Intermolecular
Corporate brand
UnclaimedIntermolecular is a U.S. materials science company specializing in high-throughput R&D platforms for semiconductor and advanced materials, now part of Merck KGaA.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
Intermolecular is a commercial materials science and technology company that provides high-throughput experimentation (HTE) platforms and R&D services to accelerate the discovery and development of advanced materials, primarily for the semiconductor, display, and clean energy industries. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in San Jose, California, the company developed proprietary workflows that combine miniaturized deposition, characterization, and data-driven screening to explore vast compositional spaces far faster than conventional methods. Its customers have included major semiconductor manufacturers and equipment suppliers seeking new thin-film materials, precursors, and process integrations. Intermolecular went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker IMI, funding expansion of its platform and services. In 2019, German science and technology group Merck KGaA acquired Intermolecular, integrating its HTE capabilities into Merck's semiconductor materials business (EMD Electronics). Today, Intermolecular operates as a subsidiary brand within Merck KGaA, continuing to offer high-throughput R&D services and collaborative development programs. The company's work is positioned at the intersection of materials science, automation, and data analytics, helping partners shorten development cycles for next-generation electronic materials.
History
Intermolecular was founded in 2004 in San Jose, California, to commercialize high-throughput experimentation methods for materials science. The company built a platform that combined miniaturized deposition tools, rapid characterization, and informatics to screen thousands of material compositions in parallel, dramatically reducing the time and cost of materials discovery. It attracted partnerships with leading semiconductor and display manufacturers, as well as government research programs. In 2014, Intermolecular completed an initial public offering on NASDAQ under the ticker IMI, raising capital to expand its platform and service offerings. The company continued to invest in its HTE workflows and data analytics capabilities, positioning itself as a key R&D partner for advanced electronic materials. In 2019, Merck KGaA, a leading science and technology company, acquired Intermolecular for approximately $62 million, integrating its high-throughput capabilities into Merck's semiconductor materials business (EMD Electronics). Following the acquisition, Intermolecular operates as a subsidiary, continuing to provide R&D services and collaborative development programs. The acquisition aimed to strengthen Merck's ability to accelerate innovation in semiconductor and display materials.
- 2019
Acquired by Merck KGaA and integrated into EMD Electronics.
- 2014
Initial public offering on NASDAQ under ticker IMI.
- 2004
Intermolecular founded in San Jose, California.
Products and positioning
A technology-driven R&D partner for advanced materials, offering accelerated discovery and development services to semiconductor and electronics manufacturers.
High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE) Platform
Integrated workflows for rapid screening of advanced materials.
Recent events
Merck completes acquisition of Intermolecular[3]
Merck completed its acquisition of Intermolecular, a California-based advanced materials innovation company. Upon closing, approximately 90 Intermolecular employees at its San Jose research and development site became part of Merck’s Performance Materials business sector.
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