Merck, a leading science and technology company, has solidified its position in the semiconductor industry. It has completed the acquisition of Unity-SC and launched its new optronics business unit, the company announced on October 31. Unity-SC is a renowned provider of metrology and inspection instrumentation.

Merck acquired Unity-SC for €155 million (US $169 million) plus additional milestone-based payments. This strategic move strengthens Merck's portfolio in key technologies for AI applications, such as heterogeneous Integration.

Unity-SC is based in Montbonnot-Saint-Martin in Grenoble, France and employs approximately 160 people, with 70 employees dedicated to research and development. Their expertise will complement Merck's existing workforce of 8,000 in the Electronics business sector.

Optronics Business Unit

Merck's Display Solutions business unit will rebrand as "Optronics" in 2025, reflecting its expanded focus on harnessing the transformative power of light to reshape electronic devices and systems.

Kai Beckmann, Member of the Executive Board and CEO Electronics at Merck, emphasized the significance of this strategic shift:

"As the industry moves towards more complex and integrated systems, the need for comprehensive solutions and precise metrology and inspection tools has become increasingly important. With our Optronics business and the acquisition of Unity-SC, we have significantly expanded our portfolio to include metrology solutions for semiconductor and opto-electronic manufacturing. This convergence signals an extension of Merck’s relevance in the electronics ecosystem; where materials science, delivery, metrology and inspection, work hand-in-hand to enable better, faster, more efficient and more reliable production of next-generation chips and devices."  

The Future of Electronics

Optronics aims to leverage Merck's deep expertise in optical physics and materials, gained from years of working with LCD and OLED displays, to drive the convergence of optics and semiconductors. This will enable the development of next-generation technologies, such as optics on chips, which are crucial for achieving high data transfer rates in future computing systems.

Additionally, Merck remains committed to advancements in Liquid Crystal (LC) and OLED materials, while exploring new opportunities in the field of Advanced Reality (AR/VR/MR). By combining specialized optronics and semiconductor knowledge with cutting-edge metrology, Merck seeks to address essential future key technologies in electronics and create unique synergies.

A Brighter Future for Semiconductor Technology

The acquisition of Unity-SC and the launch of the Optronics business unit mark significant milestones for Merck. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and strategic partnerships, Merck is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the semiconductor industry.