Company Profile

About i2Cool

i2Cool is transforming how the world approaches electricity-free cooling technology. The company was founded by experts from the School of Energy and Environment at the City University of Hong Kong. Our team has taken groundbreaking research, published in prestigious journals like Science, and turned it into commercial applications that revolutionize energy efficiency. Our innovative products, including passive radiative cooling paints and films made from polymers and proprietary nanomaterials, boast exceptional solar reflectivity and mid-infrared emissivity, reducing surface temperatures by up to 42 °C. With a presence in over 29 countries across various industries such as architecture, the chemical industry, power and telecom, new energy, logistics, grain storage, and photovoltaic, i2Cool is at the forefront of creating green communities and advancing global sustainability. Embrace our cutting-edge solutions and join us in our commitment to a cooler, greener future.

Top 2% of scientists globally

Worldwide client partnerships across 20+ countries

100

Implemented more than 100 projects worldwide

Founders

Ir Prof. Edwin Chi-Yan TSO

Co-founder Associate Dean (Internationalisation and Outreach) & Associate Professor, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong World’s Top 2% Scientists (Mechanical Engineering) BEng (Hon), MPhil, PhD, CEng, MHKIE, MIMechE, MASME, MCIBSE, RPE

Prof. Martin Zhu

CEO & Co-founder Adjunct Professor, Management Department of Business College, City University of Hong Kong Member of the Green Technology and Finance Development committee of the Hong Kong SAR Government Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area Outstanding Young Entrepreneur PhD, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong

Ir Prof. Christopher CHAO

Co-Founder Vice President (Research and Innovation), Hong Kong Polytechnic University Chair Professor, Thermal and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University World’s Top 2% Scientists BSc (Eng), MS, PhD, FHKEng, FHKIE, FASME, FASHRAE, FIMechE, FCIBSE, FISIAQ

Technology Development

Inspired by the hair structure of Saharan silver ants, the R&D team of i2Cool has successfully transformed cutting-edge research prototypes into large-scale commercial products after 7 years of in-depth research. By optimizing material particles and blending high-molecular polymers with inorganic particulates, i2Cool has developed low-cost solutions with optimal optical and thermal properties, boasting an impressive 95% solar reflectivity and mid-infrared emissivity. This breakthrough surpasses the reflectivity limit of previous thermal insulation coatings.

7+ Years of In-depth Research

Over 30 R&D Staff

80+ Authoritative Journal Papers

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10+ Patent Certifications

Global Footprint

The electricity-free cooling products have found applications in industries as diverse as architecture, chemical industry, power & telecom, new energy, logistics, grain storage, and photovoltaic, etc., spanning across more than 20 countries and regions including Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.

100 +

Successfully drive proven results of over 100 projects

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Projects span over 20 countries and regions

100,262 m²

The Application Area

1,813,507 kWh

Energy Saved

1,630,869 KG

Carbon Emission Reduced

101,929 Trees

The Equivalent of Planting

Development Milestones

Starting from 2016 Year 2021 Year 2022 Year 2023 Year 2024

7 years of technology incubation

2016: Initiated research on passive radiative cooling technology, drawing inspiration from Saharan silver ants;
2020: Obtained several international patents for the composite passive radiative cooling paint and its preparation method;
2021: Won the prestigious "Gold Medal with the Congratulations of the Jury" at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in Switzerland in March.

From the lab to the market

In March, translated academic research into practical applications with the support of CityU HK Tech 300 innovation and entrepreneurship programme;
In June, i2Cool (Hong Kong) established;
In November, the first commercial product of electricity-free cooling coating, iPaint, successfully landed, applied to historical buildings in Central Market, Hong Kong.

Coordinated development of the Greater Bay Area

In February, obtained HKD 1 million from HK Tech 300 Angel Fund; i2Cool (Shenzhen) established in the same year;
In May, obtained angel investment and signed an angel investment agreement with China Prosperity Capital to explore the broad market in the Greater Bay Area;
In June, set up a 6,000 ㎡ joint venture factory in Guangzhou and putting it into full operation;
In August, selected as one of Forbes Asia 100 TO WATCH.

Research and business go hand in hand

In March, won the Gold Award of USD 1 Million in the 2nd TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition jointly organized by Towngas and SPIC;
In March, electricity-free cooling technology introduced to market of the Middle East, applied in many projects including Emaar's Dubai Mall and EIH's containers;
In May, reached a cooperation intention of over RMB 10 million with LHS, a subsidiary of EIH in Abu Dhabi, to expand the market in the Middle East for electricity-free cooling products;
In August, obtained Series Pre-A funding from Silicon Harbour Capital, HKX Qianhai Fund and CWB Capital;
In November, obtained Series Pre-A+ funding from Silicon Harbour Capital;
In November, publication of the latest scientific research achievement, cooling ceramics, in Science

Comprehensive upgrade

In May, all-round upgrading of electricity-free cooling paint (iPaint), with tailored solutions across diverse industries;
In May, obtained Series A funding at RMB 100 million level, with investors including Trustar Capital, Peiport Holdings and Towngas, followed by several existing shareholders;
In June, selected for the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme to develop next-generation passive radiative cooling technology;
In June, i2Cool settled in Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch, unleashing new momentum through Shenzhen-Hong Kong collaboration;

Influence and Honors

Acclaimed Presence at the China International Import Expo: Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, visited the booth for discussions.

Focusing on Global Climate Change and Participating in COP28: Mr. Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR and his delegation visited the booth for discussions.