Quick answer
Coolants publicly reported as NVIDIA DSX Ready or NVIDIA-validated include BASF GLYTHERMIN DC PG25, Shell DLC Fluid S3, Dow DOWFROST LC, Ecolab's PG coolant, Castrol ON PG25/PG25T (validated), Arteco ZITREC EC 20, and PFX Group's Solutherm (named among partners). Most are PG25. Each claim below links to its source. Confirm current status with NVIDIA and the supplier.
Key takeaways
- Most qualified direct-to-chip fluids are PG25.
- Qualification wording differs: "DSX Ready", "validated", "qualified".
- Some suppliers' specific qualified products are not published.
- Hardware vendor approval still applies.
- Lists change, so check the sources.
Qualified and listed coolants
| Supplier | Product(s) | Base | Publicly reported qualification | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arteco | ZITREC EC line (launched 29 Apr 2025) | MPG / MEG / water-based OAT | Arteco states ZITREC EC 20 is NVIDIA-qualified | profile |
| BASF | GLYTHERMIN data-center platform (launched 8 Oct 2026) | Propylene glycol (PG25) | GLYTHERMIN DC PG25 qualified as an NVIDIA DSX Ready coolant (secondary-loop, single-phase cold-plate) | profile |
| Shell | Shell DLC Fluid S3 (PG25, meets OCP PG25 specification, freeze protection −10 °C, green fluorescent dye, free of 2-EHA, borate and silicate); single-phase immersion cooling fluids | PG25 (DLC); hydrocarbon-based (immersion) | Shell DLC Fluid S3 reported as NVIDIA DSX Ready (Oct 2026); immersion fluids Intel Data Center Certified for Immersion Cooling (4th/5th Gen Xeon) | profile |
| Castrol | Castrol ON PG25 (OAT) and PG25T (IAT), pre-diluted direct-to-chip fluids | Propylene glycol (PG25) | Castrol ON PG25 and PG25T announced as validated for NVIDIA AI infrastructure (18 Aug 2026) | profile |
| Valvoline Global (Beyond by Valvoline) | "Beyond by Valvoline" platform (launched 11 Jun 2026) | PG25 (DLC); dielectric (immersion) | NVIDIA qualification for a specific product: not published | profile |
| Dow | DOWFROST LC 25 | Propylene glycol (PG25) | Dow has publicly stated DOWFROST LC qualified as NVIDIA DSX Ready | profile |
| Ecolab | PG coolant (name not published) | Propylene glycol | Ecolab states its PG coolant is qualified NVIDIA DSX Ready | profile |
| Dynalene | Dynalene PG-D25, a PG25 direct-to-chip fluid listed on the OCP Marketplace | Propylene glycol (PG25) | Specific NVIDIA qualification: not published | profile |
| PFX Group (Solutherm) | SOLUTHERM OAT PG 25 | Propylene glycol (PG25, OAT) | Listed on the OCP Marketplace; named among NVIDIA DSX Ready coolant partners | profile |
| Chemours | Opteon 2P50, a developmental two-phase immersion dielectric fluid (HFO-based) | Dielectric (two-phase immersion) | Chemours reports qualification work with Samsung SSDs and 2CRSi servers | profile |
| Engineered Fluids | ElectroCool single-phase immersion dielectric coolants | Dielectric (single-phase immersion) | Not published | profile |
| Submer | SmartCoolant synthetic single-phase immersion fluid (alongside immersion systems) | Synthetic dielectric (single-phase immersion) | Not published | profile |
"Not published" means we couldn't find a public source. Rows reflect public statements as of October 2026.
What a qualification means
A qualification indicates that the fluid passed a program's tests (for example corrosion, thermal stability, material compatibility, purity). It doesn't guarantee compatibility with every cold plate or CDU. Check vendor approvals and maintenance limits. See CDU maintenance.
Compare them
Use the comparator tool to filter by base and qualification, or browse the supplier directory. Background: what is PG25?.
