Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Merck opens molybdenum semiconductor material plant in South Korea
Merck has opened a molybdenum precursor plant in Eumseong, South Korea to serve local semiconductor companies.
The material is used to make fine metal wiring that connects transistors inside chips.
Manufacturers have traditionally used tungsten or copper, but increasingly small and densely packed chip designs have increased interest in alternatives.
Merck says molybdenum has higher electrical conductivity and lower resistance than those metals.
All production at the new plant is intended for South Korean customers, as Merck builds a local supply system.
The company says combining material production with supply and measurement systems can raise material-use efficiency above 99% and support mass production.
The material is already used in 3D NAND, and Merck says it could be used in DRAM and logic chips in the future.
Merck’s South Korean subsidiary is opening a molybdenum precursor production facility in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province.
The facility is intended to supply all of its molybdenum precursor output to customers in South Korea.
Molybdenum is a next-generation material for the metal wiring that connects transistors in semiconductor chips.
Merck says its integrated materials and supply systems can support mass production and raise material-use efficiency above 99%.
The material is currently used in 3D NAND and could later be used in DRAM and logic devices, a Merck executive said.
- Who
- Merck’s South Korean subsidiary, Korea Merck, is opening the facility.
- What
- A new facility will produce molybdenum precursor for semiconductors.
- When
- The opening ceremony is scheduled for October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Merck’s site in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
- Why
- Merck aims to supply local customers and support semiconductor production with an integrated materials and supply system.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bing Han spoke at a press briefing in Seoul about molybdenum’s properties and possible future uses.
Korea Merck is scheduled to hold the opening ceremony for its new production facility in Eumseong.
- Location
- Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea
- Material
- Molybdenum precursor, MoO₂Cl₂
- Local supply
- All output from the new facility is intended for South Korean customers.
- Current use
- 3D NAND products
- Material-use efficiency
- More than 99% of material use is targeted through Merck’s integrated solution.
What people are saying
Molybdenum is much more conductive than tungsten and copper, and has lower electrical resistance, so energy efficiency and reliability are higher
Korea is one of the countries where the most memory is produced in the world, and is one of the world's top three markets for semiconductor materials