Sector

Integrated Design & Delivery of a Semiconductor Cleanroom

Merit was appointed as Principal Contractor to deliver the complete design and construction of a highly specialised semiconductor manufacturing facility, comprising a 4,000m² ISO Class 100 cleanroom, an 800m² Class 1,000 gowning, laboratory and product storage area, and the fit-out of a 2,000m² two-storey support building.

Providing a fully integrated design and build solution, Merit was responsible for the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and process engineering design, together with cleanroom validation planning, layout development and the complete tool move-in process.

The cleanroom incorporated a 1m raised access floor, automated guided vehicle (AGV) product transfer, walk-on ceiling, H14 HEPA filtration delivering approximately 80 air changes per hour and specialist process utilities including ultra-high vacuum, clean compressed air, specialist gases, wastewater treatment, chilled water, BMS and process cooling systems. Merit also delivered the site's high-voltage power infrastructure, including transformers, packaged substations and electrical distribution.

Working alongside a German engineering consultancy to satisfy local planning, building control and TÜV requirements, Merit coordinated an extensive European supply chain while undertaking all critical cleanroom construction and process installations using its own in-house delivery teams. The project was delivered on a fast-track programme, with the facility design evolving alongside the client's developing semiconductor manufacturing process.

Client: Plastic Logic
Location: Dresden
Sector: Semiconductor
Project: Design and Build 4000m2 Semiconductor Cleanroom

Key Features

Integrated Design & Delivery – Principal Contractor providing architectural, structural, MEP, process engineering, cleanroom validation and tool installation under a single contract.
Advanced Cleanroom Engineering – Delivered a 4,000m² ISO Class 100 cleanroom with specialist ventilation, filtration, automated material handling and complex process utility systems.
Specialist Infrastructure – Installed high-voltage electrical infrastructure, packaged substations, process utilities, wastewater treatment and critical building services to support semiconductor manufacturing.
In-House Construction Expertise – Self-delivered critical cleanroom construction and process installations, supported by a specialist European supply chain to maintain programme, quality and contamination control.

Key Outcomes

Successfully delivered a complex semiconductor manufacturing facility while accommodating an evolving client process and equipment strategy.
Enabled concurrent development of the cleanroom design and manufacturing process, supporting accelerated programme delivery without compromising quality.
Delivered a fixed-price, value-engineered solution that optimised performance, flexibility and long-term operational capability.
Demonstrated Merit's capability to design, engineer and construct technically complex cleanroom environments through an integrated, specialist delivery model.