German science and technology company Merck has launched a new filter manufacturing facility in Blarney Business Park, Cork, Ireland.

First announced in May 2022, the new Blarney facility is part of Merck’s $464m (€440m) investment plan in Ireland. Together with the nearby Carrigtwohill site, the company aims to expand membrane and filtration manufacturing capabilities in the country.

With an investment of nearly $177m (€150m), it will generate more than 200 new jobs by 2028. Spanning 3,000sqm, the facility will address the global demand for critical filtration products used in vaccines and therapies. Additionally, Merck aims to minimise cross-border reliance for its customers by localising these capabilities in Europe.

Merck’s new site will manufacture filtration devices used in aseptic processing, tangential-flow filtration and virus filtration. It is essential for controlling bioburden, streamlining purification, and ensuring the safety and purity of vaccines and therapeutics.

Merck’s new facility is designed for full climate-neutral operations. It will operate completely on renewable energy and an advanced heat recovery system. Additionally, it will recycle up to 95% of high-purity reverse osmosis water from its filtration manufacturing.

Jean-Charles Wirth, member of the executive board of Merck and CEO of Life Science, called Ireland a leading hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation.

“By expanding manufacturing in Cork, we reinforce our in-region-for-region manufacturing and supply model. This reduces cross-border risks and provides manufacturers with reliable access to critical filtration technologies to deliver life-changing therapies”, he added.