EMD Performance Materials
EMD Performance Materials is the North American high-tech materials subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, supplying semiconductor, display, and specialty chemical materials — including OLED materials, liquid crystals, thin films, and specialty gases — to electronics, pharmaceutical, and research customers across 65 countries.
- Company typePublic
- Founded-
- HeadquartersDarmstadt, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What EMD Performance Materials does
EMD Performance Materials is the North American high-tech materials arm of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operating as part of the group's Electronics sector alongside Life Science (MilliporeSigma) and Healthcare (EMD Serono) businesses. Founded in 1668 and headquartered in Darmstadt with a major US presence in Boston, the company is dual-structured as a publicly traded DAX-listed KGaA controlled by the Merck family (approximately 70% via E. Merck KG, now in its 13th generation). The group employs 62,000-63,000 people across 65 countries and reported €20.2 billion in 2024 revenue.
The company's core products span specialty chemicals and materials: OLED and liquid crystal materials for displays, thin films, specialty gases, formulations, and metrology and inspection systems for semiconductor manufacturing; bio-based solvents such as Cyrene; the Milli-Q lab water purification platform; and the Bio4C Software Suite for bioprocess analytics. It also distributes more than 300,000 Life Science SKUs spanning Process Solutions, Advanced Solutions, and Discovery Solutions, plus therapeutic products in oncology, neurology and immunology, fertility, endocrinology, and rare tumors under Healthcare.
Revenue is generated through B2B direct enterprise sales teams, e-commerce (SigmaAldrich.com), strategic co-development alliances, and contract testing/CDMO services such as BioReliance. Pricing is quote-based for enterprise customers, with revenue mix spread across hardware sales of specialty materials, licensing of software platforms, and recurring CDMO/testing services. Distribution is managed through three subsidiary brands — MilliporeSigma, EMD Serono, and EMD Electronics — supported by 50+ manufacturing and testing sites and dedicated alliance managers for strategic accounts.
EMD Performance Materials firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EMD Performance Materials
- Legal name
- Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
- Website
- https://emdgroup.com
- Company type
- Public
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- EMD Performance Materials is the North American high-tech materials subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, supplying semiconductor, display, and specialty chemical materials — including OLED materials, liquid crystals, thin films, and specialty gases — to electronics, pharmaceutical, and research customers across 65 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EMD Performance Materials industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electronic and Specialty Materials
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (3344)
- SIC
- Electronic Components & Accessories (3670), Electronic Components, Nec (3679)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Epitaxy Materials & Services (Epi Wafers/MBE/MOCVD) (HDAHAGAC)
Keywords
Where EMD Performance Materials is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Darmstadt
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices12 records
Markets served
EMD Performance Materials business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Life Science Products and Services: Sale of research tools, process solutions, and manufacturing products to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Portfolio includes over 300,000 products for discovery, development, and manufacturing of biologics and novel modalities.
- Healthcare Medicines and Therapies: Sale of prescription medicines across therapeutic areas including oncology, neurology & immunology, fertility, endocrinology, and rare tumors. Includes drug delivery devices and digital health solutions.
- Electronics Materials and Solutions: Sale of specialty materials including thin films, specialty gases, formulations for semiconductor manufacturing, liquid crystals for displays, and metrology solutions.
- Contract Testing and CDMO Services: Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services through BioReliance for biosafety testing, end-to-end testing services, and manufacturing support for biologics.
- Sustainability and ESG Services: Sustainable products and solutions including bio-based solvents, circular economy approaches, and green chemistry alternatives.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
EMD Performance Materials product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EMD Performance Materials is the North America high-tech materials business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. It manufactures and supplies specialty materials for the electronics industry, including OLED materials (liquid crystals), thin films, specialty gases, semiconductor formulations, optronics, metrology and inspection systems, and delivery systems and services. It also supplies custom innovation services through the Intermolecular brand for semiconductor applications.
