Eppendorf breaks ground on RM180.92m Penang plant, first in Southeast Asia
Life sciences company Eppendorf SE has broken ground on a €40 million (RM180.92 million) manufacturing facility at Bandar Cassia Technology Park in Penang, its first in Southeast Asia. The 48,500 sq m site will produce laboratory products from its Centrifuges & Instruments portfolio, with production
PETALING JAYA (Nov 12): Life sciences company Eppendorf SE has broken ground on a €40 million (RM180.92 million) manufacturing facility at Bandar Cassia Technology Park in Penang, its first in Southeast Asia.
The groundbreaking marks the project’s transition into construction following the signing of a lease agreement with Penang Development Corporation (PDC) in July 2026, according to a joint statement by Eppendorf, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and InvestPenang on Thursday (Nov 12).
The approximately 48,500 sq m (522,050 sq ft or 11.98 acres) site is planned to accommodate about 16,000 sq m (172,223 sq ft) of built-up space. The facility will manufacture selected laboratory products from the company’s Centrifuges & Instruments portfolio for customers worldwide.
Building completion and the installation and move-in of production equipment are targeted by the end of 2027. Production is expected to begin gradually in 2028, with about 130 employees anticipated by the end of 2029. The development will bring together production, warehousing, offices, quality-related functions, shipping and logistics areas, and employee facilities.
Production is planned to increase in phases through 2030, with individual product lines undergoing qualification before entering operation. Once operational, the facility will form part of Eppendorf’s global manufacturing and quality framework.
Eppendorf CEO Dr Christine Munz said the project formed part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its innovative capabilities and make its global production capacity more resilient. “This site is a strong commitment to Penang and will be an important new pillar in Eppendorf’s global manufacturing network,” she said. She added that the facility would strengthen the competitiveness and flexibility of its Centrifuges & Instruments business.
Eppendorf is targeting LEED Gold certification for the development. Planned sustainability features include energy-efficient building systems, solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and water-retention systems. Landscaping and recreational elements are also planned. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the project would support the state’s efforts to diversify into high-value industries, including scientific and measuring equipment.
MIDA CEO Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said the investment aligned with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and would support skilled employment, supplier development and Malaysia’s integration into global value chains. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Chow, Eppendorf Supervisory Board chairman Philipp von Loeper, Munz and representatives from MIDA, InvestPenang, PDC and project partners.
Eppendorf has been present in Malaysia since establishing its Kuala Lumpur office in 1995. The Penang investment extends its commercial and administrative presence into manufacturing, adding a Southeast Asian facility to a production network historically centred in Europe and the United States, according to the statement.
