The Life Science division of Merck, announced the completed acquisition of the German business once all relevant authorities approved the sale of Biotest's worldwide Microbiological Monitoring business activities.
This consists of the product portfolio of Hycon (hygiene monitoring, based in Dreieich) and the product portfolio of heipha Dr. Müller GmbH (microbiological culture media and microbiological test systems, based in Eppelheim, Germany).
"With the microbiology business of Biotest we acquire a business with a motivated, customer-oriented workforce, unique know-how and state-of-the-art production facilities in a strongly growing segment," said Klaus Bischoff, head of the Lab Solutions business unit within Merck Millipore.
"I am excited that we could close the deal in such a short time and I warmly welcome each of the 300 new colleagues."
Add to existing portfolio
The acquired businesses will add to Merck Millipore's existing dehydrated cell-culture media and testing systems, the so called "ready-to-use" culture media and instruments.
The products are primarily used in the personal care, as well as pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries.
The acquisition allows the Merck Millipore division to complement its product portfolio in the growth segment industrial microbiology for contamination detection.
The acquired activities will be integrated into Merck Millipore's Lab Solutions business unit.
"Through this acquisition we expand our portfolio and there are also many synergies in production, product and market development and - important to both companies - customer collaboration," said Roland Heinrich, head of Merck Millipore's Biomonitoring business.
"In addition to Ready-to-Use media, it will also add particle counting and strengthen air monitoring in our hygiene monitoring portfolio."