Merck strengthens its materials business for the semiconductor industry with an acquisition.

Merck intends to acquire the French company Unity-SC, a provider of measurement technology and test equipment for semiconductor production. The acquisition will initially cost the DAX-listed company 155 million euros, with performance-related milestone payments also due, as the Darmstadt-based pharmaceutical and technology group announced on Thursday. Unity-SC has around 160 employees, 70 of whom work in research and development. According to Merck, Unity-SC is one of the few companies that can offer optical 3D solutions for the measurement and control of compounds in large-scale production. Merck expects the deal to be completed by the end of the year.

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