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Ecolab nearing deal to acquire KKR's data-center cooling company for up to $5 billion, WSJ reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 19, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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Ecolab nearing deal to acquire KKR's data-center cooling company for up to $5 billion, WSJ reports
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March 19 (Reuters) - Ecolab is nearing a deal to acquire data-center cooling company CoolIT Systems from KKR for between $4.5 billion and $5 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday,

Ecolab close to buying KKR's data center cooling company for up to $5 billion, WSJ reports

Details of the Ecolab and KKR Deal

Deal Overview

March 19 (Reuters) - Ecolab is nearing a deal to acquire data center cooling company CoolIT Systems from KKR for between $4.5 billion and $5 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Potential Announcement Timeline

The deal could be announced as soon as next week, the report added.

Market Reaction

Shares of the water solutions company were down 2.4% at $255.49 in afternoon trading.

Comments from Involved Parties

Ecolab's Response

Ecolab did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while KKR declined to comment.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Sumit Saha in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)

Key Takeaways

  • Ecolab, already expanding its cooling portfolio for data centers, would supercharge its Cooling‑as‑a‑Service offering with CoolIT’s advanced liquid‑cooling tech. (investor.ecolab.com)
  • CoolIT, acquired by KKR in 2023 for a modest valuation, is now potentially being sold for over $4.5 billion—a roughly ten‑fold gain. (trustfinance.com)
  • The deal underscores surging demand for energy‑efficient, AI‑optimized cooling solutions in data centers amid booming infrastructure build‑out. (datacenterdynamics.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ecolab planning to acquire?
Ecolab is nearing a deal to acquire CoolIT Systems, a data-center cooling company owned by KKR.
What is the estimated value of the Ecolab-CoolIT Systems deal?
The deal is valued between $4.5 billion and $5 billion, according to the report.
Which company currently owns CoolIT Systems?
CoolIT Systems is currently owned by investment firm KKR.

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