On June 28, the four-day 2018 Asia Outdoor Exhibition officially kicked off at the Nanjing International Expo Center. At 3:30 PM, the launch event for the revolutionary insulation material “You Bei Nuan” was held at the 7A stage area. Zhong Feipeng, engineer of the new You Bei Nuan material, shared the powerful advantages of this groundbreaking insulation material with the audience on-site and answered their questions one by one. After the session, Mr. Zhong also gave an interview to reporters, further elaborating on what makes the You Bei Nuan fabric unique.
Q: Can “You Bei Nuan” replace down or synthetic cotton as insulation fillings?
Zhong Feipeng:In a test conducted by a third-party professional organization we commissioned, “You Bei Nuan” with a thickness of 1.5 mm achieved a clo value of 1.345, equivalent to that of a lightweight down jacket 6–7 mm thick or synthetic cotton 3 cm thick. In other words, for the same level of warmth, “You Bei Nuan” is only 1/5 the thickness of a down jacket. This is extremely attractive to consumers who are already burdened by heavy winter clothing and desire something thin, light, and stylish.
Moreover, we know that down jackets impose many restrictions on fabric choices due to the need to ensure warmth and prevent feather leakage, which also limits their fashion appeal. “You Bei Nuan,” on the other hand, can not only serve as an insulating filler but can also be combined with other fabrics for more innovations, offering greater versatility in style.
Therefore, “You Bei Nuan” will definitely become mainstream among insulation materials in the future. However, it won’t completely replace down or synthetic cotton right away. Instead, it will lead a new trend, gradually reducing their usage—mainly due to limitations in production capacity.
Q: Will the production limitations you mentioned be overcome through technological advancement in the future?
Zhong Feipeng:Actually, our technical research has long been completed and we have successfully applied for a national patent. We are currently in the process of applying for international patents, which we believe will be granted soon. Afterward, we will increase production efforts. However, as the world’s only producer, the output of “You Bei Nuan” will inevitably not be able to meet all market demand—especially as more customers and consumers learn about its advantages of being thin, warm, and eco-friendly. The market gap will only grow larger. My estimate is that production capacity will remain a major challenge for us over the next 8–10 years.
Q: In which fields is “You Bei Nuan” mainly used?
Zhong Feipeng:We chose to launch the product at this Asia Outdoor Exhibition because it pairs exceptionally well with outdoor apparel. Outdoor activities often lead to wet clothes due to rain, sweating, rafting, wading, and other factors. Down jackets lose insulation when damp, and synthetic fabrics offer weak windproofing and low warmth. Yet “You Bei Nuan” retains excellent insulation even when wet, solving the most common issue faced by outdoor enthusiasts. Of course, besides outdoor clothing, it can also be effectively used in everyday apparel and military uniforms.
And beyond clothing, shoes also require warmth, breathability, and comfort even when damp. The inclusion of “You Bei Nuan” is sure to bring a delightful surprise to those troubled by these issues.
Additionally, it can be applied to car rooftops. The interior of a car under scorching summer sun can get unbearably hot, but adding “You Bei Nuan” can significantly lower the cabin temperature.
Beyond that, it can also be used for insulation in refrigerators, for warmth and soundproofing in wallpaper, and for anti-eavesdropping features in curtains… In short, “You Bei Nuan” can transcend various fields.
Q: As a new material, how does “You Bei Nuan” differ from other new materials such as graphene or heating fibers?
Zhong Feipeng:Graphene is a widely applicable material with vast potential, but its use in clothing is currently limited to the “electric heating” stage, which may not be very convenient. Many heating fibers generate heat by absorbing moisture emitted by the human body, which leads to issues with sustainability… Many new materials are not yet fully mature in technology or have certain limitations in applicable fields. In contrast, “You Bei Nuan” holds significant advantages in the textile and apparel sector.
Q: What are your expectations for the future development of “You Bei Nuan”?
Zhong Feipeng:I am confident that once “You Bei Nuan” enters the market, it will make a huge impact on consumers. We will first let them experience its thinness and exceptional warmth. Once they feel it, word-of-mouth will spread rapidly, leading more people to recognize and embrace our product.
Moreover, from the start of its R&D, “You Bei Nuan” has placed environmental protection as its top priority—both the production process and the final product are environmentally friendly and harmless. I have always believed that only eco-friendly, sustainable products can truly thrive, gain broader development prospects, and achieve a better long-term future.
This article is reprinted from Huayi Net. Original author: Tian Hui.