Merck launches climate-neutral production facility in Ireland

Merck has opened its first climate-neutral production facility at the Blarney site in Cork, marking a key milestone in its commitment to become fully climate-neutral by 2040. The €150 million plant forms part of a broader €440 million investment program to expand life sciences manufacturing capabilities in Ireland.

The 3,000m² cleanroom facility will produce filtration products essential for vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and advanced therapies such as cell and gene therapies. By increasing in-region manufacturing, Merck aims to reduce cross-border dependencies, ensuring reliable access to critical filtration technologies for global customers.

Powered entirely by renewable energy and equipped with an innovative heat recovery system, the plant is expected to save approximately 61 tons of CO₂ equivalents annually. Additionally, up to 95% of high-purity water from the manufacturing process will be reused, reflecting Merck’s sustainability and resource-efficiency goals.

Jean-Charles Wirth, Merck Life Science CEO, emphasised Ireland’s role as a hub for biopharmaceutical innovation and the company’s commitment to regional production for regional markets. Production is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, including aseptic processing, tangential flow filtration, and virus filtration technologies critical for maintaining sterile conditions and drug safety.

The Blarney facility, alongside expansion at Carrigtwohill, represents Merck’s largest investment in its Life Science business sector in Ireland and forms part of a €2 billion global expansion program designed to meet growing demand for advanced therapies across Europe, China, and the U.S.

Explore the full article to see how this investment positions Ireland at the heart of global bioprocessing.