The rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud services, and digital connectivity is driving strong investment in data centres worldwide. As computing power increases, so does the amount of heat generated inside these facilities. Managing this heat efficiently is critical to ensuring reliability, energy efficiency and uninterrupted operations.
This is where aluminium and copper play an important role.
Aluminium contributes to efficient airflow management, structural strength and heat control inside data centres. Raised perforated aluminium floors help distribute cool air more effectively, improving overall cooling performance and reducing energy consumption. Aluminium panels used in server cabinets provide strength and stability, while also helping dissipate heat. In addition, aluminium acts as a barrier against electromagnetic interference (EMI), protecting sensitive electronic equipment.
It has taken just a few years for aluminium to transition from a supporting material to a vital component in data centre construction. Aluminium’s high thermal conductivity, non-magnetic nature are manufacturing versatility are very important unique for data centre infrastructure. Its unique combination of low weight, high thermal conductivity, and cost-efficiency makes it the material of choice for manufacturers looking for advanced metals to meet the demands of the fast-evolving digital era.
Yet, beyond its thermal and electrical properties, aluminium is critical for the structural and mechanical integrity of the data centre facilities. From a structural perspective, aluminium’s lightweight nature is a massive advantage. As manufacturers pack more hardware into every square foot, using aluminium for power distribution and support frames allows them to scale density without the prohibitive costs of reinforcing building foundations or floors.
More importantly, as global regulators demand transparency in carbon footprints, aluminium’s infinite recyclability has made it a cornerstone of sustainability strategies. In an industry where "Net Zero" is a non-negotiable goal, the ability to deploy 100% recyclable infrastructure is a major long-term asset for manufacturers.
Copper is essential both for the cooling systems and the electrical infrastructure that keep data centres operating safely and efficiently. Cooling can represent up to 50% of a data centre’s total energy use, making efficient heat transfer critical. Many modern data centres rely on water-cooled or liquid-cooling systems, where copper tubes are key components in heat exchangers and fluid circulation.
At the same time, copper plays a central role in power distribution, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply to critical IT equipment. Within ElvalHalcor’s Copper Segment, Halcor’s TALOS® product range— including TALOS® ACR, TALOS® FIN and TALOS® ACR Inner Grooved — are used in data centre cooling applications, supporting efficient HVAC and thermal management systems. In addition, Sofia Med, part of the copper segment of ElvalHalcor, is a European market leader in the supply of copper bus bars which are critical for use in busway systems and switchgear. Sofia Med also offersgrounding and power distribution components, which are essential for ensuring stable and efficient electricity supply in modern data centres, grid connection components used for stable incoming power supply, renewable energy integration for solar and backup power systems and tinned or silver-plated copper products -through its own in-house electroplating line- for improved conductivity and corrosion resistance.
Copper’s high electrical and thermal conductivity allows efficient energy transfer and heat dissipation, which is especially important in high-density server environments. Its durability and corrosion resistance ensure long system life, while its full recyclability supports sustainability goals.
Although data centre investment is currently strongest in the United States, Europe continues to expand capacity as digitalisation progresses. Over the long term, the growth of AI, cloud computing and digital services is expected to sustain rising demand for efficient cooling, reliable power infrastructure and high-performance materials.
For ElvalHalcor, this represents exposure to a structural growth market aligned with digital transformation, electrification, energy efficiency and sustainability. By supplying advanced aluminium solutions through Elval and copper solutions through Halcor and Sofia Med — ElvalHalcor is well positioned to support the evolving needs of modern data infrastructure and benefit from long-term global growth in data centre investment.