Merck's Korean subsidiary wins prime minister's citation

Merck Korea Managing Director Kim Woo-kyu, right, poses for a photo during the 30th Korea Gas Safety Awards held in western Seoul on Wednesday. [MERCK KOREA]

Merck Electronics’ Korean subsidiary has won a prime minister’s citation for its gas supply technology for chip manufacturing, the German chemical supplier said Thursday.

Versum Materials Hanyang Machinery, Merck Electronics’ Ansan, Gyeonggi-based subsidiary, was awarded the recognition at the 30th Korea Gas Safety Awards hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and organized by the Korea Gas Safety Corporation.

The ceremony was held in western Seoul on Wednesday with some 350 attendees.

The citation was given in recognition of the company’s contribution to the semiconductor industry. Merck has developed and commercially deployed Korea’s first gas supply system for special gases used in semiconductor production lines, which the company said has an import substitution effect worth 200 billion won ($155 million) a year by replacing equipment that has previously been imported from overseas.

The technology is also estimated to have improved productivity and reduced equipment costs that add up to 300 billion won a year saved for Merck’s customers.

Hanyang Technology, founded in 1986, was merged with Versum Materials HYT, which was later acquired by Merck in 2019.

“We are very happy to contribute to the development of our customers and Korea's high-tech industry, and we feel an even stronger sense of responsibility,” said Kim Woo-kyu, managing director of Merck Korea.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]