Summary of Liquid Cooling Industry Report Industry Overview - The liquid cooling industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for data centers and the limitations of traditional air cooling systems. The global liquid cooling market is expected to exceed 150 billion RMB in 2026, representing a tenfold increase from 2025's 15 billion RMB [1][4]. Key Points Market Growth and Projections - The liquid cooling market is projected to reach over 150 billion RMB by 2026, with a domestic market penetration rate expected to reach 30%-40% between 2027 and 2029 [1][4]. - The industry is currently in an explosive growth phase, with the application of liquid cooling technology in data centers anticipated to accelerate significantly by 2025 [2][4]. Technology and Types - Liquid cooling technology is categorized into three main types: spray cooling, cold plate cooling, and immersion cooling, with cold plate cooling currently being the dominant method [1][5]. - The NVIDIA MBR72 cabinet serves as a benchmark, with a total cabinet value of approximately 800,000 RMB, including components such as the cold plate (250,000 RMB) and CDU (300,000 RMB) [1][5]. Competitive Landscape - In the CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) sector, domestic companies like NVIDIA, China Sunway, and Silver Wheel dominate, while international competitors include Vertiv, Gucci, and Schneider [1][6]. - Domestic brands are expected to enter overseas markets quickly due to the high barriers in business relationships and consistency control required for components like cold plates and quick connectors [6]. Key Components and Suppliers - Cold plates are critical components in liquid cooling systems, directly attached to the back of chips, with leakage being a key concern for manufacturers and end-users [1][8]. - Major suppliers for quick connectors include both international (CBC, Pico) and domestic companies (Invec, Chuanhuan, Suliang) [3][9]. - The manifold component is simpler and has a higher presence of domestic companies, including Zhongguangdian, Shenling, Invec, and Silver Wheel [10]. Development Trends - The liquid cooling technology has gained attention since 2023, with companies like Feilong Co. having a first-mover advantage in the automotive thermal management sector, supplying Huawei and covering the NVIDIA supply chain [1][11]. - Companies like Silver Wheel and Topu are noted for their integrated capabilities across multiple liquid cooling components and their entry into the NVIDIA supply chain through Taiwanese manufacturers [11]. Additional Insights - The increasing power consumption of chips and the need for effective temperature control are driving the adoption of liquid cooling solutions, as chip lifespan can decrease by 50% with every 10-degree increase in operating temperature [2]. - The precision requirements for quick connectors in servers are stringent, with leakage limits set at no more than 0.25 drops over five consecutive insertions [3][9].

Core Viewpoint - NVIDIA is set to launch its AI server, the DGX GB300 NVL72, designed specifically for the AI inference era, featuring high chip computing power and a fully liquid-cooled rack design to meet the increased thermal design power (TDP) requirements [1] Group 1: Liquid Cooling Technology Development - Traditional air cooling solutions are inadequate for AI clusters with cabinet power densities exceeding 20 kW, leading to the adoption of fully liquid-cooled architectures by NVIDIA's OEM/ODM manufacturers [2] - Various liquid cooling solutions exist, including cold plate, immersion, and spray cooling, with cold plate technology being the most mature but having lower cooling efficiency compared to immersion and spray cooling [2] Group 2: Cold Plate Liquid Cooling Components - Cold plate liquid cooling is a mainstream solution for large-scale data center retrofitting, involving components such as the cooling distribution unit (CDU), cold plates, circulation pipelines, quick connectors, and manifolds [3] - The CDU acts as the "heart" of the system, relying on the performance of circulation pumps and heat exchangers [3] - Cold plates capture heat from high-heat components like GPUs, with performance metrics including pressure drop and thermal resistance being critical [3] Group 3: Immersion Liquid Cooling Components - Immersion cooling involves submerging electronic components in an insulating cooling liquid, utilizing the liquid's high heat capacity for efficient heat transfer [5] - Compared to cold plate systems, immersion cooling has a simpler secondary structure and requires careful selection of cooling liquid materials to prevent evaporation and ensure compatibility with data center equipment [6] Group 4: Spray Liquid Cooling Components - Spray cooling utilizes gravity or system pressure to directly spray cooling liquid onto high-heat components, achieving efficient heat capture [7] - Unlike cold plate systems, spray cooling operates without phase change and requires high-boiling, insulating, and oxidation-resistant cooling fluids [8] Group 5: Upstream Directions Worth Noting - Electronic fluorinated liquids are essential for immersion and spray cooling due to their high insulation and stability properties [9] - High-efficiency thermal interface materials (TIM) such as liquid metals are predicted to become mainstream, enhancing cooling performance for high-power CPUs while being compatible with both immersion and cold plate cooling systems [9] Group 6: Relevant Investment Targets in Liquid Cooling - Key players in the liquid cooling supply chain include companies like Invec (002837.SZ), Shenling Environment (301018.SZ), and others [10] - Component suppliers with low domestic production rates, such as Kexin New Source (300731.SZ) and Chuanhuan Technology (300547.SZ), are also noteworthy [10] - Upstream material suppliers like Juhua Co. (600160.SH) and Xinjubang (300037.SZ) are significant in the liquid cooling market [10]

