30 years of engineering experience and market resources of its parent company Wanli Pipeline. By deepening its industry-academia-research integration, Yichuang aims to drive the advancement of high-performance insulation materials and expand sustainable thermal insulation solutions for green energy systems—striving to become a leading force in the development of rigid insulation materials in China.