IT contractors looking at cloud-based information storage should consider modular data storage solutions, it is claimed.

According to the programme director for infrastructure at Capgemini Paul Wilson, a modular data centre is a lot more sustainable.

The whole system is reusable and all but the cooling panels can be recycled - meaning that it uses around ten times less embedded carbon than building a traditional data centre would, Mr Wilson claims.

Using this kind of system can help IT contractors and others looking for storage solutions to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of their business.

"Putting your outsourced data centre here allows you to get onto a sustainable path," Mr Wilson concludes.

Capgemini's new Merlin data centre claims to be setting a "new standard" for energy efficiency, with the best Power Usage Effectiveness rating of any similar facility anywhere in the world.

The 30,000 sq ft centre is to open next month.