Merck Opens New Molybdenum Production Facility in South Korea to Advance Next-Generation Semiconductor Manufacturing

Merck has opened a new molybdenum precursor production facility in South Korea to enhance its capabilities for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. The Eumseong site in North Chungcheong Province began operations on October 22, reflecting the increased demand for materials capable of supporting complex chip designs, particularly in artificial intelligence-driven memory and logic chips.

Merck's CEO, Benjamin Hein, attended the opening ceremony along with other executives from the company's electronics business, including the Chief Technology Officer, Head of Integrated Supply Chain, and Head of the Thin Films business. The facility aims to integrate advanced materials, delivery equipment, and process technologies into unified solutions for semiconductor manufacturers.

Molybdenum emerges as a key material for advanced architectures due to its low electrical resistance and compatibility with deposition processes, especially in three-dimensional NAND flash memory and future DRAM wordline applications. The newly established facility will manufacture molybdenum dioxide dichloride, a specialty precursor used in chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition, which are crucial for depositing precise thin films on semiconductor wafers.

By manufacturing and delivering molybdenum precursor materials locally in South Korea, Merck seeks to improve material availability, technical responsiveness, and overall manufacturing efficiency. This strategy aligns with Merck's broader approach to integrating materials science, delivery equipment, and digital technologies to help customers achieve higher process stability and faster development of advanced semiconductor technologies.