Ecolab Buys CoolIT for $4.75B to Target AI Cooling Demand
Ecolab has agreed to acquire liquid cooling specialist CoolIT Systems from KKR for approximately $4.75 billion in cash, aiming to expand its presence in the fast-growing AI data center market.
The deal comes as technology companies increase investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, driving demand for advanced cooling solutions. Traditional air cooling is being replaced by liquid-based systems that can handle higher chip densities and energy loads.
CoolIT provides liquid cooling technology to major industry players, including chipmakers such as Nvidia and AMD. Its systems are widely used by hyperscale and colocation data center operators.
Ecolab expects the acquisition to strengthen its capabilities by combining CoolIT’s hardware and thermal engineering expertise with its own strengths in water management, chemistry and digital monitoring. This integration is expected to position the company as a more comprehensive provider of cooling and fluid management solutions.
CoolIT is projected to generate around $550 million in revenue over the next year. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026 and contribute positively to Ecolab’s earnings per share by 2028.