Companies to jointly develop cloud-based AI infrastructure services powered by refurbished and reusable AI servers
Sep 15, 2026, Tokyo, Japan – SK Tes, a global leader in sustainable technology lifecycle services and IT asset disposition (ITAD), today announced that its business entity TES-AMM Japan K.K. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with XTREME-D Inc., a Japanese specialist in high-performance computing (HPC) and AI cloud infrastructure. The agreement establishes a framework for the joint development and promotion of cloud-bases AI server platform services utilizing refurbished AI servers sourced through secure ITAD processes.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing one of the AI industry’s fastest-growing challenges: how to sustainably manage and extend the life of AI infrastructure as demand for computing power continues to accelerate.
With the rapid adoption of generative AI technologies worldwide, demand for AI servers and GPU-based computing infrastructure has increased dramatically. As organizations upgrade and replace equipment to support evolving AI workloads, data centers are generating growing volumes of retired AI servers and related hardware.
Many of these systems retain significant performance capability and residual value, creating an opportunity to extend their useful life through refurbishment and redeployment. By combining SK Tes’ expertise in secure IT asset disposition, asset recovery, and technology lifecycle services with XTREME-D’s advanced AI infrastructure and cloud platform capabilities, the two companies aim to create a sustainable circular model for AI server utilization.
Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on:
- Developing cloud-based service offerings powered by reusable AI server platforms
- Promoting and expanding cloud services utilizing AI infrastructure
- Establishing programs to acquire and redeploy AI servers that have completed their initial operational lifecycle
The collaboration will initially focus on commercializing cloud services powered by refurbished AI servers, enabling organizations to access AI computing resources more quickly, while reducing environmental impact and supporting resource circularity.
"Since our establishment in 2007, we have managed and processed a wide range of used IT equipment, helping customers securely maximize the value of retired technology assets," said Kunihiko Ozawa, Managing Director of TES-AMM Japan K.K.
"As AI adoption accelerates and the performance requirements of modern infrastructure continue to evolve, new opportunities are emerging to give high-value IT assets a second life. We are delighted to partner with XTREME-D to develop cloud-based AI platform services that leverage secure ITAD processes and advanced AI infrastructure expertise. Together, we can deliver new value to customers while supporting more sustainable technology consumption."
"Reducing e-waste and maximizing the value of finite resources are increasingly important priorities for organizations around the world. Rather than viewing retired equipment as waste, we believe it should be treated as a valuable resource that can be reintroduced into the economy through reuse, refurbishment, and responsible lifecycle management. By combining SK Tes' global ITAD capabilities with XTREME-D's technical expertise, we can help create a more circular and sustainable future for AI infrastructure," Ozawa added.
Naoki Shibata, CEO and CTO of XTREME-D Inc., commented:
"We are pleased to enter this strategic partnership with SK tes Japan to develop AI cloud services powered by ITAD-sourced equipment. As demand for generative AI continues to grow, organizations face increasing challenges related to AI infrastructure availability, procurement lead times, and rising costs. Access to high-performance AI infrastructure has become a critical business requirement."
"Our Raplase platform enables customers to access AI computing resources on demand, while our experience in building and operating supercomputing environments allows us to optimize hardware performance and deliver highly capable AI infrastructure solutions. Giving a second life to valuable IT assets not only addresses practical infrastructure challenges, but also contributes to a more resource-efficient and sustainable society."
"By partnering with SK Tes, which has extensive expertise in securely sourcing and managing end-of-life IT assets, we believe we can establish a reliable supply chain for refurbished AI infrastructure and help customers access the computing resources they need more quickly and sustainably."
As organizations continue to invest in AI technologies, both companies believe circular approaches to infrastructure management will become increasingly important. Through this partnership, SK Tes and XTREME-D aim to demonstrate how secure ITAD practices, asset recovery, and advanced cloud technologies can work together to unlock new value from retired AI infrastructure while reducing environmental impact.
About XTREME-D Inc.
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, XTREME-D is a cloud supercomputing and AI infrastructure company specializing in high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud technologies. The company was established to make access to HPC computing simpler, faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective for enterprises and research organizations.
Its flagship cloud services evolved from the HPC-focused AXXE-L platform into the AI infrastructure platform Raplase, which supports a growing range of AI and generative AI workloads. XTREME-D also operates XTREME-D AMERICA Inc. in California, United States.
For more information, visit: https://xtreme-d.net/
About SK Tes:
Since our formation in 2005, SK Tes, a subsidiary of SK ecoplant, has grown to become a global leader in sustainable battery recycling and technology lifecycle services. We provide comprehensive services for battery recycling, extracting scarce materials from used batteries at purity rates high enough that they can be reused in the manufacturing supply chain.
SK tes has over 40 owned facilities across 22 countries offering unmatched service-level consistency, consistent commercials, lower logistics costs, local compliance experts in-region, support in local time zones and languages, and a deep understanding of transboundary movement globally.
Learn more about our SK Tes Japan Site
