Local Supply Chains Key to India's Semiconductor Ambitions
Merck Electronics CEO Benjamin Hein stressed the importance of local supply chains for India's semiconductor push. Speaking at Semicon India 2026, he noted that semiconductor manufacturing requires precise and reliable supplies of specialty chemicals and gases.
The industry relies on hundreds of specialty chemicals and dozens of gases, many with purity levels exceeding 99.999 per cent. This precision is critical to chip yields and performance. Hein highlighted the need for integrated workflows spanning materials, metrology, and data integration in semiconductor progress.
Merck aims to contribute to India's semiconductor build-out through its expertise in materials handling and systems used in fab construction. The company has over 30 years of experience in this area and operates across electronics, healthcare, and life science businesses.
India is evolving from being a major semiconductor consumer and chip-design hub towards becoming a broader manufacturing ecosystem, according to Hein. Localized supply chains will be essential as the country expands its semiconductor capabilities.