본지는 머크의 기자간담회 후 아난드 남비어(Anand Nambiar) CCO를 만나 반도체와 소재 시장의 전망에 대해 들어보았다.
“AI Trends to Drive Semiconductor Industry Recovery in 2024”
“ AI will drive demand for at least 4 years… also impacting R&D and production capacity ”
Considering sustainability… Efforts to find alternatives such as new materials, special gases, and PFAS
[Editor's Note] At a press conference held at Shilla Stay in Samseong-dong on the 2nd, Merck predicted that AI advancements will drive the entire semiconductor market, and that the semiconductor market will grow from the current $500 billion market to a $1 trillion market in 7 to 8 years. It also predicted that the materials market for semiconductor production will grow with the addition of 94 new fabs over the next three years. After Merck's press conference, our magazine met with Anand Nambiar, Senior Vice President, to hear about the outlook for the semiconductor and materials markets.
▲Anand Nambiar, Senior Vice President, Merck
■ The semiconductor industry had a difficult year last year. In the midst of all this, Merck continues to invest in the Korean and global semiconductor industries. I am curious about the semiconductor market outlook and Merck’s investment strategy.
From the perspective of the semiconductor industry, 2023 is a year to forget, if possible.
It was a difficult year for Merck and its customers alike, with their businesses impacted, but fortunately, we are now seeing signs of recovery.
Recovery may be a bit slow in the first half of the year, but we expect it to gain momentum in the second half.
One of the factors driving market recovery and growth is the AI megatrend.
This will increase the demand for wafers, and as the demand for wafers increases, the demand for the materials needed to support them will also continue to increase.
It is expected that the market will experience significant growth over the next three to four years, fueled by the momentum of AI.
Based on this judgment, we will pursue many investments related to R&D and production capacity for global and Korean customers.
■ Recently, the semiconductor material market is in a situation where innovation of existing materials is necessary due to the limitations of ultra-fine technology and the issue of environmental friendliness. I would like to hear your opinion on Merck's case of overcoming technological challenges as a supplier of materials for the entire semiconductor process during this period of technological change and your outlook on the future of the semiconductor materials market.
Merck is a company with 356 years of history.
Moreover, we can confidently say that sustainable business is one of the company's core concepts, so much so that it is engraved in Merck's DNA.
I believe that for a company to survive for 356 years, it is essential to continuously engage in activities that are highly responsible for society and the environment and maintain a philosophy.
Pursuing a business model that can be sustainable over multiple generations has been one of Merck's core concepts, and factors such as climate change are also important issues that must be considered in the semiconductor industry.
In this context, we are continuing our efforts to pursue innovative research and development in materials already in production and new materials, as well as to develop alternatives related to special gases and PFAS.
In the specialty gas sector, efforts are being made to develop new gaseous substances, and in cases such as PFAS, appropriate alternative substances are being sought.
The current situation can be seen as a challenge, but also as a good opportunity to introduce new materials and alternative solutions.
Naturally, customers want highly efficient and low-cost products, and they are looking for products with a solid supply chain and appropriate production processes.
If Merck can come up with a solution, it will be a way to kill two birds with one stone: meet the needs of our customers while contributing to humanity, nature and all ecosystems.
■ Finally e4Please say a word to the readers of ds news.
Korea is now a country that plays a very important role not only in the semiconductor industry but also in the electronics industry as a whole.
Merck is very grateful and pleased to be able to participate as part of this ecosystem and to be able to participate as a partner in this important journey for Korea.
We will also do our best to support key partners such as Samsung and SK Hynix so that they can successfully pursue growth.
So, I am delighted to now be participating in these various market growth activities in Korea, and I hope that Merck will continue to be a good partner for the next 10 years or so.