Merck’s management and their Works Council have signed a comprehensive agreement applicable to their Darmstadt site. The aim is to secure the future viability of their headquarters as a central science and technology hub and to further expand it. The agreement is applicable until the end of 2025. Merck will invest a total of € 1 billion until 2025.

The agreement includes the extension of the employment guarantee and commitments on qualification and advanced training, for instance, a new internal job placement office. Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, Weiterstadt, and Gernsheim, all Germany, has about 11,000 employees.

Merck is currently holding talks about the possible construction of a new membrane plant in Darmstadt and plans to construct a new Vocational and Advanced Training Center at the site. Merck currently has more than 500 apprentices in 22 vocational training occupations.

• Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany