A Beijing-based company, MatrixTech Technologies, has developed a new thermal insulation material that it claims can provide the same insulation effect as leading brands, but with a quarter of the weight.

The material, Y-Warm, has undergone testing by SATRA, the manufacturer has said, and provides high levels of moisture permeability, quick-drying and antimicrobial properties in addition to the weight advantage.

Chief technology officer of MatrixTech, Feipeng Zhong, has said Y-Warm has already been successfully applied in garments and gloves in China and that the material will start going into footwear this coming winter.