Core Insights - The liquid cooling market is emerging as a significant segment in the AI industry, projected to reach a scale of approximately 130 billion yuan by 2029, growing over seven times in five years [2][10][11] Market Growth - According to the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, the liquid cooling market for intelligent computing centers in China is expected to grow from 18.4 billion yuan in 2024 to about 130 billion yuan by 2029, marking a growth of over 66.1% from 2023 [2][10] - The liquid cooling concept index has been on the rise, with a 31.35% increase observed from August 1 to August 26, 2025 [3] Technological Drivers - The rapid increase in AI computing power demands has led to a significant rise in chip power consumption, surpassing the cooling limits of traditional air cooling systems, making liquid cooling a necessary option [2][12] - The cooling requirements for high-power chips have increased dramatically, with CPU power consumption rising from around 150W to 450W-500W, and AI chips like NVIDIA's increasing from 450W to as high as 2200W [12][13] Market Trends - Cold plate liquid cooling is expected to become the mainstream solution, with a projected penetration rate of 30%-40% by 2030, primarily due to its maturity and minimal disruption to existing server ecosystems [12][16] - The current liquid cooling penetration rate is about 10%, with expectations for rapid growth in the coming years [16] Industry Developments - The global liquid cooling market is seeing increased interest from foreign leaders, while Chinese companies are also expanding into overseas markets [18][19] - Companies like Inspur have begun establishing overseas subsidiaries to tap into international markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East [20]

Core Insights - The liquid cooling market for intelligent computing centers in China is projected to grow from 18.4 billion yuan in 2024 to approximately 130 billion yuan by 2029, representing an increase of over 7 times in five years [1][8][9]. Market Growth - The rapid growth of the liquid cooling market is driven by the explosive demand for AI computing power, which has significantly increased chip power consumption, surpassing the limits of traditional air cooling [1][9]. - The liquid cooling market is expected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.2% for intelligent computing and 18.8% for general computing from 2023 to 2028 [5]. Technology Adoption - Cold plate liquid cooling is anticipated to become the mainstream solution, with a projected penetration rate of at least 30% to 40% by 2030 [1][14]. - The current liquid cooling penetration rate is about 10%, with expectations for rapid growth in the coming years [14]. Industry Dynamics - The demand for liquid cooling solutions is driven by the significant increase in server chip power consumption, which has tripled to quintupled in the past five years [9][10]. - Major companies in the industry, such as Shuguang and foreign leaders like Viavi Technologies, are expanding their market presence both domestically and internationally [15]. Challenges and Opportunities - The transition from air cooling to liquid cooling faces challenges, including longer construction and server development cycles, as well as concerns about the reliability of new technologies [14]. - As industry standards for liquid cooling become more established, the ecosystem is expected to mature, facilitating broader adoption and commercial use [14].

