Merck Partners with Topco Scientific Co. to Increase Greener Manufacturing Materials Usage

News Release

Taipei, Taiwan, May 4, 2021 — Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced a partnership with Topco Scientific Co. (TSC), a leading semiconductor supplier in Taiwan, to increase the use of more sustainable materials for the electronics industry.

TSC will promote the biorenewable Cyrene™ solvent and ECOSURF™ and TERGITOL™ biodegradable greener surfactants from Merck’s portfolio to facilitate the green manufacturing transformation of the electronics industry in Taiwan. The partnership aims to increase workplace safety and decrease environmental impact and waste disposal, without compromising material quality.

“At Merck, scientific progress and responsible entrepreneurship go hand in hand, enabling us to create a sustainable future for everyone,” said Wesley Chen, general manager, Life Science, at Merck in Taiwan. “TSC’s extensive experience in green technology, combined with Merck’s success in developing industry-leading alternatives, will contribute to a greener electronics industry.”

Merck offers more than 1,100 greener alternative products to help customers reduce the environmental impact of their work—including more than 600 products that demonstrate one or more characteristics that align with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. Products under Merck’s 12 Principles Aligned category lower toxicity and waste, reduce energy consumption, or are biorenewable or biodegradable. These activities support the company’s commitment to integrate sustainability into all value chains by 2030, as outlined in its sustainability strategy.

In 2019, Merck added to its portfolio Cyrene™ solvent, a novel bio-based solvent with a lower toxicity rate than traditional fossil fuel-based solvents. In addition, the Merck solvent’s manufacturing process requires significantly less resource consumption, with 99 percent of the solvent decomposing into carbon dioxide and water after 28 days. Compared with traditional fossil-derived solvents — such as Dimethylformamide and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, which are under increasing regulatory restrictions due to their toxicity — Cyrene™ solvent is distinctly safer and more sustainable and yields superior performance in some applications.

Merck’s portfolio also includes ECOSURF™ and TERGITOL™ biodegradable surfactants, which do not contain octylphenol ethoxylates or nonylphenol ethoxylates toxins and fully comply with the European Chemicals Agency’s REACH Regulations. More than 60 percent of biodegradable surfactants decompose in about 28 days. These products also decompose into environmentally friendly components, and its manufacturing process furthermore critically reduces water pollution.

“TSC has been deeply involved in the semiconductor industry for more than 30 years, providing customers with the best products and technologies. As green energy and sustainability become increasingly important, environmentally friendly materials and technology are at the forefront of TSC’s mission,” said Lee Zheng-Rong (李正榮), CEO of TSC. “Through this partnership, we hope to provide our customers with brand-new green options that are both high-quality and protect the sustainability of our environment.”

About the Corporate Responsibility Efforts of the Life Science Business of Merck

Through its Corporate Responsibility initiatives, the Life Science business of Merck harnesses the collective expertise, passion and energy of employees to minimize its environmental footprint and positively impact communities around the world. The Life Science business of Merck is uniquely positioned to solve the toughest problems in life science through its efforts aligned with strengths in research, innovation and collaboration with the global scientific community. This helps differentiate its business and provides a competitive edge for its customers, while accelerating access to health for people everywhere. The Life Science business of Merck demonstrates its commitment to Corporate Responsibility through extensive programs in three main areas: Greener Products and Solutions — which includes Design for Sustainability, Green Chemistry, Packaging and Recycling initiatives; Employee and Community Engagement and Sustainable Operations.