German global chemical and bio company Merck has officially launched its bio raw materials production facility in Daejeon, investing approximately 450 billion won. This facility aims to establish a production and export hub targeting the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to a stable supply of raw materials necessary for biopharmaceutical production.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Merck Life Science held an opening ceremony for the 'Merck Asia-Pacific Bioprocessing Production Center' on October 29 at the Daejeon International Science Business Belt in the Dungok area. This production center is the largest facility Merck has invested in within the life sciences sector in the Asia-Pacific region.
The investment amounts to 300 million euros (approximately 450 billion won), with plans to employ around 300 people at the facility by 2028.
The center will produce essential raw materials such as cell culture media and process liquids required for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The products will be supplied to domestic bio companies and exported to the Asia-Pacific region. Biopharmaceuticals require various raw materials from cell culture to purification and final product manufacturing. Notably, cell culture media are critical to the stability of production processes, and securing domestic production facilities can help mitigate procurement risks associated with reliance on overseas supply chains.
Merck officially announced its investment plan for the production center in March 2024. The disclosed plan included the construction of production facilities, a distribution center, and an automated warehouse on a site of approximately 43,000 square meters. Following a groundbreaking ceremony in May of the same year, the production hub is now operational.
This investment also exemplifies collaboration between the government and local authorities to attract foreign investment. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Daejeon Metropolitan City, and Merck signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for investment cooperation in May 2023. Since then, they have continued to collaborate on site selection, permitting, and resolving corporate challenges.
Founded in 1668, Merck operates globally in the life sciences, healthcare, and electronic materials sectors. The company entered South Korea in 1989 and currently employs over 1,900 people in the country. In the bio sector, it has supported domestic bio companies with process development, technical assistance, and small-scale raw material production through its M Lab collaboration center and life sciences operations headquarters located in Songdo, Incheon. The launch of the Daejeon production center marks an expansion of its domestic business operations.
Park Jeong-seong, head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated at the opening ceremony, "This investment will broaden the horizons of economic cooperation between South Korea and Germany, and we will support Merck in advancing its bio business centered in Korea."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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