  We report on synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic, thermodynamic and
transport properties of the new compound YbPd$_2$In, crystallizing as a Heusler
structure type. A trivalent state of the rare earth was determined by fitting
the magnetic susceptibility with a Curie-Weiss law. This compound is
characterized by showing very weak magnetic interactions and a negligible Kondo
effect. A specific heat jump was observed at $T\approx 250$ mK, followed at
higher temperature by a power law decrease of $C_P(T)/T$. The resulting large
electronic entropy increase at very low temperature is rapidly shifted to
higher temperature by the application of magnetic field. This magnetocaloric
effect places YbPd$_2$In as a very good candidate for adiabatic demagnetization
cooling processes.
