Samsung Invests 240 Billion KRW in Gwangju HVAC Line for AI Data Center Cooling
Samsung Electronics has announced a 240 billion KRW investment to build a new 21,800-square-meter HVAC production line at its Gwangju plant in South Korea. Scheduled for completion in 2028, this facility will manufacture cooling products like CDUs and CRAHs specifically designed for AI data centers. As AI workloads surge, data centers require advanced cooling technologies to manage the massive heat generated by high-performance hardware. This investment marks Samsung's first major expansion at the Gwangju site since 1989, highlighting its strategic pivot to capture the rapidly growing AI infrastructure market. The new production line will manufacture core products for Samsung's subsidiary FläktGroup, including Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs), Fan Wall Units (FWUs), and Computer Room Air Handlers (CRAHs) for data centers, alongside Air Handling Units (AHUs) for large buildings.
## BACKGROUND
AI data centers generate significantly more heat than traditional facilities due to high-density computing hardware. To prevent overheating, they rely on specialized cooling infrastructure: Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) manage liquid cooling systems by regulating temperature and flow, while Computer Room Air Handlers (CRAHs) use chilled water to maintain optimal air temperature and humidity.