Benefit 1: Three cooling loops – one supplier
One plastics portfolio for all three cooling loops
Modern data centers increasingly rely on liquid cooling with several interconnected loops. Typically a condenser water system CWS, a facilities water system FWS and a technology cooling system TCS close to the IT load. If different materials and suppliers are used for each loop, interfaces become complex and responsibility is fragmented. AGRU solves this with a coordinated thermoplastics portfolio that covers all three loops from the water source right up to the rack.
For the CWS, AGRULINE PE 100-RC provides robust, corrosion free pipes and fittings for buried mains, cooling tower connections and chiller lines. The low weight simplifies handling on construction sites. especially for large diameters and XXL pipes. The material is designed for long term pressure service and harsh outdoor conditions. so the backbone of your cooling water distribution remains stable over decades.
In the FWS loop, AGRUCHEM PE and PP systems take over. They connect chillers, heat exchangers and CDUs inside the building and route cooling water to the white space. Here, temperature control, noise and vibration management are critical. AGRU supports this with compatible fittings, valves and fixing systems that are tailored to plastics. This ensures safe operation even where long runs and frequent temperature changes occur.
The TCS loop is the last and most sensitive stage. It brings coolant directly to the racks. CDUs and cold plates for direct to chip or rear door cooling. With PURAD PP pure and PVDF high purity piping, AGRU leverages experience from semiconductor and pharma applications. The result is clean, metal free cooling circuits that protect high value IT hardware from contamination. Where necessary, double containment systems such as Poly-Flo add extra safety around cold plates and manifolds in critical areas.
By sourcing CWS, FWS and TCS from one plastics expert, planners and operators benefit from consistent design principles, harmonized components and a single point of contact. Interfaces between segments are simplified. spare parts management becomes easier and responsibilities are clearly defined throughout the lifecycle of the facility.
AGRULINE PE 100-RC for CWS mains and large diameter lines
AGRUCHEM PE and PP for FWS inside the facility
PURAD PP-Pure and PVDF plus double containment for TCS
One coordinated supplier for design, logistics and support
Benefit 2: Maximum safety & reliability
Maximum safety and reliability for 24/7 operation
Liquid cooled data centers must run around the clock. Any leak, blockage or corrosion issue in the cooling backbone can quickly turn into lost capacity and contractual penalties. AGRU plastics piping is engineered to keep that risk under control with robust materials, proven welding technologies and smart system design.
AGRU thermoplastics are inherently corrosion free and highly chemical resistant. This removes typical failure modes of metallic systems such as pitting, scaling and rust formation, especially in chemically treated water or aggressive environments. The smooth inner surfaces also reduce deposits and the risk of under deposit corrosion, which helps to keep flow conditions stable over the entire lifetime.
All piping components are part of a coordinated system. Pipes, fittings, valves and special parts are manufactured to international standards and installed using qualified welding procedures. Modern welding techniques offer reproducible, monitored joints with full traceability where needed. In addition, AGRU supports designers and installers with stress analysis, expansion concepts and fixing systems specifically tailored to plastics, so that mechanical loads remain within safe limits.
Where media present higher risks, such as glycol mixtures, inhibitors or chemicals near IT equipment, AGRU double containment systems add another layer of protection. The inner carrier pipe is surrounded by a leak tight outer pipe, with options for leak detection and monitored sections. For underground fire protection ring mains, FM approved PE systems integrate safely into the overall cooling and safety concept. The result is a cooling infrastructure designed for maximum uptime, even under demanding operating conditions.
- Corrosion free, chemically resistant plastics piping
- Certified welding procedures and qualified welders for reproducible joints
- Double containment options with leak detection for critical areas
- FM approved systems for fire protection ring mains
Benefit 3: High purity and cleanness
High purity cooling for clean and stable operation
As power densities and cooling demands increase, the purity of the coolant becomes a critical factor. Particles, ions and microbial growth can impair heat transfer, clog fine structures in cold plates and increase the risk of corrosion or deposits in the system. AGRU high purity plastics solutions are designed to keep these risks to a minimum and are based on decades of experience in ultra pure water systems for semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries.
Traditional cooling circuits often use carbon steel, stainless steel or copper piping in combination with chemically treated water. While this can work, metals interact with the coolant over time. Corrosion products, ions and particles are released into the water. Together with biofilms and deposits, this leads to higher pressure losses, reduced heat transfer and more frequent cleaning interventions. Monitoring effort and chemical dosing increase to keep the system under control.
