Motul, winner of the ECONUM call for projects for an environmentally responsible digital industry
Motul has been named a winner of the "ECONUM" call for projects by Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, the Forest, the Sea and Fishing, during Vivatech (Europe's leading event dedicated to technology and innovation). Motul was selected for the OPRREE project (Optimization of Cooling Performance and Reduction of Environmental Footprint in a Data Center), carried out in partnership with OVHcloud and the LAMIH laboratory at the Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France. The project aims to develop an innovative, low-impact immersion cooling system for data centers. As project coordinator, Motul will develop a high-performance, bio-based dielectric cooling fluid that meets the technical and environmental needs of the digital industry.
Motul, a leading brand in the engine and industrial lubricants market, is among the eleven new winners of the “ECONUM – Supporting an innovative, circular and low-impact digital economy” call for projects. The initiative is managed on behalf of the French State by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition) and co-led by the Directorate General for Enterprises (DGE), as part of the France 2030 investment plan.
Motul is leading the OPRREE project in collaboration with OVHcloud, Europe’s cloud leader, and LAMIH (Laboratory of Automation, Mechanics and Industrial and Human Computer Science), an expert in thermal management of electronic equipment. The goal is to design an innovative cooling solution to help make data centers more environmentally responsible.
This project builds on Motul’s longstanding expertise in developing essential fluids to sustainably improve performance. For decades, Motul has used its formulation know-how to support the key technologies of each era. Today, that expertise is being applied to digital infrastructure, where thermal control is a major lever for performance and sustainability. With this project, Motul confirms its commitment to delivering ever more responsible technical solutions to support a transitioning industry.
OPRREE focuses on immersion cooling technology using high-performance, bio-based dielectric fluids specially developed to optimize thermal management while reducing the environmental impact of cooling. The project demonstrates that performance and sustainability can go hand in hand to support the growth of France’s digital industry. Officially starting in September 2025 for a duration of 36 months, the project aims to cut CO₂ emissions by at least 25% and improve energy efficiency by at least 20%.
The stakes are high: data centers account for 46% of the environmental footprint of the digital sector in France. According to the International Energy Agency, energy consumption from data centers is expected to double by 2030.
Since 2019, the development of new thermal management technologies has been a key pillar of Motul’s innovation strategy, offering low-carbon solutions to digital businesses. Motul, OVHcloud and LAMIH, in collaboration with local authorities, are supporting the shift to greener technologies through this ambitious project. Results will be shared through industrial case studies and scientific publications to help advance the immersion cooling sector.
"As a pioneer in our field, we’re proud to expand our innovation capacity—the foundation of our expertise—to support the digital industry’s growth ambitions while addressing environmental challenges. This project perfectly reflects Motul’s commitment to driving major transitions. The support provided through France 2030 is a key accelerator for developing ever more efficient and sustainable solutions," said Julien Plet, Head of R&D at Motul.
About Motul
Motul specializes in the formulation, production, and distribution of high-quality lubricants that elevate performance in multiple usages from powersport to passenger cars, heavy duty, and industrial applications. Motul has pioneered synthetic oils with its flagship 300V, the first 100% synthetic multigrade lubricant. Building on this long-term know-how, Motul is now extending its expertise to care products for cars, motorbikes and bicycles, as well as advanced fluids for the thermal management of electric vehicle batteries and digital infrastructures such as data centers, addressing the performance and sustainability challenges of tomorrow.
Founded in 1853, Motul is a global company present in 160 countries. Over the years, the brand has built a solid reputation as a trusted partner to support the performance of leading manufacturers, top motorsport teams and major championships, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the WEC, MotoGP, Dakar, Goodwood, or the UCI Mountain Bike World Series.
