The colorful non-metallic insulation jacketing application for piping systems Photo: Courtesy of Sylolink

In recent years, the market for thermal insulation materials for construction engineering in China has been surging, reaching 117.62 billion yuan ($17.3 billion) in 2019, a year-over-year increase of 22 percent. In policies for peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality, various requirements have emphasized thermal insulation engineering and techniques. As such, thermal insulation materials themselves are an increasing consideration for building energy conservation and emission reduction.

Attracted by the broad development in this space, thousands of enterprises and professionals have poured into the field. Among them, Zou Yuanjie has emerged as an eminent representative of engineering thermal insulation. Mr. Zou, already a longtime thermal insulation engineering veteran, has added knowledge of engineering management and experience in the R&D of new materials. His unique and eclectic background has garnered him an elevated reputation among his peers.

Zou Yuanjie, general manager of Sylolink Photo: Courtesy of Sylolink

Mr. Zou has been serving as general manager of Shanghai ­Sylolink Material Technology Co. Ltd. (aka Sylolink) since 2010. During these years, Zou has been responsible for the overall operation and management, technical R&D, production, application, marketing and sales, and client services for advanced piping engineering thermal insulation materials. Under his leadership, Sylolink has maintained a compound annual growth rate of over 30 percent.

Mr. Zou has made outstanding contributions to the R&D and application of engineering thermal insulation materials. While managing the company, he specialized in the R&D of new insulation materials as well as oversaw the development of 30-plus patented technologies and led the team that created the world's leading polymer, ultra-thin dust-free ultra-clean high-end PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) foam insulation materials.

Photo: Courtesy of Sylolink

In their raw form, these materials are powdery and granular with translucent and white colors. Looking into their physical characteristics, the molecular chains are closely arranged and the hydrogen bonds are very strong. Into technical specs, their oxygen index is 46 percent, and crystallinity reaches 65 to 78 percent. The results are desirable properties such as light weight, low thermal conductivity, good heat resistance, super durability, hydrophobicity (water repellence), and oleophobicity (oil repellence). The thermal insulation materials based on PVDF are the best high-end hygienic thermal insulation materials in the world at present. Sylolink is one of the top two enterprises in the world that have mastered the technology of these thermal insulation materials; the other one is the UK's Zotefoams company.

Mr. Zou has also been at the head of teams behind remarkable accomplishments. The Kelesi® colorful non-metallic insulation jacketing material and high-end hygienic ultra-thin PVDF foam insulation have tremendous advantages over other products. The colorful non-metallic insulation jacketing protection maintains a clean, beautiful appearance for piping. These products meet the flame retardant B1 level and European and US industry standards and requirements.

Photo: Courtesy of Sylolink

Through technical advantages, products developed by Mr. Zou have gradually replaced traditional materials across an array of piping projects in various industries. As a result, Sylolink has won the favor of industry giants, including Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Foxconn, Pfizer, and Intel in China. In addition, Sylolink's products received China's Luban Prize (the highest honor in construction and engineering) and have been used in national architectural treasures. 

Other recognition has revolved around the rapid development of data center projects in China in the past nine years, wherein the Kelesi® colorful non-metallic insulation jacketing material redefined the design and dramatically improved the overall effectiveness of the chilled and cooling water systems at data centers. For instance, since 2013, Zou's new products have been applied across the HVAC systems at the data centers of Baidu, 360, Tencent, Alibaba, and other major internet companies, as well as China Mobile and China Unicom, two major communication operators in China. All have regarded the Kelesi® colorful non-metallic insulation jacketing as the best thermal insulation material for their HVAC systems.

Photo: Courtesy of Sylolink