Building the Backbone of the AI Era: Samsung C&T’s Data Center Business Team

Samsung C&T’s Data Center Business Team is taking on the challenge of building next-generation digital infrastructure
By managing the entire data center lifecycle, advancing core technologies like immersion cooling, and expanding into global markets, the team is strengthening Samsung C&T’s role as a leader in the era of AI

Members of Samsung C&T’s Data Center Business Team walk together outside the company headquarters, symbolizing collaboration and forward-looking growth. — Samsung C&T’s Data Center Business Team is driving innovation in next-generation digital infrastructure

AI is transforming industries worldwide, and at the center of this transformation are data centers. Once viewed as simple server facilities, they now embody advanced engineering, cooling, and uninterrupted operations. Recognizing this shift, Samsung C&T’s Data Center Business Team is shaping the future of digital infrastructure by leading projects that balance innovation, reliability, and growth.

A Team Built for the Full Journey

Unlike teams that focus on a single stage of construction, the Data Center Business Team is involved from beginning to end. From investment and business development to design, construction, and operations, the team integrates every aspect under one roof. With specialists in architecture, mechanical, electrical, and operations working side by side, they bring a convergence of expertise that creates synergy and new business opportunities.

“Our role is to oversee the entire process,” explained Jonghoon Kim, Head of the Data Center Business Team. “By combining diverse specialties, we ensure that every stage contributes to the success of the whole.”

A large group photo of Samsung C&T’s Data Center Business Team standing and sitting in front of the company sign outside headquarters. — The Data Center Business Team brings together diverse expertise to drive growth and innovation

Turning Challenges into Achievements

This integrated approach has already delivered tangible results. At one site, the team applied its self-developed grid piping system to rooftop cooling lines, reducing costs while increasing efficiency and reliability. Another large-scale project, initially considered infeasible, was restructured through design optimization and preconstruction services (PCS) to meet client requirements, demonstrating how accumulated expertise can unlock complex projects.

Innovation extends beyond project management. In 2024, the team developed S-DCIS, a platform that combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and 3D Unreal-based visualization to assess feasibility in real time. This system enables site suitability, scale design, and business feasibility to be reviewed seamlessly in one platform.

They are also pioneering immersion cooling, in collaboration with Korean firm DataBean. This next-generation solution immerses high-performance servers directly into a non-conductive liquid to dissipate heat, allowing reliable operation of AI-driven GPUs and other power-intensive equipment.

“With AI servers producing unprecedented levels of heat, traditional cooling is no longer enough,” noted Team Head Kim. “That is why we are investing in next-generation solutions today.”

Samsung C&T engineers observe immersion cooling equipment in operation, with bright blue light illuminating the cooling chamber. — Team members test immersion cooling technology, a next-generation solution for high-performance servers

A Samsung C&T engineer lifts a server unit into immersion cooling equipment inside a test facility. — Immersion cooling allows high-performance servers to be submerged in non-conductive liquid for efficient heat management

Expanding Horizons Globally

The team’s ambition is not limited to Korea. By analyzing data traffic growth and the strategies of global operators, they have identified promising opportunities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and other emerging markets. These regions, with high growth potential, are now the focus of Samsung C&T’s data center expansion.

“Business is like a relationship,” said Junho Park, CE of the team. “When built on trust and sincerity, partnerships last and lead to new opportunities. With Samsung C&T’s technology and premium services, clients return to us again and again.”

A Shared Vision for Global Leadership

At the core of the team’s journey is a clear goal: to become the global leader in AI data centers. Growth remains their guiding principle, whether through larger-scale projects, advanced technologies, or international expansion.

Most recently, the team secured the Ansan Global Cloud Center project, a ₩400 billion contract for a 40MW data center in partnership with IGIS Asset Management. By participating from the preconstruction stage, Samsung C&T applied its design expertise to optimize the project and support next-generation digital infrastructure.

Teamwork and a shared vision are what sustain the team through demanding schedules and overseas projects, and they believe that today’s efforts will lead to tomorrow’s successes.