Data Centers

Beyond cool. Leading edge piping systems for mission critical cooling.

Advanced Cooling Solutions for Data Centers

GF Piping Systems has more than 30 years of experience serving the semiconductor industry's most advanced microchip fabrication facilities. This experience informs the solutions we deploy in the world's top-tier data centers, where we cool the chips that our clients manufacture with our products. Our technical experts leverage GF’s global presence and mission-critical experience to help our clients realize their environmental and sustainability goals by reducing their carbon footprint and enhance their reliable and energy-efficient operations.

Beyond Cool

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Beyond Efficiency

We enable digital infrastructure with innovative, energy-saving fluid transport solutions that make facilities more reliable and sustainable than ever before. Our solutions can reduce the first and total costs of ownership while enhancing thermal and repeatable mechanical performance. 

Beyond Manufacturing

Off-site manufacturing of solutions from pump skids to rack manifolds for liquid cooling speed time to market, reduce construction bottlenecks, and offer traceable, repeatable excellence. As microchips increase in power and speed, our solutions help clients stay ahead of innovation and supply chains. 

Beyond Innovation

Ultrapure construction materials allow for the clean, safe, and efficient close-coupled cooling required for the CPUs and GPUs of today and tomorrow, paving the way for the net-zero data centers of the not-too-distant future.

Beyond Sustainability

We design and deploy data center cooling infrastructure with a lower carbon footprint than traditional construction materials, from raw material production to manufacturing, transport, and operation — lighter products with a longer lifespan for an environmentally friendly piping system.

What Our Customers Say

Luca Wehrle

Data Center Operations Manager, LEITWERK AG

"The selected factory pre-insulated solution COOL-FIT provides numerous advantages, including significant energy savings. The pipes effectively prevent temperature loss, reducing the energy required to cool our IT system. Additionally, COOL-FIT simplifies my daily tasks by minimizing concerns about temperature drops and potential leakages, allowing me to focus on other responsibilities with greater peace of mind."

Learn how to improve energy efficiency with COOL-FIT: watch video reference.

Success Stories

Less Carbon Footprint

Digital Edge DC, Singapore

GF provided corrosion-free HDPE pipes, superior welding tech, on-site support, and training for the Philippines’ largest carrier-neutral data center. This sustainable piping solution reduces NARRA1’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 135,000 kg CO2-eq.

Sustainable Cooling

Undisclosed, Ireland

GF’s ecoFIT PE-100 system was chosen for process cooling water at a new hyperscale data center in Ireland. This system combined with off-site fabrication has allowed on-site installation time, for the process water, to be reduced from 6 months to 6 weeks.

Quick Installations

HICSA, Northern Mexico

HICSA selected COOL-FIT pre-insulated piping for a large-scale cooling project in a Northern Mexico data center. These factory-insulated pipes and fittings are an energy-efficient and corrosion-free for sustainable cooling in the data center industry.

Professional Training

Kirby Group Engineering, UK

GF is a chosen key supplier for a data center under construction north of Zurich Airport. Offering knowledgeable, fast, and reliable training for installers in multiple languages. Training can be delivered in-house, on-site, or virtually.

Offsite Prefab

Rhodium ENT, USA

Rhodium Enterprises, a bitcoin mining data center company, uses immersion cooling to maximize efficiency by fully submerging servers. For their new Temple, TX data center, Rhodium designed an extensive piping network to support this advanced cooling method.

Our Solutions for Hyperscale and Co-Location Projects

Applications

Direct Liquid Cooling

Liquid cooling boosts efficiency but also raises safety concerns with pressurized water near CPUs. GF Piping Systems is the world's expert in high-quality pressure-bearing plastic pipe systems and has years of experience in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, offering maintenance-free and user-tailored solutions for reliable data centers.

Chilled Pumping Stations

Prefabricating pump station skids off-site with plastic pipes and valves offers significant advantages. The lightweight plastic allows large skids to be delivered and installed easily. ecoFIT PE-100, being UV and impact resistant, is ideal. GF Piping Systems offers compatible manual and actuated plastic and metal valves, seamlessly integrating into the system.

Chilled Rooftop Water

Pipe systems on rooftops for chillers and condenser units are open to environmental conditions daily and seasonally with temperatures hitting -25°/-13°F to +70°C / +158°F.  Harsh temperatures and general weathering (wind, rain, UV light) create demanding conditions that can be solved by GF Piping Systems PE-100 black and COOL-FIT (life-span of 25 years) . 

Energized Partnerships

Data Centers Portal

Exclusive Access

The information in this Web-Portal is specifically compiled for Mission Critical Facility stakeholders. It provides answers to various engineering topics related to replacing metal pipes with plastics and offers a comprehensive overview of applications and their value propositions.

Carbon Calculator

Free Tool for Comparing Materials

Thermoplastic piping systems can reduce the carbon footprint by up to 80% compared to metal systems. Use our user-friendly calculation tool to easily compare energy consumption from raw material production to manufacturing and end-of-life. Begin your eco-friendly journey today!

We Are a Member

The Open Compute Project is a fast-growing global community of engineers dedicated to designing and delivering the most efficient server, storage, and data center hardware for scalable computing. GF Piping Systems has proudly joined this innovative initiative in 2024.

