Cooling technology is moving beyond its traditional boundaries
Heat exchangers are gaining new relevance as data centres demand greater heat removal, while manufacturers of established industrial cooling systems continue to invest in production capability. Developments reported during the first week of October 2026 reveal both sides of that shift.
On 7 October, Valeo announced validation milestones for an aluminium heat-exchanger design developed for data-centre thermal management. At the same time, industrial cooling manufacturer AKG is expanding controlled-atmosphere brazing capacity with new furnace installations planned in Brazil and China.
Valeo targets high-density computing with aluminium heat exchangers
Valeo says its technology can be used in rear-door cooling modules and fan-wall applications inside data centres. The company is preparing to present its validation work with OVHcloud at the Open Compute Project Global Summit, scheduled for 12–15 October 2026.
In the company's reported comparison against conventional copper solutions, the aluminium design delivered 38% greater cooling capacity, 65% greater power density and 25% lower fan electricity use. Those numbers are supplier-reported validation results; they should not be interpreted as guaranteed improvements for every cooling installation.
Corrosion resistance is a major engineering consideration whenever different materials, coolant conditions and long service lives interact. Valeo says its coating has passed accelerated testing equivalent to more than ten years of operating life, while additional validation toward a 15-year target continues.
The story is not simply an aluminium-versus-copper contest. It illustrates how core design, coatings, airflow resistance, packaging and service life can change the engineering case for a heat exchanger. Material choice still depends on each application's operating conditions and repair requirements.
AKG expands brazing capacity across Brazil and China
A separate manufacturing development underscores demand for advanced aluminium heat-exchanger production. According to industry reports published on 1–2 October, AKG has ordered two controlled-atmosphere brazing furnace lines from German furnace supplier SELLACAN.
The planned installations in Brazil and China will add to SELLACAN equipment already operating within AKG's international production network, including facilities in India, Mexico and Germany. Controlled-atmosphere brazing joins aluminium components in a carefully managed furnace environment and is widely used for repeatable, large-scale heat-exchanger production.
The significance extends across several sectors: automotive equipment, heavy machinery, energy systems and rail operations all need heat exchangers that balance performance, packaging, manufacturing repeatability and long-term durability.
These investments suggest continued industrial interest in scalable heat-exchanger manufacturing. They do not mean copper/brass radiators or repairable heavy-duty cooling systems are disappearing; different materials and manufacturing approaches remain suited to different duties.
What the week's news says about the global cooling market
The industry's direction is becoming more varied. High-density computing is creating new applications for high-efficiency liquid cooling, while conventional industrial customers still require dependable radiators, oil coolers, condensers and charge-air cooling systems. Manufacturers are refining material selection and expanding specialised production at the same time.
For radiator and thermal-system engineers, the central question remains constant: how to transfer heat reliably at the required operating temperature, pressure, airflow, footprint and lifetime cost. The October announcements offer different answers to that same engineering challenge.
Primary reporting & verificationThis article is independent editorial coverage based on dated, linked industry announcements. Company performance figures are attributed to the reporting companies. Analysis is identified separately.
Valeo official announcement — 7 October 2026 ↗
Heat Treat Today: Two CAB Furnaces Boost Aluminum Brazing — 2 October 2026 ↗
NARSA industry news — 1–5 October 2026 ↗
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