Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Invests €70M in Shizuoka; Total Exceeds €120M

• State-of-the-art facility to drive innovation in advanced patterning and sustainable semiconductor materials
• Investment reinforces the company’s commitment to technological leadership and customer collaboration

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced that it will invest over €70 million to construct a new Advanced Materials Development Center (AMDC) at its Shizuoka site in Japan. This latest investment brings the company's total investment in the Shizuoka site to over €120 million since 2021, enhancing its existing capabilities in advanced patterning and underscoring the company's dedication to advancing semiconductor technology, expanding research and development capacities, and supporting the growth of the global electronics industry.

The new AMDC will feature a 5,500-square-meter facility with cutting-edge cleanrooms and advanced laboratories. Built for scalability, it supports future expansions to meet evolving industry demands. 

Enhancing Innovation and Supporting Global Growth

Building upon its established Patterning Center of Excellence in Shizuoka, the company's new AMDC will enable the development of cutting-edge solutions for the latest semiconductor nodes and innovative materials that meet stringent environmental standards. By expanding facilities and consolidating critical R&D activities, the company aims to accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and better support customer needs.

"Constructing the new AMDC at our Shizuoka site reflects our strategic commitment to innovation and our confidence in Japan's semiconductor industry as a vital contributor to the global market," said Kevin Gorman, Senior Vice President and Head of Patterning Solutions at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "As a pioneer in patterning materials innovation, this investment enhances our ability to deliver Materials Intelligence™ to our customers worldwide, supporting the growth of the semiconductor industry both in Japan and globally.”

Strengthening Collaboration with Industry Partners

Japan is a key market for the company's Patterning business. In addition to serving major customers, it has established strong partnerships with leading equipment manufacturers. These collaborations have been instrumental in tackling some of the industry's most complex challenges. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is committed to further enhancing these relationships to advance the technology roadmap.

Enabling Advancement in Chip Technologies

The AMDC aligns with the company's dedication to advancing chip technologies and promoting sustainable innovation. By focusing on cutting-edge materials and solutions, such as EUV (Extreme Ultra Violet) materials, DSA (Directed Self Assembly), the AMDC aims to address environmental challenges while meeting the demands of next-generation applications, including AI chips and advanced nodes.

“At Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, our Patterning business powers next-generation semiconductor applications,” said Tomohide Katayama, Head of Core Product R&D, Formulations at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “Work at the new AMDC will involve exploring alternative materials and technological solutions that support sustainable manufacturing practices and deliver the high performance our customers expect.” Through these efforts, the company is expanding its technological capabilities to contribute to a more sustainable and innovative future for the semiconductor industry.

The new AMDC is expected to commence operations in 2026, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to driving technological advancement and supporting the industry's growth.