Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Marks Fifth Anniversary of MDM Shanghai

• Continuous investments have enabled Display Materials site in Shanghai (MDM) to become an integrated hub for integrated supply chain, R&D, application development as well as sales and marketing
• Latest investment, the OLED Technology Center China, receives financial recognition from the Technology Upgrading Fund of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization

Darmstadt, Germany, December 3, 2018 – Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, is celebrating today the fifth anniversary of the company’s Display Materials site in Shanghai (MDM Shanghai). With continuous investments over the past five years, this site has become an integrated hub for the Performance Materials business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in China, providing a wide range of services, from integrated supply chain, R&D, application development to sales and marketing, to customers in China.

“China is an important future growth market for us and part of our global strategy. We are continuously investing in China to strengthen our presence as a local player. China’s capabilities and expertise complement our global network of expertise, innovation and quality very nicely,” said Kai Beckmann, CEO Performance Materials and member of the Executive Board. “In the long term, we aim to continue our growth in China and become an active player in the dynamic Chinese innovation ecosystem.”

MDM Shanghai opened its Liquid Crystal Center, the Display Materials R&D laboratory and the new Surface Solutions application laboratory (Technology Application Network China) in 2013, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The number of employees has grown from less than 100 in 2013 to over 300 in 2018 while the total surface area of the facilities is 51% greater than in 2013.

MDM Shanghai recently won the “Innovation Excellence Award” from the “40 Years On: Multinational Corporations and Shanghai” initiative by Shanghai Daily for the outstanding development of the Innovation Center Shanghai.

The OLED Technology Center China, which was inaugurated in June 2018, has been financially recognized by the Technology Upgrading Fund of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization for its contribution to the development of the value chain and innovation with respect to OLED technology in China. The Technology Upgrading Fund aims to recognize and encourage the investment activities of companies to adopt new technologies, processes, equipment and materials to upgrade existing technology and enhance industry development.

“Within the scope of our strategy for China, we aim to deepen stakeholder engagement in a holistic way within the dynamic local ecosystem,” said Allan Gabor, President of the global business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in China and Managing Director of Performance Materials China. “The recognition, initiated by our Corporate Affairs team in China in collaboration with local business and central function teams, is excellent proof of the success of this strategy.”

By setting up the OLED Technology Center China, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is introducing the latest innovations in OLED materials to China and accelerating the development of new display technology in this country. This in turn will significantly support the development of strategic emerging industries listed in the 13th Five-Year Development Plan, e.g. new display, wearable devices, etc. This center offers a range of state-of-the-art equipment and cleanroom facilities to enable OLED device fabrication and characterization. It will serve as a collaboration space for customers and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany as they work together to generate the ideal solutions for their OLED display products.