Header photo source: i2Cool.
Amid mounting concerns over global warming and energy scarcity, conventional air conditioning systems are coming under renewed scrutiny for their outsized power consumption and environmental cost. Not only do these systems guzzle electricity, but they also rely heavily on hydrofluorocarbons, which are refrigerants that contribute to ozone depletion and intensify the greenhouse effect. In densely built urban areas, the heat expelled by outdoor air conditioning units further compounds the urban heat island effect.
Cooling systems now account for roughly 20% of global electricity use, according to the International Energy Agency. By 2050, global demand is expected to triple, and related emissions could reach between 4.4–6.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent, accounting for over 10% of total global emissions. In this context, innovation in cooling technology is becoming essential to efforts aimed at energy conservation and carbon neutrality.
To mark its third anniversary, i2Cool held an event at the Qianhai International Conference Center in Shenzhen and introduced what it calls the industry’s first powder coating product based on radiative cooling principles. Named i2 Powder, the coating can be integrated into powder coating processes already used in building materials factories, enabling manufacturers to embed cooling functions during production.
Powder coatings are widely seen as an environmentally friendlier alternative to traditional liquid coatings, offering zero emissions of volatile organic compounds and greater material stability. Their use has been growing in construction and industrial sectors.
Compared with liquid coatings, i2 Powder can reportedly be applied directly onto building materials via standard powder coating lines. This increases application efficiency, removes the need for drying steps, and enhances durability by making the surface more resistant to weathering in outdoor environments.
i2 Powder is already being produced in-house, and i2Cool plans to scale up manufacturing at its own factory. Alongside this product, the company has introduced upgraded coatings, window films, and coil-based materials, positioning them as part of a broader suite of passive cooling solutions.
Expanding its product line to the consumer market, i2Cool also launched a new sub-brand, Infinity Kelvin. The apparel line uses micro-nano structured materials woven into textiles to reflect sunlight and dissipate heat, offering a cooling effect. It includes sun-protective jackets, polo shirts, cycling arm sleeves, and umbrellas, aiming to integrate passive cooling into everyday items.
Since its founding, i2Cool has focused on developing cooling technologies that operate without electricity or refrigerants. The company conducts R&D in Hong Kong while handling commercialization in Shenzhen, resulting in a product lineup that spans coatings, window films, sheet materials, and textiles. These are used across sectors including construction, chemicals, power and telecommunications, renewable energy, logistics, grain storage, and photovoltaics.
i2Cool said it has launched over 100 pilot projects and operates in more than 20 countries and regions, covering a cumulative installation area exceeding 400,000 square meters.
As of October 2024, the company claimed its technologies have helped reduce carbon emissions by over three million kilograms, which equates roughly to planting more than 200,000 trees.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.