Core Viewpoint - The liquid cooling market for intelligent computing centers in China is expected to grow significantly, reaching approximately 130 billion yuan by 2029, driven by the explosive demand for AI computing power and the limitations of traditional air cooling methods [2][8][10]. Market Growth - The liquid cooling market size in China is projected to be 184 billion yuan in 2024, representing a 66.1% increase from 2023, and is expected to grow over 7 times in the next five years [8][9]. - The penetration rate of liquid cooling technology is anticipated to reach at least 30% to 40% by 2030, with cold plate liquid cooling expected to dominate the market [10][12]. AI Computing Power Demand - The rapid increase in AI computing power has led to a significant rise in chip power consumption, with some chips exceeding 2700W, surpassing the cooling limits of air cooling [10][11]. - The average power consumption of CPUs has tripled over the past five years, with AI chips like NVIDIA's increasing from 450W to as high as 2200W [10][11]. Liquid Cooling Technology - The main types of liquid cooling solutions include cold plate liquid cooling, immersion liquid cooling, and spray cooling, with cold plate liquid cooling being the most mature and widely adopted [12]. - Currently, about 10% of newly produced servers utilize liquid cooling solutions, indicating a growing trend towards this technology [12]. Industry Challenges and Developments - The transition from air cooling to liquid cooling faces challenges such as longer construction and server development cycles, which may deter companies from adopting new technologies [13]. - The establishment of standardized protocols for liquid cooling technology is expected to facilitate its widespread adoption and improve operational reliability [13]. Global Market Dynamics - Global leaders in liquid cooling are intensifying efforts to enter the Chinese market, while Chinese companies are also exploring opportunities abroad [15][16]. - Companies like Inspur are expanding their overseas presence, with projects already delivered in Southeast Asia [16].

Investment Rating - The report rates the industry as "Positive" for investment, indicating an optimistic outlook for the sector over the next 12 months [6]. Core Insights - The liquid cooling technology is positioned as a crucial solution for data centers to address heat dissipation challenges, especially with the increasing power consumption driven by AI applications [14][20]. - The report highlights the significant advantages of liquid cooling over traditional air cooling, including higher cooling efficiency, lower energy consumption, and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) [13][26]. - The domestic liquid cooling market is projected to reach approximately 4-5 billion yuan by 2025 and 7-8 billion yuan by 2026, driven by the increasing adoption of high-power servers [43]. Summary by Sections Cooling Technology Overview - Data centers require efficient cooling systems due to their high heat generation, with liquid cooling being a key upgrade from traditional air cooling methods [8][13]. - Liquid cooling methods include cold plate, spray, and immersion cooling, with immersion cooling further divided into single-phase and two-phase types [9][13]. Drivers of Liquid Cooling Adoption - **Driver 1: AI Power Consumption** The power consumption of CPUs and GPUs is rapidly increasing, pushing the limits of air cooling solutions [14][19]. - **Driver 2: Policy Control on PUE** The report emphasizes the need for more efficient cooling solutions to meet stringent PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) targets set by regulations, with liquid cooling achieving lower PUE values compared to air cooling [20][25]. - **Driver 3: Lower Lifecycle Costs** Liquid cooling systems demonstrate lower TCO compared to air cooling, particularly in terms of capital and operational expenditures [26][29]. Market Size and Growth - The report estimates that the domestic liquid cooling market will grow significantly, with projections of 40-50 billion yuan in 2025 and 70-80 billion yuan in 2026 [43][45]. - The market for liquid cooling components, such as CDU and manifolds, is expected to see substantial growth, with specific segments projected to grow by over 200% year-on-year by 2026 [49]. Investment Opportunities - The report identifies key investment opportunities within the liquid cooling supply chain, including liquid cooling plates, CDU, and manifold products, with a focus on domestic manufacturers [54][57]. - The trend towards domestic substitution in the liquid cooling market is highlighted, particularly for components currently dominated by foreign suppliers [58][61]. Key Players and Competitive Landscape - Major players in the liquid cooling market include companies like Invec, Feirongda, and Zhonghang Optoelectronics, which are positioned to benefit from the growing demand for liquid cooling solutions [78][84]. - The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of established players and emerging domestic manufacturers, with a focus on innovation and cost reduction in liquid cooling technologies [79][82].

Core Viewpoint - The demand for liquid cooling solutions, particularly cold plate cooling, is increasing due to the growing GPU solutions from overseas manufacturers, indicating a rising market potential in this sector [1] Industry Trends - The innovation in the industry has arrived earlier than expected, driven by the advantages of high integration, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness [1] Investment Focus - It is recommended to pay close attention to manufacturers with mature cold plate liquid cooling technology, as well as key players involved in immersion cooling and spray cooling solutions [1]

Core Insights - The demand for liquid cooling solutions, particularly cold plate systems, is increasing due to the growing GPU solutions from overseas manufacturers [1] - The industry is experiencing an early innovation trend, emphasizing high integration, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness [1] - Companies with mature cold plate liquid cooling technology and those focusing on immersion and spray liquid cooling are recommended for attention [1]