On October 10, Merck’s Korean branch, Merck Korea, announced the opening of the Korea SOD (Spin-On Dielectric) Application Center (KSAC) in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province.

For this event, key figures from Merck’s headquarters, including CEO Kai Beckmann, who oversees the electronics business, and Suresh Rajaraman, Senior Vice President and head of the Thin Film Business, visited Korea. They were joined by local leaders such as Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Anseong Mayor Kim Bora, Samsung Electronics Vice President of Materials Development Park Seong-jun, and SK hynix Materials Development Vice President Gil Deok-shin for the opening ceremony.

Kai Beckmann, CEO of Merck’s Electronics division, emphasized that “the opening of the Korea SOD Application Center is a significant milestone in Merck’s journey to lead innovation in the semiconductor industry. This laboratory will not only spearhead advancements in semiconductor technology but also meet the fast-evolving demands of the digital industry, accelerating innovation for our clients.”

Woo Kyu Kim, CEO of Merck Korea, explained, “Merck has established this SOD Application Center in Korea to support our Korean clients, who are global leaders in the semiconductor market, including the acquisition of Mecochem. This is an essential part of Merck’s strategy to reinforce its capabilities as a hub for innovation and production in Korea.”

Merck, a leading company in semiconductor solutions, boasts one of the most comprehensive portfolios of materials-related solutions in the industry. By integrating competencies in Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), and Spin-On Dielectrics (SOD), Merck has established a unique position within the ecosystem. These materials are crucial for developing next-generation DRAM and NAND flash devices, high-bandwidth memory for AI applications, and advanced logic chips.

The new facility is Merck’s second SOD Application Center in Asia, established to meet the high demand in the region. Equipped with advanced equipment for measuring and analyzing SOD materials coated with silicon dioxide (SiO2) films, the center operates as part of Merck’s global R&D network, supported by experts across various technical fields.

Korea is one of Merck’s key investment destinations. As part of the “Level Up” growth program announced at the end of 2022, Merck plans to continuously expand production space and promote R&D and innovation, with a projected investment of approximately 600 million euros by the end of 2025. Progress has been smooth, with over 50% completion achieved to date.

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