Ecolab announced it has agreed to acquire CoolIT Systems, a company focused on liquid cooling technology for AI data centers. CoolIT is expected to generate about $550 million in sales over the next 12 months. The deal is intended to expand Ecolab’s presence in the data center market and support growth in its Global High-Tech and Global Water segments.
CoolIT develops liquid cooling systems such as coolant distribution units, cold plates, and direct-to-chip technologies. The company has over 25 years of experience and works with large hyperscale and colocation data center operators. Demand for liquid cooling is increasing as data centers handle more advanced AI workloads.
Ecolab said combining CoolIT’s thermal engineering with its own expertise in water, chemistry, and digital monitoring will strengthen its Cooling-as-a-Service offering. The company expects this to improve performance, reduce downtime, and lower water use in data centers.
Ecolab will pay about $4.75 billion in cash, subject to adjustments. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending approvals.
“AI is transforming the demands on data centers, and liquid cooling is one of the critical technologies that makes advanced computing possible,” said Christophe Beck, Ecolab chairman and chief executive officer. “By bringing together CoolIT’s engineered cooling technologies with Ecolab’s expertise in water, chemistry and digital service, we can provide our customers a complete cooling solution that improves performance and reliability while reducing water and energy use. This acquisition expands our role in serving the AI ecosystem—semiconductor fabs that manufacture chips, power plants that fuel the chips, and data centers that utilize the chips—and positions Ecolab as the partner that the world’s largest technology companies rely on to grow responsibly and sustainably.”
The company expects the acquisition to contribute to sales growth within a year of closing. It also said the deal will be financed with new debt, with leverage expected to decrease within two years.
