LG Electronics’ new R&D hub will be located at Changwon National University in South Gyeongsang Province. The company said it will invest 50 billion won (approximately $35.9 million) into this R&D hub. This centre will concentrate on future HVAC and liquid cooling solutions for AI data centres. This includes chillers, heat pumps, compressors, and cooling distribution units (CDUs). The facility will have the capability to simultaneously perform both extreme high- and low-temperature tests. This is a first of its kind among the domestic research labs in the country. With 13,000 sqm of construction, the work is scheduled for delivery in mid-2027.
LG Enhances AI Thermal Management Solutions
The investment is part of LG’s expansion in the burgeoning AI infrastructure market, which is dependent on thermal management. This facility is highlighted by LG’s executive team as the best choice in enabling energy-efficient as well as long-lasting cooling for data centres. These data centres are home to powerful GPUs and AI servers. As the centre has access to state-of-the-art testing labs and the backing of the LG HVAC Academy, this centre will speed up R&D in terms of green refrigerants and high-performance cooling devices.
LG’s Global AI Cooling Strategy
LG has already showcased its AI cooling prowess around the globe. The company has recently signed contracts to provide thermal infrastructure to hyperscale AI data centres in Jakarta. This was done through its joint venture business LG Sinarmas Technology Solutions. Added to this are global R&D investments that reinforce domestic R&D, comprising an end-to-end ecosystem under the “One LG” business strategy. This system will be reinforced with the Changwon hub, providing for faster innovation cycles that meet the needs of real-world AI deployment.
Why This Matters
As GPUs and AI servers create more heat, data centres need cooling that is ultra-reliable and energy efficient. LG’s new R&D hub, focused on AI, places it at the centre of this revolution. As global demand for AI infrastructure increases strongly, LG forecasts that its data centre cooling orders will soar 3 fold by 2025. It predicts hitting over $720 million in annual sales within two years. The Changwon R&D centre will make a significant contribution to enhancing innovation related to thermal control, digital simulations and AI-based control systems.
The move also reflects worldwide environmental trends. LG is working on how to be viable in extreme climate zones. As well as at the same time comply with more stringent regulations in major markets. Another part is public-private co-operation. The site’s location in a major university raises LG’s commitment to training engineers and working with academia.
To Conclude
LG’s choice of spending $35.9 million on an integrated AI data centre HVAC R&D hub is a smart strategic move. With today’s increasing worldwide AI workloads, an efficient thermal solution is becoming an essential factor. With the Changwon complex, LG isn’t just responding — they’re defining the future of AI infrastructure cooling, pairing innovation with sustainability and real-world impact.
By connecting this R&D hub with deployments around the world, LG is establishing itself as a leader in AI-enabled cooling technologies – an area that will characterise the next decade of data centre development.
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