Merck celebrates 40th anniversary of South Korean facilities

SEOUL, July 1 (UPI) -- Merck Korea said Wednesday it celebrated the 40th anniversary of its facilities in Ansan, about 25 miles south of Seoul, where it produces semiconductor gases and chemicals.

Since being established in 1986, the Ansan site has undergone a series of mergers and acquisitions before Merck Korea acquired it in 2019.

At the celebration, Merck Korea reiterated its commitment to helping create innovation in the global semiconductor industry through advanced materials, equipment and integrated process solutions.

South Korea is home to the world's two largest memory chipmakers, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, both of which are major clients of Merck Korea.

Merck Korea Managing Director WooKyu Kim said the company provides customized solutions for delivering high-purity materials and gases to buttress semiconductor manufacturers.

"Moving forward, we remain committed to maintaining our market-leading position as an essential partner across the entire semiconductor manufacturing process workflow, driving continuous technological innovation and providing close support to our domestic and international customers," he said in a statement.

Ansan City Vice Mayor Heo Nam-seok said the semiconductor industry is a strategic pillar of growth for Asia's fourth-largest economy.

"Merck has contributed to the industry through its leading expertise over the past 40 years, supporting the sector with semiconductor manufacturing facilities and a range of construction projects," he said.

"We will support more global materials, parts, and equipment companies like Merck to grow in Ansan City in the future."

Copyright 2026 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.