Eppendorf leases 11.82-acre Bandar Cassia site for first Southeast Asian plant
German life sciences firm Eppendorf SE has leased an 11.82-acre site at Bandar Cassia Technology Park in Penang from the Penang Development Corporation for 60 years. The company plans to invest about €40 million (RM186 million) in a greenfield facility, with production expected to start gradually in
PETALING JAYA (Sept 2): German life sciences company Eppendorf SE has leased an approximately 11.82-acre site at Bandar Cassia Technology Park (BCTP) in Batu Kawan, Penang, from Penang Development Corporation (PDC) for 60 years to develop its first manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia.
InvestPenang confirmed in a written response to EdgeProp that the site, identified as Plot 340A along Jalan Teknologi 3, is being leased directly to Eppendorf. The lease consideration was not disclosed.
Eppendorf plans to invest about €40 million (approximately RM186 million) in the greenfield facility. Construction is currently expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with production slated to start gradually in 2028. The plant is projected to employ around 130 people by the end of 2029.
The planned facility will have an estimated built-up area of about 172,200 sq ft (16,000 sq m) and will comprise manufacturing operations, warehousing, offices and supporting functional areas. Appointments of consultants and contractors are still in progress, according to PDC.
PDC said BCTP was planned and developed to attract high-value, technology-driven manufacturing investments that complement Penang's industrial ecosystem. The corporation cited Penang's manufacturing capabilities, talent base, infrastructure and growth potential among the factors behind Eppendorf's decision to locate in Bandar Cassia. According to PDC, Penang recorded RM187 billion in exports of professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus between 2021 and 2025, representing an average 72% of Malaysia's total exports in the category over the period.
Plot 340A is being developed with flexibility for future expansion, according to PDC. The greenfield set-up could accommodate a potential second phase comprising additional production and warehousing capacity, as well as further expansion of office space, if required. For now, Eppendorf does not expect to manufacture product lines beyond those already announced for the Penang plant — selected centrifuges, mixers and cyclers from its Centrifuges & Instruments portfolio.
Eppendorf is aiming for LEED Gold certification for the Penang facility, which is being designed in line with recognised green-building standards, supported by a sustainable architectural concept and energy-efficient building systems. The development adds another technology-driven manufacturer to BCTP and illustrates PDC's strategy of retaining ownership of industrial land while leasing sites to manufacturers establishing operations in Penang.
