German life sciences firm Eppendorf to invest RM186m to build Penang plant

KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): German life sciences company Eppendorf SE will invest €40 million, or about RM186 million, to set up its first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia in Penang.

The facility will manufacture select products including centrifuges, mixers and cyclers used in laboratories for research, diagnostics, production and quality assurance, the company said in a statement. Production is expected to begin gradually in 2028.

Eppendorf is expected to hire about 130 people for the facility by the end of 2029 and more could be hired as operations ramp up.

“We are strengthening our ties with Malaysia, which has been part of our history in the Asia-Pacific region for more than three decades,” said Eppendorf CEO Christine Munz.

Eppendorf, headquartered in Hamburg, manufactures instruments and consumables used in laboratories for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, and food industries.

The company, which recorded revenue of €924 million, has production and research-and-development sites in Europe, Asia and North America. The company has had an office in Kuala Lumpur since 1995, which has morphed into a regional hub for Southeast Asia.

Eppendorf has signed a lease agreement for the site in Bandar Cassia Technology Park, marking the official go-ahead for the construction of the new production site in Penang.

The investment also strengthens Penang’s capabilities in scientific and measuring equipment — a strategic sector supporting the future of advanced manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, said the state’s chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.

“We welcome Eppendorf to explore opportunities with local companies through the Penang ATE Campus in technology development, localisation, supplier development and supply chain strengthening,” he added.

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