● Samsung, Europe HVAC King Flakt Unite, Gwangju Mega Plant, AI Data Center Cooling Grab
[Breaking News] Samsung Electronics Joins Hands with Europe’s No. 1 HVAC Firm ‘Fläkt’! The ‘Future Factory’ in Gwangju and the Big Picture of AI Cooling
The news to be delivered today is not merely about corporate cooperation.
It is about Samsung Electronics partnering with ‘Fläkt Group’, a European HVAC company with a 100-year tradition, to establish an Asian strategic base in Gwangju, South Korea.
In this article, beyond the simple fact of constructing a factory, I will point out the **core points** of why Samsung is going all-in on ‘cooling technology’ right now,
and how this connects to profitable opportunities in the **AI data center** era.
In particular, I have summarized the ripple effect that ‘Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU)’ technology—which is rarely covered in the news—will bring, so please pay attention until the end.
1. Samsung Electronics x Fläkt Group: The Asian Strategic Hub Being Built in Gwangju
Samsung Electronics has officially declared cooperation with ‘Fläkt Group’, the absolute powerhouse of the European HVAC market.
The most noticeable point is the location of the production base.
Fläkt Group CEO David Dorney revealed that they will build a new production line in Gwangju, Korea, by 2026.
The plan is not just to build a production facility, but to make this factory a strategic hub to target the Asian market.
CEO Dorney expressed confidence that this Gwangju factory would become “the global standard for future factories.”
The fact that a European company chose Korea as an outpost for Asia means they view the synergy with Samsung as highly important.
2. The Key Takeaway of Technical Collaboration: AI-based Smart Buildings and Energy Solutions
The reason the two companies united is clear.
It is for the perfect combination of hardware and software.
The goal is to overlay Samsung Electronics’ AI capabilities and SmartThings platform onto Fläkt Group’s strength, HVAC hardware technology.
Through this, they aim to build a further evolved **smart building** energy management system (B.IoT).
Results are already emerging.
They have proven their synergy by supplying Fläkt’s air solutions and Samsung’s modular chillers together to customers in the aerospace industry.
This will serve as an opportunity to dramatically expand influence in the B2B market beyond simple home appliance sales.
3. [Deep Dive] The Real Core Point Not Mentioned in News: AI Data Centers and the Cooling Tech War
Now, here is the really important content I analyzed.
Why did Samsung Electronics join hands with the 100-year-old company Fläkt?
It is not simply to sell air conditioners effectively.
It is to preemptively address ‘thermal management’, the core challenge of the explosively growing **AI data center** market.
As AI semiconductors become high-performance, they generate tremendous heat, and the **cooling technology** to cool this down is the hidden key to the 4th Industrial Revolution.
You must pay attention to the ‘Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU)’ technology mentioned as the top priority of this cooperation.
The CDU is a part akin to the heart of a liquid cooling system and is an essential element for data center efficiency.
Ultimately, through this cooperation, Samsung is drawing a big picture to dominate the entire infrastructure value chain from semiconductors to cooling solutions.
4. Global Expansion Strategy and Internalization of ESG Management
This cooperation does not stop in Korea.
Both companies are expanding their **global supply chain** by conducting new production facilities and field service investments in the Indian and US markets as well.
Fläkt Group sees the HVAC market growing continuously, centered on smart technology, until 2035.
Accordingly, they announced that they would expand the application of environmental product declarations to 95% of products by 2026 and internalize circular economy principles.
This exactly matches the **ESG management** trend, which is an essential survival strategy for global companies.
It is interpreted as a strategic move by Samsung Electronics to secure eco-friendly technology leadership through its partner.
< Summary >
- Establishment of Gwangju Factory: Samsung Electronics and Fläkt Group will build an Asian strategic hub factory in Gwangju, Korea, aiming for completion in 2026.
- Technology Convergence: They will develop next-generation smart building solutions by combining Fläkt’s HVAC technology with Samsung’s AI and SmartThings platform.
- The Core Point is Cooling Technology: The essence of this cooperation lies in securing CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) technology, the heart of AI data centers, and expanding R&D.
- Global and ESG: They plan to expand markets to India and the US, and lead global eco-friendly standards by applying circular economy principles.
[Related Posts…]
Samsung’s Future Revenue Source, Everything About Data Center Cooling Technology
Why Global Companies Are Paying Attention to Gwangju, Korea
*Source: 서울경제TV
