Merck KGaA said Monday that it would invest about 440 million euros ($464.8 million) to expand manufacturing in membrane and filtration, as part of its life-science business, in Ireland.

The German pharmaceuticals and chemicals company said the investment is to increase membrane-manufacturing capacity in Carrigtwohill and to build a new site for filtration manufacture at Blarney Business Park. Both facilities are going to be in Cork.

Matthias Heinzel, chief executive of Merck’s Life Science business, which is one of the company’s growth drivers, said:

Ireland is central to our strategy to drive long-term growth and expand our global leadership position in Life Science.

Membrane production is also set to benefit the company’s Process Solutions business, another key growth driver for Merck, the company said.