20 Facts About Airtrunk

AirTrunk: A Hyperscale Data Centre Pioneer

AirTrunk has rapidly grown into a major player in the data centre industry since its inception. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this innovative company.

1. Founding and Vision
   AirTrunk was founded in 2015 by Robin Khuda. The company aimed to pioneer hyperscale data centres in the Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) region, focusing on megawatt-scale growth to support the burgeoning cloud computing industry.

2. Initial Success
   The business model was designed to offer fast, flexible, secure, and scalable solutions for cloud customers. This approach quickly attracted attention and laid the groundwork for future growth.

3. First Major Customers
   Signing its first major cloud customers was a significant milestone. This early success helped establish AirTrunk's reputation and set the stage for rapid expansion.

Investment and Expansion Milestones

AirTrunk's growth has been fueled by strategic investments and expansions. Here are some key moments in its journey.

4. Investment and Expansion
   In 2020, AirTrunk received substantial investments from Goldman Sachs and TSSP. This funding enabled the opening of major data centres in Sydney West (SYD1) and Melbourne West (MEL1), with capacities of over 130 MW and 185 MW respectively.

5. Singapore HQ and Australian Expansions
   The company expanded its operations by opening its Singapore headquarters and continuing to grow its Australian data centre campuses, including SYD1 and MEL1.

6. Macquarie Investment
   A major investment led by Macquarie valued AirTrunk at A$3 billion. This investment facilitated the opening of HKG1 in Hong Kong (20 MW+) and SGP1 in Singapore (78 MW+), the first double data centre in the APJ region.

7. SYD2 and Japan HQ
   AirTrunk opened SYD2 in Sydney North (110 MW+) and established its Japan headquarters. The company also announced a A$2.1 billion Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL) and released its inaugural Sustainability Report. Additionally, TOK1, a 300 MW data centre in Tokyo East, was opened.

Commitment to Sustainability

AirTrunk is dedicated to sustainability, aiming to reduce its environmental impact through various initiatives.

8. Sustainability Initiatives
   AirTrunk has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. The company has implemented energy efficiency improvements, water management frameworks, and included Scope 3 emissions in its reporting.

9. Net Zero Emissions Roadmap
   The company has outlined a roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, focusing on Scope 1 and 2 emissions. It continues to monitor, measure, and report Scope 3 emissions.

10. Energy Efficiency
    AirTrunk has achieved an annual average operating Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.35, which is 20% lower than the Asia Pacific region average. This demonstrates its commitment to energy efficiency.

11. Water Management Framework
    A new water management framework ensures sustainable and productive water usage. The company sets Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) limits in water-stressed areas and establishes innovative water productivity thresholds.

12. Scope 3 Emissions Inclusion
    For the first time, AirTrunk included Scope 3 emissions in its reporting, covering embodied carbon, business travel, employee commuting, and employees working from home.

Recognitions and Rankings

AirTrunk's efforts have not gone unnoticed. The company has received several accolades for its workplace environment and sustainability efforts.

13. Ranking in Best Workplaces
    AirTrunk has been ranked #10 in Australia’s Best Workplaces™ for both 2023 and 2024 by Great Place To Work®. This recognition reflects the company's commitment to creating a positive work environment.

14. Gender Diversity
    The company has made significant strides in gender diversity, increasing the representation of women across its employee base to 32.6% in FY22, up from 27% in FY21.

15. Independent Assurance
    KPMG has been engaged to independently assure selected sustainability information, including Scope 1, 2, and selected Scope 3 emissions, as well as carbon offsets.

Future Plans and Market Impact

AirTrunk continues to expand and innovate, shaping the future of data centre infrastructure.

16. Global HQ and New Data Centres
    AirTrunk opened its global headquarters and launched new data centres, including TOK2 in Tokyo West (110+ MW) and JHB1 in Johor Bahru (150+ MW). Several more data centres are set to open in the coming years.

17. Sustainable Financing
    The company converted its A$2.1 billion corporate loan facility into a Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL), the largest SLL for a data centre globally. The loan utilized operating PUE as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and met all its SLL KPIs in FY22.

18. Expansion Plans
    AirTrunk is well-capitalized to fund its development of data centres across the APJ region. New data centres are set to open in various locations, including Sydney, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

19. Bidding War and Acquisition
    In August 2024, a bidding war for AirTrunk reached A$20 billion (US$13.55 billion). Blackstone, backed by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), emerged as the successful bidder.

20. Market Significance
    The acquisition of AirTrunk by Blackstone underscores the critical role of data infrastructure in an increasingly digital economy. The surge in interest in data centres reflects the accelerating demand for technological infrastructure, driven by the rapid adoption of cloud computing and AI.

AirTrunk's Impact and Future

AirTrunk has quickly become a heavyweight in the hyperscale data centre world. Founded in 2015, the company has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to its innovative approach and strategic expansions. With major investments from Goldman Sachs, TSSP, and Macquarie, AirTrunk has opened massive data centres across the Asia-Pacific and Japan regions.

Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 and their impressive energy efficiency metrics. The company’s focus on gender diversity and sustainable financing further highlights its forward-thinking ethos.

The recent acquisition by Blackstone underscores the growing importance of data infrastructure in our digital age. As AirTrunk continues to expand, it remains a key player in shaping the future of cloud computing and data centre infrastructure. The journey from a startup to a major industry player is a testament to AirTrunk’s vision and execution.