Malaysia’s MPOB Develops Palm Oil-Based Cooling Fluid for AI Data Centres
The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has developed Sawit EcoTherm, a palm oil-based immersion cooling fluid intended for data centres and AI data centres, according to a report from national news agency Bernama. The fluid is positioned as a more sustainable option that can reduce water use in data centre cooling, though it is not yet available commercially.
- MPOB has developed Sawit EcoTherm, an immersion cooling fluid made from Malaysian palm oil for data centres and AI data centres.
- The fluid is designed to be sustainable and to reduce the use of water in data centre cooling.
- Sawit EcoTherm is not yet available commercially, and no pricing details have been announced.
What is Sawit EcoTherm?
Sawit EcoTherm is an immersion cooling fluid developed by MPOB, Malaysia’s government agency for palm oil research and development. The name references sawit, the Malay word for oil palm. According to the Bernama report highlighted by TechNave, the fluid is sourced from Malaysian palm oil and is intended for use in cooling data centres and AI data centres.
Immersion cooling works by submerging server hardware in a non-conductive fluid, which removes heat more efficiently than traditional air-based systems. In this case, the selling point is sustainability: the palm oil-based fluid is expected to reduce the amount of water used in cooling operations.
Why data centre cooling matters
Data centres generate significant heat, and cooling is one of the largest operational costs and environmental concerns for the industry. AI workloads in particular have pushed up power and cooling demands, which has renewed interest in liquid cooling approaches. Closed-loop immersion systems already use similar oils and fluids, so the material itself is not new to the industry, but a palm oil-derived option developed by a national research body is a distinctive addition to the field.
The development also gives Malaysia’s palm oil industry a potential new downstream use case at a time when the country is positioning itself as a regional data centre hub. However, MPOB has not yet disclosed how much Sawit EcoTherm would cost, and commercial availability has not been announced.
FAQ
What is Sawit EcoTherm?
It is a palm oil-based immersion cooling fluid developed by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board for use in data centres and AI data centres, intended to reduce water use in cooling.
Is Sawit EcoTherm available for purchase?
Not yet. The fluid has been developed but is not yet available commercially, and no pricing details have been released.
Who reported the development?
The development was reported by Malaysian national news agency Bernama and highlighted by technology site TechNave.
Source: TechNave
Cover image generated by AI for illustrative purposes only.
