Click here to view more photos

• Groundbreaking marks the start of  Eppendorf’s first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia.
• The new production site will be an important pillar in Eppendorf’s global manufacturing network featuring a modern, integrated facility for the production of selected Centrifuges & Instruments products.
• Approximately 16,000 square meters of built-up space planned at Bandar Cassia Technology Park.

Penang, November 12, 2026 – The globally active life science company Eppendorf SE celebrated the groundbreaking for its new production facility at Bandar Cassia Technology Park in Penang, Malaysia. The ceremony marked the project’s transition into the construction phase, following the signing of its lease agreement with Penang Development Corporation in July 2026.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Chow Kon Yeow; Mr Philipp von Loeper, Chairman of Eppendorf’s Supervisory Board; Dr. Christine Munz, CEO of Eppendorf and representatives from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), InvestPenang, Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and project partners.

The EUR 40 million project will establish Eppendorf’s first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia, extending its global production network and adding advanced manufacturing capability to its established Malaysian presence. The future site will produce selected modern, innovative laboratory products from Eppendorf’s Centrifuges & Instruments portfolio for laboratories and scientific workplaces worldwide. Production is expected to ramp up gradually in 2028, with around 130 employees anticipated by the end of 2029.

The Right Honourable Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, said “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks the transition from planning to construction, bringing us one step closer to welcoming Eppendorf’s first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia to Penang. This development is particularly meaningful as it brings another globally recognised player in the life sciences industry into Penang’s manufacturing landscape. It also reinforces our efforts to diversify into high-value industries such as Scientific and Measuring Equipment, and  strengthen Penang’s high-value industrial ecosystem.”

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of MIDA said: “Eppendorf’s investment reflects Malaysia’s growing position as a competitive destination for high-value, technology-driven manufacturing. Aligned with the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, the new Penang facility will strengthen the country’s life sciences and medical technology ecosystem while supporting skilled jobs, supplier development and deeper integration into global value chains. MIDA remains committed to working with Eppendorf and our partners in Penang throughout the implementation and the project’s progress towards production.”

A modern facility built for quality and future growth
The approximately 48,500 square-metre site is planned to have a total built-up area of around 16,000 square metres. It will bring together production, warehousing, offices, quality-related functions, shipping and logistics areas, and employee facilities in a modern, integrated manufacturing environment. Once operational, the Penang site is part of the global manufacturing and quality framework, with the same expectations for quality, process reliability, compliance and operational excellence as its established production sites. 

“Today’s groundbreaking is further evidence of the consistent implementation of Eppendorf’s corporate strategy, through which the company continues to strengthen its innovative capabilities and make its global production capacity more resilient,” said Dr. Christine Munz, CEO of the Eppendorf Group. “This site is a strong commitment to Penang and will be an important new pillar in Eppendorf’s global manufacturing network. It will strengthen the competitiveness and flexibility of our Centrifuges & Instruments business. We are grateful for the trust and excellent cooperation of the State of Penang, MIDA, InvestPenang, PDC, JVG Bina Sdn Bhd. and all partners supporting this project. Together, we are laying the foundation for a high-quality manufacturing operation that combines global Eppendorf standards with the capabilities and talent of Malaysia.”

From groundbreaking to production: a phased, sustainable path
The official groundbreaking marks a key milestone in the construction programme. The project currently targets building completion and the installation and move-in of production equipment by end of 2027. Production is expected to begin gradually in 2028, with a structured ramp-up planned through 2030. Individual product lines will be qualified and brought into operation step by step to support quality, operational stability and continuity of supply.

Sustainability is being incorporated into both the design and future operation of the site as well. Eppendorf is aiming for LEED Gold certification and is planning energy-efficient building systems together with measures such as solar photovoltaic panels, electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and water-retention systems. Landscaping, wellbeing and recreational elements are also intended to contribute to a high-quality working environment.

Strengthening Malaysia’s role in Eppendorf’s global network
Eppendorf has been present in Malaysia for more than three decades, beginning with its Kuala Lumpur office in 1995. The Penang investment extends this established commercial and administrative presence into manufacturing and adds a strategically located Southeast Asian pillar to a production footprint that has historically been centred in Europe and the United States.

As Eppendorf’s first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia and its latest greenfield operation in more than 50 years, the site represents a long-term commitment to Malaysia, the region’s talent and industrial capabilities. It will connect local and regional expertise with Eppendorf’s global processes and quality standards, creating a future-ready manufacturing platform that supports Asia and customers worldwide.

END

About MIDA
MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices.

MIDA partners with investors at every stage of their journey, supporting sustainable growth and long-term value creation for Malaysia.

For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my/ and follow MIDA on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.

About InvestPenang
InvestPenang is the Penang State Government’s principal agency for the promotion of investment. Its objectives are to develop and sustain Penang’s economy by enhancing and continuously supporting business activities in the State through foreign and local investments, including spawning viable new growth centers. To realise its objectives, InvestPenang also runs initiatives like the SMART Penang Center (providing assistance to SMEs), Penang CAT Center (for talent attraction and retention), Global Business Services (GBS) Focus Group (promoting and developing digital economy), Penang Silicon Design @5km+ (establishing a unique and interconnected ecosystem for IC design and technology enterprises), and Malaysia ATE Campus in Penang (accelerating the co‑development, qualification, and scaling of Malaysian ATE solutions by enabling first-customer deployment). For more information, please visit https://investpenang.gov.my/ and follow InvestPenang’s social media channels: Facebook; LinkedIn; WhatsApp Channel and TikTok.

About the Eppendorf Group
Eppendorf is a leading international life science company that develops, manufactures, and distributes instruments, consumables, and services for use in laboratories around the world. 

The product portfolio of the business units Liquid Handling, Consumables, Automated Liquid Handling, Separation & Instrumentation and Bioprocess includes, for example pipettes, pipette tips, centrifuges, mixers, ultra-freezers and bioreactors for cell and gene research. In addition, Eppendorf offers a wide range of high-quality consumables. In fiscal year 2025, the Eppendorf Group recorded consolidated revenue of €924 million and invested €60.9 million in research and development (R&D). 

Eppendorf products are used in academic or industrial research laboratories, such as pharmaceutical, biotech, chemical, and food industries, as well as clinical, environmental, forensic, and industrial laboratories for process analysis, production, and quality assurance. 

Since 1945, the Eppendorf Group has been headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, and today operates production and R&D sites in Europe, Asia and North America and has subsidiaries in 30 countries. The Group employs more than 4,000 people worldwide. They all act in accordance with the purpose of the company’s founders: to improve human living conditions.

For media queries, please contact:

MIDA
Ms. Azlina Hamdan
Director, Life Sciences & Medical Technology Division
azlina@mida.gov.my
T: +603-2267 3791

InvestPenang
Elaine Cheah / Ong Yih Hwa
elaine@investpenang.gov.my / yihhwa@investpenang.gov.my
T: +604 646 8833

Eppendorf
Dr. Ralph Esper
Vice President Corporate Communications
esper.r@eppendorf.de
T: +49 170 7980778