Johnson Controls Recognized as Leading Data Center Thermal Management Provider by ABI Research

Johnson Controls has been named a top thermal management provider for data centers in a recent assessment by ABI Research. The recognition highlights the company’s innovative solutions and consistent performance in delivering reliable and energy-efficient thermal management for mission-critical data center operations.

"Johnson Controls has consistently exceeded market expectations for thermal management across all industries and is a leading player in mission-critical infrastructure like data centers, where reliable, energy-efficient, and innovative building technologies are a game-changer," said Rithika Thomas, sustainable technologies senior analyst at ABI Research.

Johnson Controls’ thermal management offerings include a range of air-cooled and water-cooled chillers specifically designed for hyperscale and colocation data centers. Among its innovations is the YORK YVAM chiller, which reduces energy consumption by up to 40% in real-world conditions. The YVAM uses ultra-low GWP refrigerant 1234ze and Johnson Controls’ proprietary magnetic-bearing technology, originally developed for naval applications, ensuring reliable, efficient, and quiet operation at just 65 dBA - equivalent to background music in a restaurant. The chiller also features Quick Start technology, allowing it to return to full load within three minutes after a power outage.

"Being recognized by ABI Research is a true honor, and it reflects our ongoing commitment to providing innovative, scalable, and consistent solutions that are tailored to individual customers and meet the ever-evolving needs of the data center industry," said Todd Grabowski, President of Global Data Center Solutions at Johnson Controls. "Our integrated approach enables customers to achieve their uptime and speed-to-deployment requirements while also improving performance, lowering operational costs, and meeting decarbonization goals."

ABI Research highlighted Johnson Controls' comprehensive end-to-end solutions that span the full lifecycle of data center operations. These solutions include thermal management, building automation, fire protection, physical security, energy efficiency, and digitally connected services - all seamlessly integrated to optimize performance and sustainability.

In June 2024, Johnson Controls launched its Global Data Center Solutions organization to support the rapid growth of the data center industry. This initiative expanded production capacity in key regions, reducing lead times and enabling customized regional support for North America, EMEA, and APAC.

ABI Research’s Competitive Assessment examined the top nine thermal management solution providers for data centers, evaluating their hardware, software, and allied services. Johnson Controls’ global reach and ability to offer tailored solutions for diverse market needs were key factors in earning the top ranking.