MPOB develops palm-based immersion cooling fluid for AI data centres

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board has developed Sawit EcoTherm, a palm-based immersion cooling fluid aimed at cutting water and energy use in data centres. Senior research officer Dr Noor Khairin Mohd told Bernama it turns cooling into a water-free process suited to AI and hyperscale facilities.

Key points

• She said traditional water cooling at data centres in Malaysia is projected to use 876 million litres a day, equal to the water needs of nearly four million people.
• AI servers generate three to five times more heat than conventional servers, according to her.
• The fluid is made from up to 95% renewable palm-derived materials and removing server fans can cut energy use by about 30 to 50 per cent, she said.
• The priority now is pilot projects and technical validation to build confidence among operators.

Why it matters for Malaysia

Water has become a flashpoint in Malaysia's data centre growth, so a locally sourced alternative has clear appeal. The claims still need proof in live facilities, which is why the researcher points to pilots and government support as the next step.

Questions answered

What is Sawit EcoTherm?

Sawit EcoTherm is a non-conductive, palm-based immersion cooling fluid developed by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. Server components are fully immersed in it, and it removes heat in a closed loop without cooling towers.

What savings does MPOB claim?

MPOB's Dr Noor Khairin Mohd said the fluid offers water-free cooling and can reduce energy consumption by around 30 to 50 per cent by cooling components directly and eliminating server fans.