Merck Expands Molybdenum Use to DRAM and Logic Chips
Germany's Merck plans to expand the use of molybdenum dioxide dichloride (MoO₂Cl₂) precursors from NAND flash memory to DRAM and logic semiconductors. Bing Han, senior vice president of the Thin Film Materials business at Merck Electronics, said at a press conference at Sono Felice Samsung in Gangnam on Oct. 21 that as device structures shrink, conductivity issues with copper and tungsten will drive greater adoption of molybdenum. Merck has established a molybdenum precursor production facility in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, which will be integrated with its CHEMKEEPER Vapor 200 materials delivery systems made at its Ansan plant and offered as a turnkey solution. The expansion uses land near an existing plant of M Chemicals, which Merck acquired in 2023; the site previously produced hafnium-based high-k dielectric precursors, construction began in 2024, and the facility was prepared for operation within two years. Han said Merck is planning production capacity sufficient to meet all demand from Korean customers, but the company did not disclose specific production capacity or investment figures, and it plans to eventually expand support beyond Korea to customers across Asia. As background: Samsung Electronics began using molybdenum in its 200-layer-class NAND in 2024, and SK hynix has replaced some word-line materials with molybdenum in its 300-layer-class NAND; Lam Research, Tokyo Electron and Applied Materials are among the suppliers of molybdenum deposition equipment. Hein said Merck is reviewing production capacity with customers in preparation for semiconductor materials consumption potentially doubling within the next five years.
- Related manufacturers
- Merck, Merck Electronics, Samsung Electronics, SK hynix
- Impact score
- 60 / 100, medium impact