Merck opens semiconductor metrology site in France, creates 100 jobs

Merck, a leading science and technology company, opened its new Metrology & Inspection site in Saint-Ismier, France. The €20 million, 4,500 m² site strengthens Merck's capacity to develop and manufacture precise metrology and inspection tools to address the growing demands of the semiconductor industry for high-performance chips. This demand is driven by the rapid growth of AI applications. Strategically located in the Grenoble area, one of Europe's most established semiconductor clusters, the site reinforces Merck's role in building a more resilient and competitive European semiconductor ecosystem.

“Advancing chip performance increasingly relies on the intricate architecture of chip systems rather than solely on miniaturization. With chip designs becoming increasingly complex, even the smallest inconsistencies can jeopardize entire systems. This makes quality assurance and reliability more challenging than ever,” said Ben Hein, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Electronics. “Our expertise in metrology and inspection provides chip manufacturers with the precise tools and solutions they need to realize the next wave of technological advancements.”

Merck’s Electronics business is a key enabler of technology roadmaps, offering one of the broadest portfolios of materials and equipment for the semiconductor industry. The acquisition of Unity-SC, based in Montbonnot-Saint-Martin near Grenoble, France, in October 2024, further complemented Merck’s optical expertise. With more than 100 employees now operating at the new site — spanning production as well as research and development — and plans to create approximately 100 additional advanced engineering jobs over the next four years, Merck is driving the convergence of optics and semiconductors to meet the demands of next-generation technologies. This enables advanced chip systems for AI, High-Performance Computing (HPC), and High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) applications, further reinforcing Merck Electronics' trajectory of profitable growth.