Semiconductor material company to open new factory in Chandler

PHOENIX — A company that makes materials for semiconductors announced Tuesday a new factory would open in Chandler, supporting the local microchip industry as well as creating more than 100 jobs.

EMD Electronics, part of Darmstadt, Germany, company Merck KGaA, said in a press release the $28 million investment will be used to manufacture equipment for its systems that distribute gases and chemicals to tools at semiconductor fabrication plants.

Operations are expected to begin by the end of this year.

“Arizona is excited to welcome EMD Electronics’ new factory,” Gov. Doug Ducey said in the release.

“EMD Electronics’ Delivery Systems and Services expansion is a valuable addition to our state’s thriving semiconductor ecosystem, increasing manufacturing and transportation capabilities critical to the semiconductor production process. We look forward to continuing to grow Arizona’s unrivaled semiconductor supply chain.”

The factory also allows the company to grow its systems in targeted regions of North America and Europe, with supplemental capacity to supply Asia, according to the release.

“A record number of greenfield capital projects indicates that the momentum of our industry is set to remain strong,” Katherine Dei Cas, head of the Delivery Systems & Services business unit within the electronics business sector of Merck KGaA, said in the release. “The opening of our new factory shows our commitment to further support our customers’ ambitious growth plans.

“We are proud to expand our production capacity and innovation footprint in Arizona and to contribute to the state’s development as a major semiconductor hub in the U.S.”

The company also has a regional office in Tempe.

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