Merck, a leading science and technology company, has opened a €20 million Metrology and Inspection facility in Saint-Ismier, France. The new site strengthens its semiconductor equipment capabilities at a time of rising global demand for advanced chips.
The 4,500-square-metre facility expands Merck’s ability to develop and produce precision metrology and inspection tools used in chip manufacturing. The investment comes as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and advanced memory architectures push complexity higher across the semiconductor value chain.
The site is located in the Grenoble region, a key European semiconductor hub. It is intended to reinforce regional manufacturing capacity and support Europe’s broader push for greater semiconductor self-reliance.
“Advancing chip performance increasingly relies on the intricate architecture of chip systems rather than solely on miniaturization. With chip designs becoming increasingly complex, even the smallest inconsistencies can jeopardize entire systems,” said Ben Hein, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Electronics. “Our expertise in metrology and inspection provides chip manufacturers with the precise tools and solutions they need to realize the next wave of technological advancements.”
The facility increases Merck’s production capacity for metrology and inspection systems fivefold. These tools are central to improving yield, quality, and efficiency in semiconductor manufacturing.
Metrology systems measure parameters such as depth, step height, and film thickness during production. This enables real-time process adjustments. Inspection systems detect defects across multiple stages of fabrication. Together, they help reduce production errors and improve output quality.
The technologies are especially important for advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration. These approaches stack memory and logic components vertically. The result is higher performance and lower energy consumption. The methods are increasingly used in AI chips, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
Merck’s Electronics business continues to expand its semiconductor materials and equipment portfolio. In 2024, the company acquired Unity-SC, strengthening its optical inspection capabilities and expanding its presence in precision measurement technologies.
The Saint-Ismier site currently employs more than 100 people across production and R&D. Merck plans to add around 100 additional engineering roles over the next four years.
Sustainability is a core element of the facility. The site uses a straw-insulated wooden structure and a sealed concrete base. Rooftop and canopy-mounted solar panels are expected to generate around 40% of its energy needs. Interior systems include energy-efficient lighting, shading, and climate control.
