Merck is strengthening its position in future-oriented technology markets through targeted investments and strategic portfolio adjustments. The science and technology company is focusing on high-margin areas such as Process Solutions, rare diseases, and semiconductor solutions. Up to 80 percent of future growth is expected to come from these business sectors. Merck confirms its outlook for 2025 and aims for mid-single-digit organic revenue growth in the medium term.
Merck relies on organic and inorganic growth
“We are sharply focused on growth and well-positioned in attractive markets through a combination of organic investments and a string of targeted acquisitions of companies delivering breakthrough solutions. Coupled with our high-performing organization and the ability to execute, our powerful growth drivers and cash-generating businesses will create sustainable value for years to come,” says Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board of Merck.
Life Science: Structural reform for customer-focused growth
Starting January 2026, the Life Science business sector will be organized into three operational segments to align its offerings more closely with customer needs:
- Process Solutions will continue to support manufacturers of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products with solutions integrated into production processes.
- Advanced Solutions will provide specialty products and customized services requiring high-touch sales models.
- Discovery Solutions will offer a fully digital platform for quick access to catalog products in biology and chemistry.
Recent investments and acquisitions, most recently the purchase of the chromatography business of JSR Life Sciences, will further accelerate growth. Life Science targets mid- to high-single-digit organic growth in the medium term.
Healthcare: Merck strengthens portfolio for rare diseases
With the acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics, Merck has expanded its healthcare business to include several newly approved therapies. The new portfolio is further supplemented by drug candidates like Pimicotinib for treating tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT). Merck aims to expand its presence in personalized medicine and expects low- to mid-single-digit organic growth in Healthcare over the medium term.
Electronics: Semiconductor materials powering growth
The Electronics business sector aims for mid- to high-single-digit organic sales growth in the medium term. Semiconductor Materials remains the primary growth engine within the segment. Continued demand driven by artificial intelligence and heterogeneous integration, the process of stacking numerous smaller chips in a compact space to achieve high-performance computing, provides strong momentum.
The recent acquisition of Unity-SC expands Merck's Electronics portfolio with metrology solutions for semiconductor and optoelectronic manufacturing. Metrology and inspection are critical enablers for heterogeneous integration and represent a key growth area within the Optronics business unit. Additionally, the Delivery Systems & Services unit is expected to stabilize in 2026 and return to growth over the medium term.
The transformation of Electronics into a focused pure-play segment, underscored by the divestment of Surface Solutions, positions Merck to fully capitalize on the surge in demand for AI, cloud computing, and advanced semiconductor nodes.
Merck invests consistently in growth regions
Since 2021, Merck has invested over 11.5 billion euros in long-term assets and acquisitions. More than 4.5 billion euros went into strategic acquisitions, while over 7 billion euros were allocated to regional production sites, in the U.S., Korea, Ireland, Taiwan, Switzerland, and more than 1.5 billion euros in its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. Revenues are well-distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Financial strategy: Focused on growth and discipline
Helene von Roeder, Chief Financial Officer of Merck, emphasized: “Targeted capital allocation is at the heart of our strategy. We continue building our leading position in high-growth technologies while maintaining rigorous financial discipline. With significant opportunities to invest, we focus our activities to be at the sweet spot of both growth and cash generation.”
Outlook: Merck maintains stable forecast for 2025
Merck sees itself as strategically well-positioned and confirms its financial forecast for 2025. With growth-driven business units, global diversification, and a disciplined financial approach, the company is laying the foundation for long-term value creation in a dynamic market environment.