FAQs

What types of plastic piping systems are best for data center cooling applications?

Plastic piping solutions made of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), PE100, PVC-U, PVC-C, or factory-pre-insulated PE piping systems are optimal for data center cooling applications. These systems are corrosion- and maintenance-free and offer low thermal conductivity, high energy efficiency, and superior thermal insulation. GF Piping Systems provides complete system solutions, including pipes, fittings, valves, actuation, and measurement and control devices, that are tailored to the robust requirements of data centers.

Why should I choose plastic piping systems over traditional metal ones for my data center?

For data center planners, engineers, and owners, plastic piping systems offer numerous technical advantages over traditional metal ones. Plastic piping solutions are corrosion-resistant, ensuring long-term reliability and minimal maintenance—key factors for uninterrupted data center operations. The low thermal conductivity of plastic piping enhances energy efficiency, resulting in significant energy consumption reduction and lower operational costs. Moreover, plastic pipes are lightweight and easier to install, reducing labor costs and installation time. Made from recyclable materials, these systems support sustainable cooling practices and contribute to a lower carbon footprint. By choosing plastic piping systems, you benefit from advanced green technology, sustainable future initiatives, and resilient infrastructure for efficient data center cooling.

How easy is it to install plastic piping systems in existing data center infrastructure?

Plastic piping systems are designed for easy installation in new and existing data center infrastructure. The lightweight nature of the plastic components, combined with innovative jointing technology such as electrofusion or butt fusion, simplifies the installation process. In addition, GF Piping Systems offers specialized training for installers so that the piping system can be seamlessly integrated into your digital infrastructure, ensuring minimal disruption and a quick setup.

What are the maintenance requirements for plastic piping systems in data centers?

Plastic piping systems are essentially maintenance-free. Pipes, fittings, and valves made of thermoplastic materials are resistant to corrosion, scaling, and chemical degradation, reducing the need for frequent inspections and repairs. This leads to significant operational cost savings and contributes to the overall energy efficiency benefits of data center cooling systems.

How do plastic piping systems perform under high-pressure conditions?

Plastic piping solutions are engineered to perform under the conditions of data center cooling applications. Pipes and fittings made of HDPE, PE100, PVC-C, and PVC-U, including pre-insulated pipes and fittings, are designed to withstand high pressures while maintaining their structural integrity and energy efficiency. This ensures reliable and consistent cooling performance for your data center.

Can plastic piping systems handle the specific cooling demands of large-scale data centers?

Yes, plastic piping systems are highly capable of meeting the cooling demands of large-scale data centers. With applications in liquid cooling, and immersion cooling, these systems provide efficient heat transfer and energy consumption reduction. They are part of innovative technology solutions that support resilient infrastructure and energy-saving solutions for large-scale operations.

What is the cost comparison between plastic and metal piping systems for data center cooling?

Plastic piping solutions offer a cost-effective alternative to metal piping systems for data center cooling. Due to their lightweight and easy-to-install nature, they require a lower initial investment. Furthermore, the maintenance-free systems and long-term energy efficiency benefits result in significant operational cost savings over time, making plastic piping systems a financially viable option for data centers.

How can plastic piping systems help reduce overall operational costs in a data center?

Plastic piping systems reduce overall operational costs in data centers through their high energy efficiency and low maintenance requirements. Their low thermal conductivity minimizes energy loss, leading to energy consumption reduction. Additionally, using recyclable materials and green technology supports a sustainable future, reducing global footprint and lowering operating expenses.

Are plastic piping systems environmentally friendly and sustainable?

Plastic piping systems are designed with environmental sustainability in mind. Many types, such as HDPE, PE100, PVC-U, and PVC-C, are made from recyclable materials, with some, like PVC-U, incorporating renewable materials. These systems are engineered to reduce energy consumption and lower carbon footprint. Thermoplastic pipes and fittings require significantly less energy during production and transport than metal piping systems, resulting in a reduced overall CO2 footprint. GF Piping Systems provides Environmental Product Declarations for its products, detailing their environmental impact and sustainability benefits.

What materials are used in the production of plastic piping systems for data centers?

Pressure piping systems for data centers are typically made from high-quality polymers known for their durability, low thermal conductivity, and UV resistance. These include high-intensity polyethylene (HDPE), PE100, PVC-C, PVC-U, and factory pre-insulated HDPE. These advanced materials ensure that the pipes are vapor-tight and capable of meeting the rigorous demands of data center cooling applications. Their use enhances energy efficiency and contributes to the overall resilience and reliability of the digital infrastructure, making them ideal for various application requirements.

Do you offer design and consultation services for implementing plastic piping systems in data centers?

Yes, we offer comprehensive design and consultation services for implementing plastic piping systems in data centers. We deliver cooling solutions beyond the expectations of this highly demanding tech-based industry, with a total offering that encompasses all the needs of owners and contractors of large-scale data center projects to operate 24/7 with peace of mind. Our experts work closely with your team to develop customized solutions that meet the specific cooling requirements of your data center. From initial design to installation and maintenance, we provide complete system solutions that ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency.

Georg Fischer Piping Systems Ltd

Ebnatstrasse 111

8201 Schaffhausen

Switzerland

GF logo on the headquarters building