Global material and tech solution giants are demonstrating how their localized operations in China connect with the global AI revolution at the ongoing 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE), as rapid growth in this sector is driving fresh demand across the semiconductor industry, with each link in the supply chain playing a vital role.
Running from November 5 to 10, the expo has drawn nearly every major name in the semiconductor sector -- including Samsung, SK Hynix and AMD -- alongside a wide array of global companies spanning industrial and supply chain segments buoyed by the worldwide AI cause.
The AI race is no longer solely about building faster chips. It has evolved into a test of how materials, manufacturing, memory and computing systems work in concert. Progress proceeds at breakneck pace, but behind every breakthrough lies a supply chain that stretches across borders.
Merck, the German-headquartered science and technology giant, supplies advanced materials for semiconductor manufacturing. According to company executives, Merck has steadily advanced its localization strategy in recent years, deepening its integration into the global AI supply chain in what it calls "intelligent localization."
"For years, we have aspired to become the most localized company in the industry. Our efforts have primarily focused on building our local capabilities," said Sui Yu, managing director of Merck Electronics China.
Precision is another critical piece of the puzzle. German optical systems giant Zeiss provides advanced optics for chipmaking equipment, along with inspection and quality control technologies.
In China, Zeiss's research, manufacturing and industrial quality divisions support local industries while simultaneously functioning as part of the company's wider global network.
"We really value and appreciate all these resources which are available in China with our semiconductor products. We call it 'from chip to rack.' Also the AI service, we make big contributions in quality control for the AI server racks, there's often a cooling challenge, it's very expensive. And if there's a leakage somewhere, so we have metrology applications to help find leaks," said Martin Fischer, president and CEO of Zeiss Greater China.
Greater computing power inevitably generates more heat, and that's the area where U.S. materials science giant Dow plays a pivotal role, offering solutions for chip packaging and thermal management.
Beyond introducing new technologies and products to the Chinese market, Dow has also been strengthening its local innovation and production capabilities. In the past two decades, Dow has invested in new production lines every 12 to 18 months at its manufacturing site in the eastern Chinese city of Zhangjiagang.
"Our cooling science studio focuses on thermal management challenges in high growth sectors such as AI, data centers, EVs (electric vehicles) and autonomous driving. Our Zhangjiagang site is a key manufacturing hub in Asia Pacific and home to China's largest integrated silicone," said Dow Asia Pacific President Puay Koon Chia.
Global AI supply giants boost presence in China to power global development
