Germany's Merck Starts Construction of Bio Raw Material Plant in Daejeon... "Expecting Supply Chain Strengthening and Export Increase"

A Total Investment of 430 Billion KRW in Daejeon International Science Business Belt
Scheduled for Completion by the End of 2026
Supply of Essential Raw Materials for Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing to Korean and Asia-Pacific Companies

Germany's Merck is investing 430 billion KRW (300 million euros) to build a core raw material production process for the bio-industry within the Daejeon International Science and Business Belt. This is the largest project Merck has invested in within the Asia-Pacific region.

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The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 29th that Jung In-kyo, the head of trade negotiations, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the bio-process raw material production plant that Merck is constructing within the Daejeon International Science and Business Belt.

Founded in 1668, Merck is a global leading company that has driven innovation for over 350 years in healthcare, life sciences, and the electronics industry (with total sales of 21 billion euros in 2023). Since entering Korea in 1989, it currently operates a total of 13 production and research facilities in Pyeongtaek, Anseong, Incheon, and other locations, employing a total of 1,730 people.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Daejeon City, and Merck signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation on investment in bio-process raw material production facilities in May last year. According to the ministry, starting from 2026 when the plant is completed, Merck plans to supply essential raw materials used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes, such as dry powder cell culture media, to domestic demand companies as well as biopharmaceutical manufacturers located in the Asia-Pacific region. This is expected to strengthen Korea's raw material supply chain and boost exports to countries such as China and Singapore. Additionally, more than 300 new jobs will be created in the Daejeon area.

In his congratulatory speech, Head Jung said, "Merck's investment is expected to contribute not only to securing a stable domestic supply chain for bio-process raw materials and expanding exports but also to revitalizing the regional economy by creating quality jobs in Daejeon, a non-capital region." He added, "The government will continue to create an excellent investment environment so that more global advanced companies, including Merck, can invest."