- New €500 million Semiconductor Solutions megasite
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan – The German science and technology company Merck inaugurated a new €500 million Semiconductor Solutions megasite on Tuesday, December 12, 2025.
The facility in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was built to meet the surging global demand for advanced chips essential for the artificial intelligence industry and to bolster the global semiconductor supply chain.
The 150,000-square-meter campus is Merck’s largest semiconductor materials site in the world. It will focus on producing thin films, formulation materials, and specialty gases, which are critical components for manufacturing next-generation logic and memory chips.
The company cited a record third quarter for its Thin Films business, driven by accelerating AI demand, as a key reason for the expansion.
Production is set to begin in 2026, creating 150 new jobs in the region. Kai Beckmann, CEO of Merck’s Electronics division, stated the investment reinforces the company’s position in a strategically vital semiconductor ecosystem and strengthens its manufacturing capabilities.
The new site is a major part of Merck’s “Level Up” program, a €3 billion global investment initiative started in 2021 to expand capacity in lockstep with its major customers.
The facility was built to LEED Gold standards and will incorporate digital twin technology for smart manufacturing and process optimization.