AGRU high purity plastics such as PP-Pure, PVDF, ECTFE and other engineered thermoplastics are chemically inert towards water and typical coolant mixtures. Their manufacturing and cleaning processes are optimized to minimize ion leach out and particle release. The result is a very clean internal surface that does not support microbial growth as readily as many metal surfaces. This significantly reduces the formation of biofilms and deposits in the cooling circuit.
For operators, this translates into practical advantages. Pre commissioning becomes simpler and faster. because extended passivation and strong chemical cleaning cycles are not required to stabilize the system. During operation, filters stay clean longer. dosing of inhibitors and biocides can be reduced and the risk of fouling in fine structures like cold plates and manifolds drops. Cooling performance remains stable over the long term with less downtime for cleaning and flushing.
In high value environments such as AI clusters, HPC systems or combined data center and semiconductor facilities, these purity advantages directly protect the core business. Failures caused by contamination or blocked cooling structures are reduced and the cooling system becomes more predictable and easier to manage.
- Ultra low ion and particle release from high purity plastics
- Reduced microbial growth and biofilm formation in cooling loops
- Shorter pre commissioning with less aggressive chemicals
- More stable cooling performance and fewer cleaning interventions over the lifecycle
Benefit 4: Sustainability and efficiency
Sustainable, energy efficient cooling infrastructure
Modern data centers are under pressure to improve PUE, reduce water consumption and meet ambitious CO₂ targets. The choice of piping material for the cooling loops has a direct impact on these KPIs. AGRU plastics solutions combine hydraulic efficiency, thermal performance and recyclability to support your sustainability strategy.
The very smooth inner surfaces of AGRU thermoplastic pipes reduce friction losses in long header lines. Lower pressure drop means pumps can be designed smaller or run at lower speeds, which directly cuts electrical energy demand. This effect remains stable over time, because there is no corrosion layer building up inside the pipe. Together with optimized fittings and flow friendly designs, the system supports highly efficient operation of CWS, FWS and TCS loops.
Thermal properties are another important lever. Plastics have lower thermal conductivity than steel or copper. This improves insulation performance and helps to control condensation on cold lines. In practice, this means less additional insulation material is needed and low coolant temperatures can be used more safely. The result is more efficient heat transfer at the IT side, with less energy losses in the distribution network.
AGRU thermoplastics are also fully recyclable at the end of their service life. The long lifetime without corrosion related replacement, reduced need for chemical conditioning and cleaning, and lower pumping energy all contribute to a better environmental footprint. For operators and developers who need to document ESG performance, the cooling backbone becomes a visible contributor to sustainable design instead of a hidden burden.
- Low friction surfaces reduce pumping power and energy use
- Better inherent insulation helps control condensation and heat loss
- Long service life without corrosion related replacements
- Fully recyclable materials that support circular economy concepts
Benefit 5: Project support, fast installation and TCO
Project support, fast installation and attractive TCO
Choosing the right piping material is only part of the story. Delivering a complex data center on time and keeping operating costs under control requires a partner who supports you from the first concept to commissioning. AGRU combines its plastics portfolio with engineering services, prefabrication and installation know how to improve both schedule and total cost of ownership.
In the early project phases, AGRU experts help designers and consultants with material selection, layout concepts for CWS, FWS and TCS, as well as thermal expansion, fixing and stress analysis. BIM and CAD data are available to integrate pipes, fittings and manifolds directly into the 3D model. This reduces clashes on site and allows more precise prefabrication.
During execution, the advantages of lightweight plastics and fast welding processes become visible. Pipes are easy to handle without heavy lifting equipment in many situations, and modern welding machines enable rapid, reproducible joints. Where schedules are tight, AGRU offers off site prefabrication of manifolds, headers and skids. These assemblies arrive on site ready to install, which shortens installation time and reduces the number of trades in critical areas.
In operation, the corrosion free nature of the system reduces maintenance work, inspection frequency and unplanned interventions. There is no need for internal recoating, corrosion monitoring probes or complex passivation cycles. Combined with lower pumping energy and fewer water treatment chemicals, this translates into a competitive total cost of ownership over the full lifecycle of the data center.
- Engineering support, BIM data and stress analysis from day one
- Lightweight components and fast welding for rapid installation
- Offsite prefabricated skids and manifolds to compress schedules
- Lower maintenance effort and energy use for a better TCO