Salute & Ecolab add cooling service for AI centres

Salute has partnered with Ecolab to add Ecolab's Cooling-as-a-Service offering to its direct-to-chip liquid-cooling operations for data centres running AI and high-performance computing workloads.

The agreement focuses on the "technology loop" in direct-to-chip liquid-cooling systems, which both companies describe as one of the more difficult elements in operating liquid-cooled AI infrastructure. Under the arrangement, Ecolab's service will be integrated into Salute's existing support for customers using direct-to-chip cooling in data centres.

Liquid cooling has drawn growing attention as operators adapt facilities for AI servers and other dense computing environments that generate more heat than conventional racks. Direct-to-chip systems deliver coolant to components such as processors, reducing reliance on air cooling alone. But they also create new operational demands around fluid management, monitoring and equipment protection.

The collaboration is intended to reduce complexity for customers adopting these systems as AI deployments expand. Salute provides lifecycle services for data centres and operates in more than 102 markets through 12 global offices, with a workforce of more than 2,200.

Known primarily for industrial water and hygiene services, Ecolab said its Cooling-as-a-Service programme combines water management, coolant distribution units, connected coolants and monitoring tools delivered through its service organisation. In data centres, the service is designed to manage the technical loop that circulates coolant through liquid-cooled computing equipment.

John Shultz, Chief Product Officer and AI and Learning Officer at Salute, described the deal as a response to the operational risks tied to AI infrastructure.

"To achieve operational excellence in AI environments, companies need to ensure the performance and reliability of the tech loop. It is the beating heart and circulatory system of your cooling systems, and it must be managed properly to prevent downtime and ensure performance. Ecolab's CaaS program does exactly that," Shultz said.

He added, "Ecolab is a globally trusted name in cooling management in dozens of industries; their solution for these cooling systems delivers tremendous value and peace of mind to data centre operators. Together, we are further mitigating the risks of liquid cooling and protecting the investments that companies are making in AI computing."

Cooling Demands

The partnership comes as data centre operators face a broader shift in facility design driven by AI training and inference workloads. These systems often require denser compute configurations and place greater strain on thermal management than traditional enterprise applications. In response, operators and service providers have been building support models around liquid cooling, including maintenance, monitoring and risk controls.

For operators, the challenge goes beyond installing liquid cooling hardware. They also need processes to monitor coolant quality, detect issues in circulation systems and reduce the risk of downtime or damage to costly equipment. That has created room for specialist service models rather than leaving operators to manage every part of the cooling loop internally.

Salute said a growing number of data centre operators have already adopted its direct-to-chip liquid cooling operations service. It describes the offering as a broad operational service for AI and HPC environments, with Ecolab's programme now part of that package.

Broader Market

The move also extends Ecolab's reach into a part of the digital infrastructure market where water and fluid management are becoming increasingly central to operations. The company reported annual sales of USD $16 billion and serves customers in more than 170 countries across 40 industries.

Mukul Girotra, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ecolab's Global High Tech division, said the company views technical loop management as a key issue for operators of AI and HPC sites.

"Ecolab's CaaS program simplifies one of the most complex aspects of AI operations: maintaining the performance of the technical loop that protects critical equipment in AI and HPC data centers," Girotra said.

He added, "This service addresses complex operations challenges for companies investing in high-performance computing and supports companies to tap into the unmatched experience and global resources that Ecolab provides. Ultimately, CaaS enables operators to drive performance while navigating the pressure of reliably doing more with less. We are proud to be working closely with Salute to help AI implementations be successful."

The deal is another sign that support services around AI infrastructure are becoming a larger part of the data centre market, as operators look beyond servers and power supply to the practical demands of cooling systems built for denser workloads.