MilliporeSigma Expands Global Manufacturing with €150M Filtration Plant in Ireland

MilliporeSigma, a subsidiary of Germany's Merck KGaA, has unveiled a state-of-the-art filtration products facility in Cork, Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion strategy. The €150 million ($177 million) investment is part of a larger €440 million ($521 million) commitment to bolster operations in Ireland, announced in May 2022.

New Facility to Meet Growing Demand for Biopharmaceutical Filtration

The newly opened 3,000-square-meter clean room facility is designed to support the increasing global demand for filtration devices crucial in the production of vaccines and biologic drugs. These include monoclonal antibodies, cell therapies, and gene therapies – all at the forefront of modern medicine.

Jean-Charles Wirth, MilliporeSigma's chief executive, emphasized the strategic importance of the new plant: "By expanding manufacturing in Cork, we reinforce our in-region-for-region manufacturing and supply model, reducing cross-border risks and providing manufacturers with reliable access to critical filtration technologies they need to deliver life-changing therapies."

The Cork facility is expected to commence operations by the end of the year, creating over 200 new jobs in the region by 2028. This expansion aligns with Merck KGaA's ambitious 2020 Life Science plan, which aims to invest €2 billion ($2.4 billion) in growing its operations globally.

MilliporeSigma's Broader Growth Strategy

The Cork filtration plant is just one piece of MilliporeSigma's extensive growth strategy. In recent years, the company has made significant strides in expanding its manufacturing capabilities across various sectors of the pharmaceutical industry.

In 2024, the company announced a $76 million investment to increase capacity at its antibody-drug conjugate facility in St. Louis. Additionally, MilliporeSigma entered a partnership with South Korean CDMO Lotte Biologics to focus on biopharma manufacturing and acquired Wisconsin-based gene therapy producer Mirus Bio for $600 million.

More recently, in June, MilliporeSigma formed a five-year partnership with Simtra BioPharma Solutions to create a "turnkey offering" for drugmakers seeking ADC manufacturing. These strategic moves demonstrate the company's commitment to strengthening its position in key areas of pharmaceutical production and innovation.