Merck to Close on Sigma-Aldrich in Q4

German chemicals and pharmaceuticals producer Merck KGaA said this week it now expects to close its € 13.1 billion acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich some time during the fourth quarter following the sale of certain of the US company’s solvents and inorganics assets.

Merck said it has obtained all necessary antitrust approvals, and negotiations with potential buyers of the assets the European Commission has mandated Sigma-Aldrich shed are in the final stages. However, the EC will require time to approve the buyers.

At the end of August, after completing its financing package for the acquisition with the placement of a € 2.1 billion bond, the Darmstadt-based company said it hoped to close the transaction in the third quarter.

“We are diligently working on fulfilling the EU commitments,” said Bernd Reckmann, member of the Merck KGaA executive board and CEO Life Science. He said the company has been “making very good progress” and is looking forward to swiftly integrating Sigma-Aldrich.

The deal announced in September 2018 is part of Merck’s “Fit for 2018” transformation and growth program.

Virtual Event

Digitalization in the Chemical Industry
CHEManager Spotlight

Digitalization in the Chemical Industry

Save the Date: October 22, 2025
The event will be promoted to a combined audience of over 100,000 professionals across Europe through the CHEManager and CITplus networks.

Free Expert Insights

Dual‑Targeting Breakthroughs
Advancements in Bispecific Antibody Development

Dual‑Targeting Breakthroughs

Unlock the latest breakthroughs in bispecific antibody development! Download Wiley’s free Expert Insights eBook to explore cutting-edge dual-targeting strategies, advanced purification methods, and bioanalytical technologies transforming immunotherapy and cancer treatment.

most read

Photo
28.07.2025 • NewsChemistry

VCI Welcomes US-EU Customs Deal

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the fact that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and US President Donald Trump have averted the danger of a trade war for the time being.