Merck shuffles teams to fortify semiconductor business

Science and technology company Merck said its two semiconductor solutions businesses have launched as an integrated department from June 1 as part of the multinational company's effort to fortify its semiconductors materials business.

The company said the move follows the completion of its acquisition of two U.S.-based chemical and materials companies; Versum Materials and Intermolecular.

"Through the integration of Versum Materials and Intermolecular, we have set the course for future growth," said Kai Beckmann, a member of the executive board at Merck, through a press release on June 2. "Our product and service portfolio is designed to enable technological progress in the face of ever-increasing amounts of data.”

Last year, Merck acquired Arizona-based Versum Materials for 5.8 billion euros ($6.5 billion) and California-based Intermolecular for $62 million to expand its position as a supplier to the electronics industry.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]