MPOB Develops Palm Oil-Based Cooling Fluid For Data Centres

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has created Sawit EcoTherm, a palm oil-based immersion cooling fluid for data centres. This innovative fluid is designed to cool entire servers rather than just processors, making it a revolutionary solution for data centres facing increasing heat generation from advanced AI hardware.

Developed by MPOB's Advanced Oleochemical Technology Division, Sawit EcoTherm is a non-conductive, dielectric fluid made from locally sourced palm-derived materials. Conventional water-based cooling systems consume an estimated 876 million litres of water daily across Malaysia’s data centre industry, equivalent to the water needs of nearly four million people.

Sawit EcoTherm uses a closed-loop immersion cooling system, reducing water demand and eliminating the need for cooling towers that lose substantial amounts of water through evaporation.

The fluid's efficiency extends to reducing electricity consumption by around 30% to 50% by directly cooling server components, eliminating the need for conventional fans and improving power usage effectiveness (PUE). Furthermore, Sawit EcoTherm is PFAS-free, readily biodegradable, and has low ecological toxicity, addressing sustainability priorities such as water conservation, energy efficiency, carbon emissions reduction, and environmental protection.

To prove its potential, Sawit EcoTherm will need to undergo real-world testing in data centre environments, with government support and collaboration from various industry stakeholders. This technology could help Malaysia establish itself as a global leader in sustainable immersion cooling, leveraging locally sourced palm-derived materials for a distinctive advantage.