NEW DELHI– German technology giant Merck and Tata Electronics Private Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic collaboration to develop semiconductor materials, fabrication infrastructure, and specialty chemical and gas distribution in India.
Under the agreement, Merck will provide its full suite of products and services for Tata Electronics’ upcoming fab in Dholera, Gujarat. These include high-purity electronic materials, advanced gas and chemical delivery systems, turnkey fab infrastructure services, and AI-powered Material Intelligence solutions, according to a company statement.
As part of the partnership, Merck will also share best practices in safety and manufacturing, and give Tata Electronics access to Athinia, a secure data analytics platform designed to facilitate collaboration across the semiconductor industry. The agreement also covers plans for localized warehousing, raw material supply chain development, talent cultivation, and the establishment of industry processes and standards in India.
“India’s semiconductor journey is gathering global momentum, and Merck is proud to be among the first to power it since its inception,” said Dr. Kai Beckmann, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO of Electronics. “The collaboration with Tata Electronics reflects our long-standing strategy: to be a trusted partner in key growth markets, enabling scale through safety, precision, and innovation. Together, the aim is to build a resilient and future-ready materials ecosystem that supports India’s semiconductor aspirations.”
Randhir Thakur, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Electronics, said: “We have a bold vision of becoming a leader in semiconductor manufacturing by offering integrated solutions across the value chain to our global customers. This strategic partnership with Merck brings not only world-class expertise in advanced materials but also a shared commitment to the highest standards of safety and manufacturing excellence. By leveraging Merck’s decades of global experience in chemical safety, process optimization, and digital tools, we will build a resilient ecosystem and accelerate the timely execution of our fab in Dholera, Gujarat. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks in quality, safety, and innovation for the global semiconductor industry.”
The MoU aligns with the India Semiconductor Mission and highlights Tata Electronics’ and Merck’s role as early movers in building domestic chipmaking capabilities. Tata Electronics is investing Rs 91,000 crore (about $11 billion) in India’s first fab in Dholera. The facility will manufacture chips for applications in automotive, mobile devices, artificial intelligence, and other key sectors worldwide. Construction of the fab is advancing quickly, making partnerships across the semiconductor ecosystem—including design, process technology, materials, and equipment—critical.
With decades of global expertise in semiconductor materials and sub-fab services, Merck brings technical depth, international best practices, and a strong focus on safety and sustainability to India. The partnership is expected to support Tata Electronics’ fab and help strengthen the broader semiconductor ecosystem, spanning suppliers, workforce development, and technology innovation, the statement added. (Source: IANS)
