Growth Factors of data center cooling Market
The global data center cooling market was valued at USD 18.78 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 21 billion in 2026, ultimately reaching USD 54.18 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 12.60% during the forecast period. North America dominated the market in 2025 with a 38.70% share, driven by the high presence of hyperscale operators, early adoption of liquid and immersion cooling, and sustainability initiatives.
Data center cooling includes technologies and systems designed to regulate temperature, humidity, and airflow in data centers to ensure optimal performance of servers, storage devices, and networking equipment. Efficient cooling is critical for avoiding overheating, minimizing downtime, and improving energy efficiency, especially as AI, high-performance computing (HPC), cloud services, and edge computing generate increasing thermal loads. The market is also witnessing innovations in liquid cooling, free cooling, and modular systems to meet sustainability and efficiency targets.
Leading players such as Schneider Electric, Vertiv Holdings Co., and STULZ GmbH dominate the market through a combination of innovative cooling solutions, strategic partnerships with hyperscale operators, and extensive service and support networks globally.
MARKET DYNAMICS
Market Drivers
- Growing Demand for Hyperscale and Cloud Data Centers: Rapid digital transformation, AI adoption, big data analytics, and streaming services are increasing IT load densities, requiring advanced cooling solutions. For example, in 2024, Amazon Web Services (AWS) planned to double its data center capacity in Virginia and Ohio, incorporating liquid cooling for AI workloads.
- Edge Computing & AI Workloads: Increasing use of edge infrastructure and high-performance AI systems drives demand for energy-efficient and scalable cooling solutions.
Market Restraints
- High Capital Investment & Energy Consumption: Advanced cooling technologies like immersion cooling or direct-to-chip liquid cooling involve significant capital expenditure, specialized infrastructure, and maintenance, which may restrain adoption, particularly for smaller data centers. Traditional air-based systems, while less expensive, are less energy-efficient.
- Regulatory Challenges: Stricter regulations on carbon emissions and power usage effectiveness (PUE) force operators to upgrade equipment, posing adoption challenges. In the U.S., cooling can account for 30-40% of a data center's energy budget, further impacting operational costs.
Market Opportunities
- Rise of Green Data Centers: Investment in free cooling, liquid cooling, and modular systems is increasing as operators aim for net-zero targets. AI and digital twins for real-time thermal management create new opportunities for smart, adaptive cooling solutions.
- Example: In 2024, Microsoft announced a hydrogen-fueled clean data center in Sweden using next-generation liquid immersion cooling for carbon neutrality.
MARKET TRENDS
- Shift Toward Liquid & Immersion Cooling: Traditional air cooling is being complemented by liquid cooling solutions, especially for AI and HPC workloads, which offer higher efficiency, lower PUE, and improved rack density. For instance, Google deployed AI-optimized liquid cooling in 2023, reducing energy consumption by over 30%.
- Sustainability-Focused Technologies: Growing adoption of energy-efficient, modular, and green cooling systems is driving innovation and market growth.
SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS
By Product
- Products include air conditioners, precision air conditioners, liquid cooling, air handling units (AHUs), chillers, and others.
- Air Handling Units (AHUs) led in 2026 with 26.62% market share due to their ability to regulate airflow, temperature, and humidity efficiently, making them ideal for medium-to-large data centers.
By Data Center Type
- Segments: Small-scale, medium-scale, large-scale
- Small-scale data centers dominated in 2026 with 36.14% share, driven by SMEs and edge operators.
- Large-scale data centers are expected to register the highest growth rate (13.3%), due to hyperscale cloud provider investments for AI and big data workloads.
By Industry
- Segments: BFSI, IT & telecom, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, energy & utilities, others
- IT & telecom dominated in 2024 due to cloud adoption, 5G infrastructure, and hyperscale data center growth.
- Retail expected to grow at a 14.7% CAGR, driven by e-commerce and omnichannel requirements.
REGIONAL INSIGHTS
- North America: Market size of USD 7.28 billion in 2025, growing to USD 8.1 billion in 2026; U.S. projected at USD 5.26 billion in 2026. Growth driven by hyperscale operators (AWS, Google, Microsoft) and early adoption of liquid cooling.
- Asia Pacific: Estimated at USD 3.64 billion in 2025, projected USD 3.64 billion in 2025; China: USD 1.43B (2026), India: USD 0.9B (2026), Japan: USD 0.92B (2026). High CAGR due to digital economies, 5G initiatives, and cloud uptake.
- Europe: USD 5.00B in 2025; UK: USD 2.1B (2026), Germany: USD 1.23B (2026). Driven by EU energy efficiency regulations and digital infrastructure investments.
- South America & Middle East & Africa: Steady growth; South America: USD 1.06B (2025); Middle East & Africa: USD 1.8B (2025), led by government initiatives and colocation expansion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Key players focus on energy-efficient solutions, green cooling, and strategic collaborations:
- Schneider Electric (France)
- Vertiv Holdings Co. (U.S.)
- STULZ GmbH (Germany)
- Daikin Industries Ltd. (Japan)
- Johnson Controls International plc (U.S.)
- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan)
- Danfoss (Denmark)
- Airedale International Air Conditioning Ltd. (U.K.)
Recent Developments:
- August 2025: Brookfield Asset Management invested USD 10B in AI and liquid cooling data center campus in Sweden.
- July 2025: Vertiv acquired Great Lakes Data Racks & Cabinets for USD 200M.
- February 2025: Schneider Electric acquired Motivair Corporation to enhance liquid cooling offerings.
CONCLUSION
The global data center cooling market is projected to grow from USD 18.78 billion in 2025 to USD 21 billion in 2026, reaching USD 54.18 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 12.60%. Growth is driven by hyperscale and edge computing, cloud services, AI workloads, and sustainability mandates. North America leads the market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Trends like liquid and immersion cooling, green data centers, and AI-optimized cooling solutions are shaping the future of the industry.
Segmentation By Product
- Air Conditioners
- Precision Air Conditioners
- Liquid Cooling
- Air Handling Unit
- Chillers
- Others (Air Economizers, Heat Rejection, etc.)
By Data Center Type
- Large Scale
- Medium Scale
- Small Scale
By Cooling Technique
- Room Based Cooling
- Rack Based Cooling
- Row Based Cooling
By Industry
- BFSI
- IT and Telecom
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Healthcare
- Energy and Utilities
- Others (Government & Defence, Education, etc.)
By Region
- North America (By Product, Data Center Type, Cooling Technique, Industry, and Country)
- Europe (By Product, Data Center Type, Cooling Technique, Industry, and Country)
- Germany
- U.K.
- France
- Nordics
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific (By Product, Data Center Type, Cooling Technique, Industry, and Country)
- China
- Japan
- India
- Southeast Asia
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- South America (By Product, Data Center Type, Cooling Technique, Industry, and Country)
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Rest of South America
- Middle East & Africa (By Product, Data Center Type, Cooling Technique, Industry, and Country)
- GCC
- South Africa
- Rest of the Middle East & Africa