The surge in demand for high-performance data centers globally has brought to light a critical infrastructure vulnerability: concrete degradation. Kryton International warns that the uptime and longevity of data centers are at risk without the adoption of ultra-durable, waterproof concrete. With the average cost of a data center outage exceeding $9,000 per minute, according to Forbes, the stakes are high. Minor infrastructure failures, like hairline cracks leading to water ingress, can escalate quickly, damaging servers and power infrastructure, and even causing structural collapses.
Kari Yuers, President & CEO of Kryton International, points out that concrete is often underestimated in its dynamic vulnerability within data centers. Traditional concrete's susceptibility to microcracking, water penetration, and abrasion poses significant risks, especially with the increasing use of robotics and automation in facilities. These technologies subject concrete to additional stress, from abrasion due to wheeled traffic to the massive volumes of water used in cooling systems, which can lead to seepage and structural degradation.
Kryton's solutions, such as the Krystol Internal Membrane™ (KIM®) and Hard-Cem® admixtures, offer a way forward by making concrete self-sealing, waterproof, and resistant to abrasion. These innovations are particularly relevant as data centers expand into regions with high water tables, seismic activity, or extreme temperature swings, all of which exacerbate the risk of concrete deterioration. The integration of such advanced concrete solutions at the construction phase can prevent costly shutdowns and ensure long-term operational resilience, safeguarding against moisture damage, structural wear, and energy inefficiencies.
The call for higher concrete standards comes at a time when data centers are evolving to support the processing demands of AI systems and the efficiency driven by robotics. Kryton International's advocacy for durable concrete underscores the need for the industry to prioritize infrastructure that can withstand not just the test of time but also the operational demands of modern data centers, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and sustainability in the face of growing challenges.
