Merck KGaA Partners with Tata Electronics as Primary Materials Supplier for Dholera Chip Fab

Merck KGaA (operating as Merck Electronics) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Electronics to become the primary supplier of specialty materials and services for Tata's semiconductor manufacturing facility being established in Dholera, Gujarat. This collaboration is a key development in support of India's Semiconductor Mission.

Details of the MoU

Partnership Goal: To jointly develop capabilities in semiconductor materials, fabrication infrastructure, and specialty chemical and gas distribution within India, building a resilient and indigenous semiconductor ecosystem.

Tata's Dholera Facility: Tata Electronics is investing ₹91,000 crore (approximately $11 billion) to build India's first large-scale semiconductor fabrication plant (Fab) in the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR). This facility is a joint venture with Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC).

Merck's Role: Merck will provide a full suite of products and services, including:

High-purity electronic materials

Advanced gas and chemical delivery systems

Turnkey fab infrastructure services

AI-powered Material Intelligence™ solutions (via the Athinia data platform)

Broader Collaboration: The partnership extends beyond just supply, encompassing plans for localised warehousing, development of raw material supply chains, talent cultivation, and the establishment of industry standards in India.

Purpose of the Fab: The Dholera plant will produce chips for a wide range of applications, including automotive, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence (AI), serving global customers.

The MoU was signed at the Semicon India 2025 event, underscoring its strategic importance for India's technological self-reliance.