European ITAD Service Provider Expands Sustainable IT Strategy to AI Data Centers, North America

3stepIT, a provider of IT asset disposition (ITAD) and circular technology services, is expanding from Europe to North America, and sharpening its AI data center focus. Key partners include BNP Paribas, a French bank and financial services firm.

The international expansion effort comes just as some North American IT companies rethink their sustainability strategies amid U.S. President Donald Trump's pushback on many green initiatives.

Nevertheless, global demand for circular economy and ITAD services appears strong. Indeed, annual spending on ITAD is expected to reach $34 billion by 2030, up from $16.8 billion in 2022, according to Research and Markets. That's a 9.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the researcher said.

3stepIT: ITAD Business Background, Data Center Services

3stepIT, based in  Helsinki, Finland, manages more than 4 million devices for customers, the company said. Backed by more than 500 employees, 3stepIT also has offices across Sweden, Norway, Denmark and North America.

The latest move involves opening a North American headquarters in Texas, and plans for a dedicated refurbishment center in the United States before 2026. At the same tome, the company is building a data center lifecycle services division, 3stepIT said.

The data center sector appears ripe for ITAD services -- especially as cloud service providers (CSPs) and MSPs seek to source, deploy and manage power-hungry AI applications and the underlying GPU hardware.

3stepIT Business Expansion: Executive Perspectives

In a prepared statement about the business expansion, 3stepIT CEO Jakob Lagander said: "Entering the North American market represents a significant milestone for 3stepIT. The expansion into data centers also marks an important step towards offering our customers complete end-to-end lifecycle services in a sector that sits at the very heart of conversations around the impact of technology on the environment. By integrating sustainable practices with operational efficiency through our services, we aim to address these challenges head-on while supporting our customers' growth plans."

Added Jonas Rosqvist, global chief expansion officer: "We are excited to enter the North American market at this pivotal time of rapid data center growth, driven by the increasing demands of AI and advanced computing. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, the need for scalable, efficient, sustainable, and high-performance infrastructure has never been greater. We see a significant opportunity to bring our expertise and innovative solutions to support businesses in the region navigating this transformative era."

Additional ITAD Business Expansion

Meanwhile, multiple ITAD companies have made recent business moves. Examples include:

• January 14, 2025: CXtec hired Ingram Micro veteran and seasoned entrepreneur Todd Zegers to succeed Peter Belyea as CEO.
• January 9, 2025: Private equity firm Recognize acquired a majority stake in Sprout, an ITAD service provider. New Capital Partners remains a minority investor in the ITAD business.

The overall market growth has inspired multiple ITAD M&A deals since 2023.