EMD Electronics is the Electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operating in the United States and Canada. The company distinguishes itself in the semiconductor industry through a unique combination of global heritage, deep scientific expertise and a customer-centric approach that few competitors can match. As part of Merck KGaA, a family-owned company with a remarkable 355-year history, EMD Electronics benefits from the stability, innovation legacy and global resources of one of the world’s oldest and most respected science and technology enterprises.
A trusted partner across the value chain, our company offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of high-tech materials and material-related solutions for the semiconductor industry, from specialty gases and deposition materials to planarization and patterning chemistries. We also provide advanced display materials such as liquid crystals and OLEDs.
With our Materials Intelligence™ solutions — which integrate our broad materials expertise with advanced analytics, AI and deep scientific insight — we accelerate chip innovation to overcome complex technical challenges.
Simply put, our offerings go far beyond the solutions that solve today’s toughest challenges: We deliver trusted partnerships, innovation rooted in centuries of science, and a forward-looking vision backed by one of the world’s most esteemed technology leaders.
Our semiconductor solutions empower wafer processing at every critical step of the value chain, shaping the future of computing. We manufacture advanced materials with high tolerances, ensuring seamless integration into our customers’ processes.
Our Optronics business combines advanced chemistry, optics, display and semiconductor technology to meet the demands for immersive digital experiences, advanced computing, high-speed data transmission and improved energy efficiency.
Our solutions drive future technologies, including energy-efficient AI data centers, fully immersive AR/VR experiences, low-energy neuromorphic computing and revolutionary quantum computing.
Our chemistry, physics and materials science are industry-leading and can be found inside almost every device. There is a 99% chance that any device containing a semiconductor — from the cell phone in your pocket to the world’s largest supercomputers — was made with our materials.
Looking Forward
Arizona has solidified its position as a key player in the semiconductor sector, renowned for cutting-edge technology and a robust industry presence. That said, the rapid pace of technology change and evolving job market demands has led to a talent shortage, with many critical roles unfilled. With more than 100 years of presence in the United States, EMD Electronics has deep relationships with leading companies, research institutions and industry partners that are tackling this challenge head on.
From our Tempe and Chandler campuses to our global footprint, we are united by one mission: to create technologies that make modern life possible, all while building a workplace where everyone can belong, grow and thrive. We proudly collaborate with local schools, nonprofits and workforce development organizations to create lasting impact.
In Arizona specifically, where our presence continues to grow, we launched and sponsored the “Chip in for Arizona” competition, a statewide competition designed to encourage college students to imagine what the future of the semiconductor industry in the state could look like. The competition sparked enthusiasm for science and technology, exposed students to real-world branding applications in the field, and demonstrated our belief that the next generation of talent must be nurtured today.
At a Glance
Company name: EMD Electronics, the North America Electronics business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Number of employees in U.S. / globally: 2,000+ / 7,000+
Years in Arizona: Nearly 20 years
Did you benefit from the CHIPS Act? The semiconductor industry in the U.S. is benefitting from the CHIPS Act. And as a key supplier, we appreciate the stimulus for this important part of the economy. We as EMD Electronics already decided in 2021 to invest more than $1 billion in the U.S. prior and independent to the CHIPS and Science Act and we have since delivered on that commitment. Although we did not seek funding ourselves, we fully support our customers who have entered agreements through the CHIPS Act.
This approach reflects our ongoing investment strategy and strong commitment to the U.S. market — where we continue to drive innovation, support the growth of the semiconductor industry and contribute to the broader technology ecosystem.
What vertical(s) do you specialize in? Semiconductor manufacturing
How do you fit into the semiconductor ecosystem? Our company offers one of the broadest portfolios of innovation-critical materials and materials-related solutions for the semiconductor and optoelectronics industries — as detailed above.
Photo courtesy of EMD Electronics
See all “SEMI Complete” company spotlights.
