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

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Merck KGaA announces the completion of the acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich, a St. Louis-based life-sciences and technology company.

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.

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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