Melamine Foam Replacing Glass Wool: A Key Step in Northern China's Heating Network Upgrade

CHENGDU, China - June 23, 2025 - PRLog -- A Major Overhaul for Northern China's Urban Heating Network

Summer is the prime season for overhauling district heating pipelines in Northern cities—an initiative known locally as "treating winter's illness in summer." Since 2024, national policies such as the "Two New, Two Heavy" infrastructure programs have prioritized the upgrade of underground networks for heating, gas, and water as key components of urban modernization.

The 2024–2025 Energy-Saving and Carbon Reduction Action Plan mandates a 2% decrease in urban heating pipeline heat loss by 2025 compared to 2020 levels. As of 2023, centralized heating coverage reached 14.32 billion square meters, but average heat loss remained high at 20%, with over 40% of pipes in service for more than 15 years. Aging infrastructure and frequent failures signal the need for systemic reconstruction—not just repairs.

Why Melamine Foam Can Replace Glass Wool

Glass wool, a traditional pipe insulation material, suffers from major drawbacks:

• High moisture absorption and condensation lead to elevated heat loss
• Brittle and dusty, creating poor working environments and health concerns
• Short lifespan and high maintenance costs
• Limited insulation performance that no longer meets energy efficiency standards

By contrast, melamine foam (https://www.sinoyqx.com/products/melamine-foam/) from SINOYQX surpasses glass wool across all key performance metrics, making it the ideal upgrade for district heating:

Performance Index   Glass Wool   Melamine Foam

Thermal Conductivity   ~0.040–0.045 W/m·K   As low as 0.035 W/m·K

Fire Resistance   A1-grade   Intrinsic B1-grade

Water Absorption   <1%, ultra-low    High; prone to condensation

Operating Temp. Range   -40°C to +120°C   -180°C to +240°C

Environmental Safety   Fibrous dust, irritating   Dust-free, eco-friendly, biodegradable

Service Life   5–10 years   Over 15 years

Case Studies: In cities like Yanbian (Jilin), Hohhot (Inner Mongolia), and Handan (Hebei), SINOYQX melamine foam pipe (https://www.sinoyqx.com/applications/industry-fields/pipe...) shells have been successfully adopted for underground heating pipeline retrofits. When paired with smart control systems, heat loss was reduced by over 18%, earning formal recognition by local authorities.

Supporting Carbon Reduction and Energy Efficiency Goals

Northern China's heating sector emits nearly 1 billion tons of CO₂ annually, about 10% of China's total emissions, comparable to the transport sector. Although district heating is not the largest source, high heat loss and inefficiency remain critical issues.

Melamine foam enables a shift from the pipe level:

• ✅ Reduces heat loss by 2–4 percentage points
• ✅ Increases system operating efficiency by 8–15%
• ✅ Indirectly reduces fuel consumption (natural gas or other heat sources)
• ✅ Supports demand-based smart heating