Merck KGaA Breaks Ground on Facility in China

Merck KGaA's biopharmaceuticals division held the groundbreaking ceremony for its new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Nantong, China, on Aug. 27, 2014. The new facility, which will be the group's second largest pharmaceutical manufacturing facility worldwide, will focus on the bulk production and packaging of Glucophage, Concor, and Euthyrox, the company's brands for the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and thyroid disorders, respectively. These medicines are referenced in China's essential drug list, and Merck KGaA's biopharmaceutical division is the first and only multinational company in China to dedicate a large-scale, green-field investment to the production of drugs on the list, the company said in a press release.

The construction of the site is scheduled for completion in 2016, with commercial production starting in 2017. The site is designed to comply with the highest international standards in terms of quality, environment, health, and safety. The preservation of the environment is a crucial consideration in the facility’s construction. The company notes it plans to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste generation in the course of the manufacturing process.