3M Partners With Microsoft to Deploy Expanded Beam Optical Technology in Azure AI Data Centers

Product / TechM&A · Partnership
โดย Simply Wall St·Read original
Summary · why it matters

3M Company announced a partnership with Microsoft on July 15, 2026, making Azure the first hyperscale cloud to deploy 3M's Expanded Beam Optical technology in its AI-focused data centers, while 3M adopts Microsoft's AI and digital platforms across core business functions. The collaboration leverages 3M's materials science and optical connectivity strengths alongside Microsoft's cloud infrastructure to support AI infrastructure growth and modernize 3M's internal operations. The deal follows 3M's earlier expansion of US manufacturing capacity for Expanded Beam Optical interconnects, positioning the company to supply hyperscale data centers with a concrete, high-profile use case. Despite the innovation and margin expansion catalysts, unresolved PFAS litigation remains a key near-term swing factor for cash flow and sentiment. 3M's narrative projects $27.2 billion in revenue and $4.9 billion in earnings by 2029, with a fair value estimate of $170.97 per share, representing a 6% upside to the current price.

Impact on stocks 2

Artificial Intelligence▲ · 2 stocks
3M Company
MMM
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

Microsoft Azure is the first hyperscale cloud to deploy 3M's Expanded Beam Optical technology, providing a concrete, high-profile use case for AI data centers.

Microsoft Corporation
MSFT
▲ PositiveTechnologyrelevance

Microsoft Azure gains access to 3M's Expanded Beam Optical technology for AI data centers, enhancing its cloud infrastructure.

Theme Impact 5

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