Qualification vs specification vs approval
| Term | Who issues it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Specification (e.g. OCP PG25 base spec) | Standards body or community | Baseline fluid requirements |
| Qualification (e.g. NVIDIA DSX Ready) | Platform vendor program | The fluid passed that program's tests |
| Hardware / CDU approval | Equipment vendor | The fluid is permitted for that equipment and its warranty |
| Supplier datasheet | Fluid maker | Properties and maintenance limits |
Castrol describes the review behind its NVIDIA validation as covering corrosion resistance, thermal stability, water quality, propylene glycol purity, wetted-material compatibility and supply-chain resilience. Other suppliers' published descriptions vary.
How to use this list in procurement
- Shortlist the fluids that appear here and on your hardware vendor's approved list.
- Request the current datasheet, SDS and maintenance limits.
- Ask which OCP document and version the fluid claims to meet.
- Compare sampling and service programs.
- Confirm regional supply, lead times and packaging.
- Record the fluid lot used in each loop.
Keeping this list current
Qualifications are announced through press releases and trade media and may change. We list only claims we can source, with the date in each supplier profile. If you see a missing or outdated entry, send a public source via our contact page.
How qualified fluids differ
| Dimension | Examples from the list |
|---|---|
| Inhibitor family | Organic acid (Castrol ON PG25), inorganic (Castrol PG25T), hybrid (BASF GLYTHERMIN DC PG25) |
| Additive exclusions | Free of 2-EHA, borate and silicate (Shell DLC Fluid S3); free of nitrites, borates and 2-EHA (Arteco ZITREC EC) |
| Dye | Green fluorescent (Shell), yellow (Dow), fluorescent (BASF) |
| Format | Ready-to-use PG25 (most listed products) |
These differences matter for leak detection, compatibility with specific wetted materials, and top-up rules. Each item is cited on the supplier's profile.
Comparing data-center fluids?
Open comparator →Questions this list can't answer
- Whether a fluid is approved by your specific cold-plate or CDU vendor
- Current pricing and lead times (not published)
- Lot-to-lot consistency
- Long-term field performance in your conditions
Date-stamped snapshot
This list reflects public statements we found as of October 2026. Supplier profiles show the source dates.
More questions answered
Does DSX Ready mean approved by my server maker?
Not necessarily. Check the hardware approvals.
Will more products be added?
Likely, as suppliers announce qualifications.
Reader questions
Are immersion fluids on this list?
This list focuses on direct-to-chip coolants reported as qualified.
Key point to remember
Use the list to shortlist, then verify the hardware approvals.
In practice
In practice, request qualification documentation directly from suppliers.
Next step
Open the comparator to filter these fluids, then read each supplier profile for the cited facts and the questions to ask before specifying.
Frequently asked questions
Which coolants are NVIDIA DSX Ready?
Public reports include BASF GLYTHERMIN DC PG25, Shell DLC Fluid S3, Dow DOWFROST LC and Ecolab's PG coolant. See the table and sources.
Is PG25 the standard for direct-to-chip?
It's the most common fluid in the list, and OCP publishes PG25 guidance.
Related guides
Sources
- Arteco: offices
- Arteco: our legacy
- BASF news release, Oct 2026
- BASF GLYSANTIN/GLYTHERMIN: data center
- Data Centre Magazine: NVIDIA qualifies Shell DLC fluid
- Intel: Shell customer story
- Castrol newsroom
- PR Newswire, 18 Aug 2026
- Valvoline Global: Beyond launch
- Valvoline Global: HPC Heat Transfer Fluid PG25
- Dow: DOWFROST LC 25 product page
- Ecolab: coolants for direct liquid cooling
- Dynalene: contact
- Solutherm: OAT PG heat-transfer fluid
- OCP Marketplace listing
- Opteon 2P50 product page
- Engineered Fluids: ElectroCool
- Submer: about us
- OCP: Guidelines for Using Propylene Glycol-Based Heat Transfer Fluids in Liquid Cooled Racks (Rev 2.0, Sep 2026)
- OCP: Base Specification for Single-Phase PG25 fluids v1.0.0
- ASHRAE TC9.9 white paper: Water-Cooled Servers: Common Designs, Components, and Processes