BASF launches propylene-glycol-based heat-transfer fluids for data-center liquid cooling
On 8 October, BASF presented GLYTHERMIN heat-transfer fluids for data-center liquid cooling, combining propylene glycol chemistry with corrosion protection. The company also announced NVIDIA DSX Ready Coolant qualification for DC PG25.
SHANGHAI BULK CHEMICAL Editorial Team4 min read
File photo: server racks at NERSC, 2011. Illustrates a computing facility; not a BASF installation or evidence of a liquid-cooling configuration.Photo: Derrick Coetzee · Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0 · Resized and converted to WebP; cropped by the page layout.
BASF’s product announcement of 8 October 2026 described liquid-cooling applications for its GLYTHERMIN DC and PG series. The DC PG25 qualification covers secondary-loop, single-phase cold-plate cooling.
Announcement: 8 October 2026 | Source: BASF company announcement
What the announcement and qualification cover
BASF states that GLYTHERMIN DC PG25 meets the applicable NVIDIA PG25 fluid requirements and has qualified as NVIDIA DSX Ready Coolant for secondary-loop, single-phase cold-plate cooling. The qualification concerns a specific grade and application; other grades, formulations or operating conditions require confirmation against technical requirements and written compatibility evidence.[1]
Feedstock and finished coolant are different products
The announcement describes cold plates as metallic heat exchangers mounted on processors or graphics processing units. Circulating coolant carries heat to a coolant distribution unit (CDU), which monitors and controls flow, temperature and pressure.[1]
This application requires formulated coolant that meets the system’s requirements. Ordinary propylene glycol feedstock and specified finished coolant are different deliverables; a feedstock certificate cannot replace evidence of the finished product’s equipment compatibility.
Heat transfer through the cooling system
01ChipGenerates heat
02Metal cold plateReceives heat
03Circulating coolantTransports heat
04CDUControls flow, temperature and pressure
Based on BASF · 8 October 2026 · Heat path only; not a complete circuit or installation drawing.
Align specifications and the supplied product before comparing prices
An enquiry should first distinguish feedstock, concentrate and ready-to-use fluid, then use official documents for the requested grade to check operating concentration, dilution-water requirements and material compatibility. Different concentrations and supply forms make prices per tonne unsuitable for direct comparison; parameters should not be inferred from the grade name.
A certificate of analysis (COA) records batch test results, while a safety data sheet (SDS) provides safety-handling information. Neither replaces equipment compatibility or qualification documents. Storage requirements, transport classification and carrier conditions need confirmation against the relevant product information.
Follow technical-document updates and actual supply terms
Follow grade-specific technical and qualification updates, and confirm supply regions, packaging and lead times with suppliers. The announcement gives no new capacity, sales volumes, prices or incremental propylene glycol purchases; actual supply terms require a separate enquiry.[1]
