Motivair by Schneider Electric, a leader in liquid cooling technology for digital infrastructure, unveiled two new Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) designed to tackle the growing thermal demands of AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. The MCDU-45 and MCDU-55 are the company’s first purpose-built CDUs optimized for installation in utility corridors, offering greater flexibility, performance, and integration for modern data centers.
The units are now available globally, with production scaling up in early 2026. They expand Schneider Electric’s end-to-end liquid cooling portfolio, complementing floor-mounted and in-rack CDUs to serve hyperscale, AI, colocation, edge, and retrofit deployments.
Key Benefits for High-Density AI Deployments
As compute densities rise, data centers are increasingly installing CDUs outside traditional white spaces. The MCDU-45 and MCDU-55 address this shift with:
- Space Optimization & Flexibility: Operators can select the right CDU for specific deployment goals and corridor layouts.
- Energy Efficiency: Wider operating ranges allow heat rejection systems to improve PUE and reduce energy consumption.
- Simplified Maintenance: Flexible placement enhances service access without disrupting AI workloads or IT operations.
- Enhanced Chiller Integration: Advanced thermal management features, including precise flow control and adaptive load balancing, optimize plant performance.
“Flexibility is key in data center liquid cooling as customers demand a diverse portfolio of end-to-end solutions,” said Andrew Bradner, Senior VP of Cooling Business at Schneider Electric. “Our new CDUs allow customers to match deployment strategies to accelerated computing applications while leveraging decades of specialized cooling expertise.”
Built for the AI Era
These CDUs are the first products introduced since Schneider Electric acquired Motivair in February 2025. They are designed to handle the exponential growth of AI workloads, including HPC and AI Factory deployments, delivering scalable, efficient, and high-performance liquid cooling solutions.
“Motivair is a trusted partner for advanced liquid cooling, and our new technologies enable data center operators to navigate the AI era with confidence,” said Rich Whitmore, CEO of Motivair. “Together with Schneider Electric, we provide next-generation cooling solutions that adapt to any HPC, AI, or advanced data center deployment for seamless scalability and reliability.”
With AI workloads pushing infrastructure limits, the MCDU-45 and MCDU-55 offer operators the tools to maintain performance, reduce energy consumption, and ensure operational resilience across high-density deployments.
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