The Heating Mat Market Heats Up Amid the 'Arctic Cold Wave'... Boiler Rivals Face Off

Kiturami Carbon Mat Expected to Grow 30% This Year
Kyungdong Navien Sleep Mat Sales Also Up 38%

As the recent cold wave continues, the heating mat market is experiencing a boom. Heating mat companies are targeting consumers who are huddled against the biting cold below minus 10 degrees Celsius by emphasizing safety, convenience, and functionality. In particular, Gidulami and Kyungdong Navien, who have been competing head-to-head in the domestic boiler market, are competing to gain market leadership by launching differentiated products.

2024 Model Gidulami 3rd Generation Carbon Mat Ondol

On the 21st, Gidulami announced that sales of carbon mats this year are expected to grow by 30% compared to last year. Last year, Gidulami's carbon mat sales grew by 20% compared to the previous year and accounted for about 10% of Gidulami's total domestic sales. It is explained that this is expected to increase even more this year.

Gidulami introduced the ‘3rd generation carbon mat ondol’ in 2020. This product improved various safety issues such as harmful electromagnetic waves and fire risks of the 1st generation electric mats and leakage and bacterial growth of the 2nd generation water mats. This year, they released the ‘2024 model Gidulami 3rd generation carbon mat ondol’ with new features added. To enhance durability along with safety, the core heating element, the ‘carbon heating wire,’ underwent 800,000 bending tests. Gidulami explained that even if the mat is folded 100 times a day, it can withstand over 20 years of use. Additionally, the carbon heating wire was fixed to the mat using a special heat pressing method to prevent the wire from detaching even when washed in a laundry net. A Gidulami representative said, "The 3rd generation carbon mat has undergone thorough certification and testing so that users can use it with confidence in any environment."

Navien Sleep Mate Carbon

Kyungdong Navien’s heating mat, the ‘Sukmyeon Mat,’ also saw a 38% increase in sales compared to the same period last year as of last month. The Sukmyeon Mat controls temperature in 0.5-degree increments to ensure comfortable sleep. Depending on the heating method, customers can choose between the ‘Sukmyeon Mat Water’ and the ‘Sukmyeon Mat Carbon.’ This considers that just as sleep temperature varies by body type, preferences for types of warmth may differ.

Safety is also secured. The ‘Sukmyeon Mat Carbon’ detects temperature changes through heating wires distributed throughout the mat, so if only part of the mat overheats, the entire power supply is cut off. The ‘Sukmyeon Mat Water’ continuously circulates hot water, so it has a relatively lower risk of fire caused by heat storage compared to electric mats on the market. Nevertheless, the part connecting the mat and boiler is covered to prevent burns, and if overheating of the water tank or heater is detected, the power is automatically cut off to prevent fire.

An industry insider said, "The heating mat market has grown from around 50 billion KRW in 2012 to 500 billion KRW last year as it evolved from electric blankets to water mats and carbon mats," adding, "Thanks to the ongoing cold wave, high growth is expected this winter."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.