Merck Joins Intel-Led Consortium to Boost Semiconductor Supply Chain Resilience and Sustainability

Merck Joins Intel-Led Consortium to Boost Semiconductor Supply Chain Resilience and Sustainability

(IN BRIEF) Merck has joined the “Semiconductor-X” research project, a consortium led by Intel Germany and the Fraunhofer IFF, focusing on the digitalization of semiconductor supply chains to improve resilience and sustainability. The project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, has a budget of 30 million euros and will run until September 2026. Merck will contribute its expertise in materials and solutions for semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to develop digital twins of supply chains and promote sustainable manufacturing practices.

(PRESS RELEASE) DARMSTADT, 23-Jul-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Merck has joined a consortium of over 20 partners in Germany, led by Intel Germany and the Fraunhofer IFF (Institute for Factory Operation and Automation), to work on the “Semiconductor-X” research project. This initiative focuses on the digitalization of supply chains within the semiconductor industry, aiming to enhance resilience and sustainability. The project, with a total budget of 30 million euros, is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and is set to run until September 2026.

As a leading science and technology company, Merck will contribute its expertise and solutions for the semiconductor industry to help develop digital structures and solutions for value chains. The “Semiconductor-X” project will develop digital twins of supply and value chains and facilitate decentralized, sovereign, and secure data exchange. The aim is to strengthen operational and supply capabilities, particularly in crisis situations, through improved networking and digital solutions. The project also focuses on sustainable semiconductor manufacturing to reduce the industry’s CO2 footprint, energy, and water consumption.

Kai Beckmann, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Electronics, emphasized the importance of the semiconductor industry in the value chain of many other industries and highlighted the potential for greater resilience and sustainability through the digitalization of value chains.

Merck’s Electronics business, which provides a wide range of materials and solutions for semiconductor manufacturing, is positioned at the beginning of the value chain and advocates for increased joint research and collaboration within the industry. In 2023, Merck and Intel launched a joint academic research program with European research institutions to develop sustainable semiconductor manufacturing solutions. In May 2024, Merck signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate collaborative research in academia and industry, further advancing progress in life sciences.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck generated sales of € 21 billion in 65 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.

Media Contact:

Adrian Woitzik
adrian.woitzik@merckgroup.com
Telephone: +49 151 1454-7499

SOURCE: Merck