Merck in Cork to double production of key Covid test component

€36m investment will see creation of new jobs with Covid testing expected to continue long into the future

The new machine at Carrigtwohill's Merck facility that will double its capacity to produce its lateral flow membrane product which forms a key part in Covid-19 test kits.

A €36m investment by Merck in its facility in Carrigtwohill, Cork will allow the life science company to double the production of a key component in Covid-19 rapid diagnostic kits.

The facility in Cork which employs more than 750 people is considered a global centre of excellence for the production of membrane products that are essential for a range of diagnostic and test kits. Merck's lateral flow membrane product was already in strong demand prior to the pandemic and was common in a range of devices including home pregnancy test kits.