The rapid rise of digital technology has driven explosive growth in data centers, as the foundation of AI, cloud services, and other industries. As these facilities expand, effective thermal management has emerged as a key factor in improving performance and energy efficiency, especially since AI workloads are so resource intensive.

Traditionally, data centers have run on air-cooling systems due to their simplicity and scalability. But in many cases, air-cooling has started to reach its limitations, evidenced by cases of overheating and fires. Such incidents can cause significant losses, including costly downtime, data loss, and service disruptions. For the cooling market, this means demand is increasing for safer, more efficient, and more sustainable cooling solutions—primarily through liquid cooling.  

Amid this transformation, Kixx is making its mark with a comprehensive range of liquid cooling solutions. This second installment in the Next-Gen Lubes article series will spotlight these cutting-edge cooling fluids, detailing the critical role they play in operating digital infrastructure.  

What Is Liquid Cooling, and How Does It Work?  

The two main types of liquid cooling are immersion cooling and direct liquid cooling.

Like the name implies, liquid cooling removes the heat generated by computing systems using liquids, which are far better conductors of heat than air due to their molecular density. While several types of hybrid or transitional cooling systems are available, the two main types are immersion cooling (for systems) and direct liquid cooling (for chips).  

Immersion cooling submerges IT equipment, such as servers, into a specialized fluid that directly absorbs heat and is electrically non-conductive (dielectric) to prevent short circuits. These fluids, which are typically synthetic hydrocarbons or fluorocarbons, can absorb heat up to 1,000 times more faster than air, eliminating the need for fans and sometimes even air conditioning. This system requires a dedicated tank that can accommodate server modules, allowing the entire system to be immersed in the cooling fluid.

Direct liquid cooling channels liquid through metal plates that are mounted on the most heat-intensive components, generally CPUs or GPUs. The propylene glycol-based fluid then flows through a piping system to an external heat exchanger or water system, where the heat is efficiently dissipated.

Kixx’s Immersion Fluid S Lineup: Comprehensive Cooling Solutions for Large-Scale Systems  

Kixx’s Immersion Fluid S lineup expands the possibilities of immersion cooling.

To meet the growing market demand for immersion liquid cooling technologies, Kixx Immersion Fluid S was launched in 2023 as a dedicated immersion cooling fluid for data-center servers. The product is made primarily of polyol ester (POE), a type of synthetic ester-based oil that helps to maximize the performance and energy efficiency of cooling.   

Then, in 2024, the Kixx Immersion Fluid S lineup was expanded, with new fluids that can also be used in the EV battery and energy storage system (ESS) battery industries, among others. The four key variants are: 

• Kixx Immersion Fluid S 5: A versatile, NSF-certified biodegradable fluid offering excellent durability, energy efficiency, and material compatibility. 

• Kixx Immersion Fluid S 30: An NSF-certified product that offers improved thermal stability, with a flash point of 250°C. 

• Kixx Immersion Fluid S E: A biodegradable product that offers excellent energy efficiency, with a flash point of 250°C. 

• Kixx Immersion Fluid S BIO: This product uses bio-based materials that absorb carbon dioxide during the plant growth process, allowing the fluid to be carbon-negative. 

Kixx’s immersion cooling fluids have already been supplied to the facilities of leading companies, such as the demonstration room of LG U-PLUS’ Pyeongchon 2 hyperscale data center and the Samsung SDS data centers. On a wider level, the launch and expansion of these immersion cooling fluids have established Kixx as a leading brand in digital infrastructure cooling technology. 

Kixx DLC Fluid PG25: Precision Cooling for High-Performance Components 

Kixx’s DLC Fluid PG25 enables advanced cooling for powerful systems.

As demand also rises for optimal solutions when it comes to direct liquid cooling fluid, Kixx recently launched Kixx DLC Fluid PG25, a product developed with materials that minimize impact on humans and the environment.  

Kixx DLC Fluid PG25 is made using propylene glycol and organic acid additives with excellent corrosion protection, reducing impact on humans and the environment. It is highly effective at facilitating localized cooling on high-heat electronic components within servers like CPUs and GPUs, rather than entire systems.  

With the launch of PG25, Kixx has now entered both the immersion cooling and direct liquid cooling market segments, broadening its cooling portfolio and reinforcing its position as a total solutions provider in thermal management fluids.  

Kixx Delivers Efficient Cooling for a More Connected World  

As computing demands continue to soar, liquid cooling is predicted to transform from a method of heat control to a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure—as well as a means to ensure performance and environmental responsibility. Under its “Lubricating the Future” slogan, Kixx is leading this shift by developing next-generation cooling solutions that balance efficiency, durability, and energy savings. Additionally, by applying its deep expertise in fluids to the digital realm, the company is helping to enable a more connected and sustainable world. 

The journey will continue in the third installment of this series, where Kixx will shine a light on the benefits of its bio-based lubricant solutions, designed to minimize environmental impact. 

Catch up on the previous installment of the Next-Gen Lubes series with the link below.
Next-Gen Lubes #1: Kixx’s Next-Generation Lubricants Powering Tomorrow’s Industries