Product overview
EMD Performance Materials operates under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (branded as EMD in the US and Canada), organized into three distinct business sectors: Life Science (marketed as MilliporeSigma), Healthcare (marketed as EMD Serono), and Electronics (marketed as EMD Electronics). Life Science encompasses Process Solutions, Advanced Solutions, and Discovery Solutions offering over 300,000 products for research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, including Milli-Q® lab water systems, Bio4C™ Software Suite, and M Lab™ Collaboration Centers. Healthcare focuses on oncology, neurology & immunology, fertility, endocrinology, and rare tumors with pharmaceutical products and digital health solutions. Electronics provides semiconductor materials including Thin Films, Optronics, Formulations, Metrology & Inspection, Delivery Systems & Services, Specialty Gases, and the Intermolecular® custom innovation brand. With over 62,000 employees across 65 countries and more than 50 manufacturing sites, the company serves customers from research through commercial manufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Thin Films Semiconductor thin film materials and technologies for electronics applications, supplying deposition materials used in chip fabrication.
- Optronics Optronics technologies including liquid crystals for modern displays and specialty pigments used in display manufacturing.
- Formulations Semiconductor formulations solutions used in electronics manufacturing, including patterning and cleaning formulations.
- Metrology and Inspection Metrology and inspection technologies for semiconductor manufacturing quality control, enabling measurement and yield improvement.
- Delivery Systems & Services (DS&S) Delivery systems and services supporting semiconductor manufacturing processes, including equipment integration and chemical delivery.
- Specialty Gases Specialty gases for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing applications.
- Intermolecular Custom innovation solutions for semiconductor applications through the Intermolecular brand, providing materials development and testing services.
Quantifiable outcome
- 184 million people treated with Healthcare products (2024)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use EMD Performance Materials
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
EMD Performance Materials technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature11 records
EMD Performance Materials partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- LenovomajorCollaboration to successfully launch a state-of-the-art high-performance computer in Munich, Germany. Combines Lenovo's computing infrastructure with company's expertise in science and technology applications.
- EquinixmajorCollaboration to successfully launch a state-of-the-art high-performance computer in Munich, Germany. Provides data center infrastructure for high-performance computing capabilities.
- Technical University (TU) of DarmstadtcoreStrategic collaboration for open innovation research and sustainability initiatives. Leverages academic expertise and company resources for joint research projects.
- UN Global CompactcoreCompany is a participant committing to ten principles based on UN conventions regarding human rights, labor standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption.
- Responsible Care InitiativecoreSignatory to chemical industry initiative adopting binding standards for product responsibility, environmental protection, health and safety.
- Together for Sustainability (TfS)coreInitiative to systematically assess and improve sustainability sourcing practices across global supply chain.
- Chemie3minorGerman chemical industry alliance aiming to make sustainability a core part of the industry's guiding principles.
- Kigali Declaration on NTDscoreMulti-stakeholder partnership committed to attaining WHO 2030 NTD roadmap for neglected tropical diseases including schistosomiasis.
- Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)coreCompany joined SBTi meeting requirements of Paris Agreement for climate action targets.
- Innovation Cup ParticipantsminorYoung scientists from around the world participate in annual competition to present research projects and collaborate with company researchers.
- Deutsche PhilharmonieminorCompany's philharmonic orchestra serving as musical ambassador and cultural engagement platform, touring internationally and giving benefit concerts.
- Rhine-Main Region EcosystemminorPartnership with market-leading companies, excellent universities, and ambitious start-ups in the Rhine-Main region for innovation network development.
- FTSE RussellminorCompany included in FTSE4Good sustainability index since 2008, assessed on ESG practices.
- Access to Medicine FoundationminorCompany assessed and ranked in Access to Medicine Index for performance in R&D and access to medicine initiatives.
- CDPminorCompany participates in CDP climate and water disclosure programs, receiving scores of A- in both categories.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
EMD Performance Materials competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Entegris: US-based provider of specialty materials, fluid handling, and contamination control for semiconductor and life science manufacturers. Entegris directly overlaps with EMD's semiconductor materials, specialty gases, and bioprocessing filtration offerings, serving the same fab customers.
