Steel portfolio for data centers from a single source
thyssenkrupp Steel offers a full portfolio for modern data center infrastructures: from hot-rolled strip for steel construction and line pipes, to hot-dip galvanized steels for server racks, network cabinets, shelving, and cable trays; from organic coil-coated steels for façades, roofs, doors, and enclosures, to high-quality electrical steel for energy-efficient transformers and electric motors used in fans and HVAC systems.
Sustainability in data centers starts with material selection
Reduced-CO2 steel for data center infrastructure
Data centers are among the most energy-intensive infrastructures. That’s why material selection already plays a key role in determining the CO2 footprint.
With bluemint® Steel, thyssenkrupp Steel offers reduced-CO2 high-quality flat steel – whether hot-rolled strip, surface-finished steels, or electrical steel – without compromising on quality, processability, or performance.
- bluemint® recycled is available today and delivers immediate CO2 reduction through a recycled-content production route.
- bluemint® will be available in the future from our hydrogen-powered direct reduction plant in Duisburg.
- The same performance as conventional steel.
- Verified data foundation: Validated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) enable immediate credit recognition for LEED and BREEAM certifications.
This makes sustainability measurable from the outset and seamlessly integrated into AI infrastructure projects.
Hot-dip galvanized steels for robust data center infrastructure
Hot-dip galvanized steels from thyssenkrupp Steel provide reliable corrosion protection and outstanding durability, making them ideal for use in shelving systems, server cabinets, server racks, and cable trays in modern data centers. They combine mechanical strength with precise formability and processability, ensuring secure, robust, and cost-efficient IT environments. Available on request as CO2-reduced bluemint® Steel.
Steel solutions for server racks, enclosures, and cable management systems in data centers
A range of surface-treated steels is used to meet different requirements. Deep-drawing grades with conventional hot-dip galvanizing are particularly suitable for server cabinets and cable ducts. Hot-dip coated structural steels with higher strength levels are used for load-bearing components such as rack uprights, cross members, server racks, and cable support systems.
For applications with increased corrosion requirements, zinc-magnesium coated steels are also available. These provide significantly improved corrosion resistance – especially in outdoor applications such as substructures – while requiring a reduced coating thickness.
In the context of modern data center projects with integrated power generation, such as photovoltaics, thyssenkrupp Steel offers the ideal solution for effective corrosion protection with ZM Ecoprotect® Solar. These high-quality zinc-aluminum-magnesium coated steels enable robust, durable, and cost-efficient PV substructures – making them the perfect choice for future-ready and sustainable energy infrastructures.
Grain-oriented electrical steel (GO): a key material for efficient energy and charging infrastructure
Grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES), marketed under the powercore® brand, is a core material for energy-efficient transformers – ensuring a reliable and efficient power supply for data centers as well as high-performance charging infrastructure for electric mobility.
Thanks to its targeted magnetic alignment, this high-quality electrical steel enables exceptionally low remagnetization losses and maximum efficiency in energy transmission and distribution. As the core material in modern grid, distribution, and charging transformers, GOES plays a crucial role in minimizing energy losses and enhancing the performance of electrical networks. At the same time, it supports the integration of renewable energy sources and makes a significant contribution to decarbonization – through CO2-reduced variants such as bluemint® powercore®.
Non-grain-oriented electrical steel (NO) – for efficient electric motors in cooling and HVAC systems
Data centers are among the most energy-intensive infrastructures – making reliable and highly efficient cooling essential. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe supplies non-grain-oriented electrical steel, powercore® A in accordance with EN 10106, as the material for high-performance electric motors used in air conditioning and ventilation systems.
From M350-50A for robust standard applications to M270-35A for improved energy efficiency and up to M235-35A for high-end solutions, our materials reduce losses, increase efficiency, and sustainably help lower operating costs.
Organically coated steel pladur® for exterior facade applications of data centers
With our coil-coated material brand pladur®, we provide the ideal substrate for the efficient production of high-quality façade and roofing elements, as well as enclosures for HVAC and power infrastructure systems. The material can be tailored to meet specific requirements regarding corrosion protection, formability, UV resistance, long-term temperature stability, and both functional and aesthetic performance.
This opens up new possibilities for engineers, architects, planners, and project developers to design distinctive and durable façades for data centers and AI infrastructure facilities, combining technical performance with architectural freedom.
Coil coating for enclosures and casings in HVAC systems and battery storage systems
With organically coated steel pladur®, you choose a cost-effective and durable solution for HVAC enclosures and battery storage systems. Thanks to its pre-coated surface, complex painting processes are no longer required – saving time, costs, and resources. At the same time, you benefit from long-lasting corrosion protection and excellent processability.
Hot-rolled strip for structural engineering and line pipes in data center infrastructure
In the field of heavy steel construction, robust, hot-rolled structural steels from thyssenkrupp Steel are used, distinguished by high strength, good weldability, and reliable processability. They form the load-bearing structures and ensure the stability of buildings, halls, and technical installations.
In addition, our hot strip with specifically tailored material properties is used for the production of welded line pipes. These are used for the safe transport of various media such as gas, water, or cooling fluids, which are essential for the operation of modern liquid cooling systems in data centers. Key requirements here include high pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, and consistently uniform material quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much steel does a data center require?
A 100 MW-class facility requires nearly 1,000 metric tons of flat steel for approximately 10,000 server racks alone. In addition, there is substantial demand for steel used in enclosures and peripheral equipment.
What type of steel protects server racks in the white space?
Robust hot-dip galvanized sheet steel with an innovative zinc-aluminum-magnesium coating provides effective corrosion protection with a reduced coating thickness while maintaining maximum load-bearing capacity.
Why is GOES electrical steel critical for AI infrastructure?
GOES (Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel) is a key material for the power supply of modern AI infrastructure. High-performance powercore® GOES top grades minimize core and no-load losses in transformers, significantly improving their energy efficiency. As AI data centers require enormous amounts of electricity, GOES electrical steel plays a crucial role in ensuring safe, reliable, and low-loss power transmission and distribution.
How does NO electrical steel reduce operating expenses (OPEX)?
Our powercore® NO grades maximize the efficiency of electric motors used in HVAC and ventilation systems, helping to lower the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) value and reduce cooling costs during continuous operation.
