LFB Group launches modular data centre cooling for AI era

LFB Group has introduced a new Fan Wall Unit (FWU) as part of its ApX Series cooling infrastructure aimed at hyperscale and edge data centres.

The Fan Wall Unit is designed to address the growing challenges posed by increased artificial intelligence workloads, rising compute densities and global edge deployments by delivering scalable, energy-efficient cooling in a modular format.

The FWU offers a cooling capacity that ranges from 100kW up to 1000kW, utilising a space-efficient footprint suitable for various data centre environments. It includes high-efficiency electronically commutated (EC) fans and advanced coil technology to optimise airflow and maximise heat exchange.

The unit's modular architecture enables seamless capacity expansion, allowing precise temperature control in high-density computing scenarios. Customisable configurations mean that operators can adapt installations to specific layouts and requirements as their needs evolve over time.

LFB Group, which recently transitioned from Lennox EMEA, brings its experience from more than sixty years of mechanical engineering in commercial and residential cooling infrastructure to its data centre-focused products. The company's entry into this fast-growing sector occurs as the data centre cooling market is projected to surpass GBP £30 billion by 2032.

Unlike conventional cooling systems built on fixed, off-the-shelf designs, the FWU – ApX Series is engineered for flexibility to fit a wide range of data centre arrangements. The company collaborates directly with customers, aiming to deliver tailored solutions that address the demands of today's digital infrastructure.

Matt Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the Data Centre Solutions business at LFB Group, commented on the increasing importance of cooling technologies as data centres expand their workloads and densities:

"Cooling has always been one of the most pressing challenges facing data centre operators. But, with the rise in demand for data centres – as well as the rise in co-location data centres – we're entering a new era where flexibility is being required more than ever before."

Evans elaborated on the specific attributes of the new Fan Wall Unit:

"Our Fan Wall Unit is designed to deliver exactly that. It combines the performance figures, scalability and adaptability that today's environments require, without adding unnecessary complexity. The FWU – Apx Series showcases experience-led system design that integrates seamlessly into a variety of data centre footprints."

He outlined the company's approach to product development and ongoing customer support:

"Our focus has always been on listening to operators, understanding their real-world constraints, and helping them solve the challenges that slow their growth. We see this as a collaborative journey – one that doesn't end with installation, but continues as needs change, technology advances and workloads evolve. The introduction of this tailored Fan Wall Unit represents a meaningful step forward, and we're excited about the role it will play in shaping the next generation of digital infrastructure, as part of a broader pipeline of innovations that are on the horizon."

The FWU – ApX Series follows the company's earlier release of its computer room air handler (CRAH) ApX Series, which is targeted at large-scale data centres operating with high-temperature process water. These products are designed to support operators in minimising both operational costs and space requirements as risk factors escalate with the increase in computation volumes and the complexity of modern applications.

The continued relevance of air-cooling in light of rising chip and rack densities is a focus for the company's product development, highlighting the balance between traditional and advanced approaches to cooling as the sector evolves.