Merck Agrees Sale of Chemische Fabrik Lehrte

German chemical and pharmaceutical producer Merck has agreed to sell the laboratory equipment and production units of Chemische Fabrik Lehrte to compatriot Schüssler Novachem, a manufacturer of inorganic salts based in Halle/Saale, Germany.

Details of the transaction are not being disclosed. Schüssler had already acquired the land and buildings in Lehrte from the real estate arm of German railway Deutsche Bahn Immobilien.

"We are glad to see that Schüssler will continue with their own

chemical production at the Lehrte site," said Bernd Reckmann, CEO Chemicals at Merck. The Darmstadt-based company said in 2012 it would seek a buyer for the fixed assets by 2014.

The relevant businesses are being operated from Darmstadt. The sale is part of Merck's Fit for 2018 efficiency scheme that also supports growth investments across the company's businesses.