- JSR Corporation: Japanese specialty materials company with leading positions in photoresists, semiconductor materials, and display materials (including LCD and OLED). JSR's Life Sciences and Electronic Materials divisions compete directly with EMD's semiconductor chemistry and display materials portfolio.
- Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK): Leading Japanese manufacturer of photoresists, advanced packaging materials, and semiconductor process chemicals. TOK directly competes with EMD's formulations and thin films business across lithography and deposition chemistry used in chip fabrication.
- Fujifilm Electronic Materials: Division of Fujifilm producing photoresists, CMP slurries, and specialty chemicals for semiconductor manufacturing. Competes directly with EMD's formulations and thin films business across front-end and back-end semiconductor processes.
- Shin-Etsu Chemical: Japan's largest semiconductor materials supplier and global leader in silicon wafers, photoresists, and rare-earth magnets. Shin-Etsu is the most direct competitor to EMD Performance Materials in specialty materials for semiconductor manufacturing, with overlapping customer base across leading-edge fabs.
Broad incumbents
- DuPont: US-based diversified specialty materials company with Electronics & Industrial segment producing photoresists, display materials, and semiconductor chemistry. DuPont directly competes in semiconductor materials but as part of a much broader water, protection, and healthcare portfolio.
- Sumitomo Chemical: Major Japanese diversified chemical company with significant positions in display materials (polarizers, OLED), semiconductor materials, and specialty polymers. Overlaps with EMD's display materials and specialty chemistry offerings within a much broader petrochemicals and agrichemicals portfolio.
- BASF: World's largest chemical company with a broad specialty chemicals portfolio including electronic materials, catalysts, and performance chemicals. Competes with EMD in industrial chemistry but does not specialize in semiconductor materials like EMD's Electronics business does.
Regional players
- Wacker Chemie: German specialty chemicals company producing silicones, polysilicon for semiconductors, and specialty polymers. Wacker shares EMD's German industrial base and competes in semiconductor-grade polysilicon and specialty chemistry, though it does not offer the full breadth of EMD's electronics materials portfolio.
Emerging players
- Avantor: US-based supplier of laboratory products, specialty chemicals, and bioprocessing solutions for life sciences customers. Avantor is a smaller, more focused player that competes with EMD's MilliporeSigma Life Science business in research reagents and bioprocessing materials.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EMD Performance Materials social profiles
Digital presenceEMD Performance Materials compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
EMD Performance Materials financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EMD Performance Materials leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
EMD Performance Materials subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
EMD Performance Materials funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EMD Performance Materials M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EMD Performance Materials
What does EMD Performance Materials do?
EMD Performance Materials is the North America high-tech materials business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. It manufactures and supplies specialty materials for the electronics industry, including OLED materials (liquid crystals), thin films, specialty gases, semiconductor formulations, optronics, metrology and inspection systems, and delivery systems and services. It also supplies custom innovation services through the Intermolecular brand for semiconductor applications.
Is EMD Performance Materials a public or private company?
EMD Performance Materials is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was EMD Performance Materials founded?
EMD Performance Materials was founded in -1. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is EMD Performance Materials based?
EMD Performance Materials is headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does EMD Performance Materials make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Life Science Products and Services are the primary driver. The others are healthcare Medicines and Therapies, electronics Materials and Solutions, contract Testing and CDMO Services and sustainability and ESG Services.
Who are EMD Performance Materials's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Entegris, JSR Corporation, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK), Fujifilm Electronic Materials and Shin-Etsu Chemical. Broad incumbents are DuPont, Sumitomo Chemical and BASF. Wacker Chemie is listed as a regional player. Avantor is listed as an emerging player.
Does EMD Performance Materials have an API?
No public API is recorded for EMD Performance Materials.
What industry is EMD Performance Materials in?
EMD Performance Materials's product category is Electronic and Specialty Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAGAC, Epitaxy Materials & Services (Epi Wafers/MBE/MOCVD). Its NAICS code is 33441 and its SIC code is 3670.