Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Announces Completion of Sigma-Aldrich Acquisition

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany announced on Nov. 18, 2015, the completion of their acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich, a St. Louis-based life-science and technology company, according to a press release.

The $17-billion acquisition follows last week’s approval from the European Commission, the final antitrust condition required to close the Sigma-Aldrich transaction. 

The acquisition boosts Merck KGaA to around 50,000 employees in 67 countries worldwide.

In 2014, Merck KGaA’s life sciences division grossed a total of €4.6 billion (approximately $4.89 billion) in sales. With the addition of Sigma-Aldrich, the company expects a total gross of between €12.6 billion (approximately $13.4 billion) and €12.8 billion (approximately $13.61 billion) for 2015.

Merck KGaA announced the acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich in a September 2014 press release, saying this decision would allow them to increase their presence in the North American and Asian markets.

According to the company, the acquisition merged Merck KGaA’s existing life-sciences division, EMD Millipore, with Sigma-Aldrich, now MilliporeSigma.

Merck KGaA has made nearly €38 billion (approximately $40.4 billion) in acquisitions and divestments in the past 10 years, expanding their business in the areas of science, technology, healthcare, and life science. 

Source: Merck KGaA