The fridge of the future has way thinner walls and more shelf space thanks to a new insulation material

• Whirlpool is coming out with a new insulation material to make your refrigerator a bit more roomy.
• The company claims its Slimtech insulation will make fridge walls 66% thinner, giving 25% more capacity.
• Over the past few years, efforts to make "smart" fridges have emerged from companies like Samsung.

People who constantly run out of space in their fridges may be interested in a new fridge-liner material that was recently announced by Whirlpool. Whether you have a big family or way too many roommates, these spacious fridges are looking to switch things up by offering thinner walls.

The company says the new insulation allows it to cut the thickness of its fridge walls by as much as 66%, meaning more space for your food and drinks. Whirlpool says the thinner insulation will increase a refrigerator's capacity by 25%. 

The first fridge to get the treatment will be the JennAir Luxury 30-inch Slimtech Insulation Column, which is set to launch in 2024. Whirlpool says fridges with SlimTech insulation will be 50% more energy efficient compared to those without it.

The fridges should also keep your food fresh for a longer period of time, as they will cool food up to 30% faster, according to the company. The idea is this could help keep food at a cool temperature even if you open the door frequently. 

There have been efforts to modernize fridges in the last decade or to make them "smart," with Samsung and others introducing fridges that have cameras inside and screens on the outside. The Samsung Bespoke Refridgerator with Family Hub Plus, for example, was announced in late 2022 and comes with a 32-inch touchscreen that functions like a tablet and lets you take photos, watch TikToks, and place orders on Amazon.  

In 2023, the refrigerator market was estimated at around $8.32 billion, according to Statistica.

While it's not clear if Whirlpool's new tech will cath on with consumers, it's an interesting look at where at least one fridge-maker is trying to change the design of a staple appliance amid wider competition.