Page 153 - CW E-Magazine (25-3-2025)

News from Abroad

EXPANSION
Merck ramps up vaccine production capacity with

new US facility

German pharma and chemicals
major, Merck, has opened a new $1-bn,
225,000-square-foot facility dedicated
to vaccine manufacturing at its Durham,
North Carolina, site in the US.

The company said the Durham
expansion is a part of its $12-bn plus
investment in the US since 2018 focused
on expanding domestic manufacturing
and R&D capabilities and creating new
jobs in the US. Another $8-bn of US
capital investment is expected by 2028.

The development comes amidst the
pressure being put on drugmakers by
US President Donald Trump since taking
office to move medicine production to
the US, and threats of 25% tariff on
pharmaceutical imports. Vice President and President, Merck including data analytics, generative
Manufacturing Division. AI, 3D printing and a training centre
“Expanding our state-of-the-art equipped with a digital twin – a virtu-
manufacturing facility in Durham The state-of-the-art manufacturing al model of the shop floor manufac-
marks a significant milestone in our facility leverages best practices and turing process systems – to accelerate
efforts to strengthen our production and learnings from across the Merck Manu- new employee training and simulate
manufacturing capabilities in the US,” facturing Division network as well as process changes before they are
said Mr. Sanat Chattopadhyay, Executive new technical and digital capabilities implemented.

AI-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS
Schneider Electric opens Energy Innovation Centre

in Houston

Schneider Electric, a leading player period – to support customers with
in the digital transformation of energy growing digitalisation, automation,
management and automation, has and manufacturing demand.
launched its new 10,500-square-feet
Innovation Centre in Houston (US). Schneider Electric said it is seeing
strong customer demand in the US for
The facility is the latest mile- solutions to scale industrial automa-
stone in Schneider Electric’s contin- tion, increase digitalisation, enhance
ued investments in the US – and part energy efficiency, and deliver a more
of Schneider Electric’s previously resilient grid.
announced €2-bn incremental capa-
city investment for the 2024-2027 Strategically situated in Houston’s

Chemical Weekly March 25, 2025 153

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