Yes. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany acquired Sigma-Aldrich in 2015, and the business became part of Merck KGaA’s Life Science business. In the United States and Canada, Merck KGaA uses the name MilliporeSigma for Life Science. Merck KGaA is not the same company as the unaffiliated Merck & Co., Inc.
Who owns Sigma-Aldrich?
Sigma-Aldrich was acquired by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The acquired business became part of the German company’s Life Science business. Merck KGaA’s current naming information describes MilliporeSigma as its Life Science name in the United States and Canada; that regional business name does not mean every Sigma-Aldrich product has the same label, seller, or legal manufacturer worldwide. Merck KGaA’s 2015 annual report and its name and brand information establish the company-level relationship.
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When did Merck acquire Sigma-Aldrich?
On September 22, 2014, Merck KGaA and Sigma-Aldrich announced an agreement under which Merck would acquire Sigma-Aldrich for US$140 per share in cash. Merck KGaA obtained control on November 18, 2015, after shareholder and antitrust approvals. Its 2015 annual report records the purchase price for 100% of shares as US$17.015 billion at the exchange rate on the closing date. These are two different figures: US$140 was the agreed cash price per share, while US$17.015 billion was the reported total share purchase price at closing.
What happened to Sigma-Aldrich’s business and name?
The business joined Merck KGaA’s Life Science operations. In the United States and Canada, Merck KGaA uses MilliporeSigma as the name for Life Science; its 2025 annual general meeting announcement confirms that convention. Sigma-Aldrich remains a product-facing name, but the company-level brand relationship alone does not establish the seller or legal manufacturer of a particular catalog item. Those details can vary and should be checked on the relevant product documentation.
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Is Merck the same company as Merck & Co.?
No. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Merck & Co., Inc. are different, unaffiliated companies. Their use of the Merck name is geographically divided: Merck & Co. holds MERCK trademark rights in the United States and Canada, while Merck KGaA owns the MERCK trademark elsewhere. Merck KGaA uses MilliporeSigma for its Life Science business in the United States and Canada. Merck KGaA’s name and brand page explains the distinction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did regulators require changes to the deal?
Yes. The European Commission’s conditions included divestiture of parts of Sigma-Aldrich’s solvents and inorganics business in Europe, including specified manufacturing assets and brand-related arrangements. Merck KGaA’s 2015 half-year financial report described these conditions while the acquisition was still pending completion.
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