PENANG secured RM2.3bil in approved manufacturing investments in the scientific and measuring equipment sector between 2021 and the first quarter of 2026, accounting for nearly 20% of Malaysia’s total.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the 40 projects created close to 4,500 jobs.
“In 2025, Penang remained Malaysia’s leading exporting state, contributing RM611bil or 38% of the nation’s total trade.
“Between 2021 and 2025, Penang exported RM187bil worth of professional, scientific and controlling instruments and apparatus, accounting for an average of 72% of Malaysia’s total exports in this category,” he said.
Chow then witnessed the signing of a lease agreement between Eppendorf Group chief executive officer Dr Christine Munz and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Latiff Abd Aziz at Komtar, George Town.
The RM180mil investment will see Eppendorf, a German laboratory equipment supplier, establish its first manufacturing plant in South-East Asia at Bandar Cassia Technology Park in Batu Kawan.
The facility will manufacture selected laboratory instruments for export to global markets, with production expected to begin in 2028.
Chow said the investment reflected continued confidence in Penang’s industrial ecosystem while strengthening the state’s capabilities in scientific and measuring equipment, a strategic sector supporting advanced manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences.
“Investments such as Eppendorf’s do more than expand manufacturing capacity,” he said.
“They deepen our industrial capabilities, create opportunities for Malaysian companies to move up the value chain and foster closer collaboration between industry, universities and research institutions.”
Chow said the state also welcomed Eppendorf’s collaboration with local companies through the Penang ATE Campus in technology development, localisation, supplier development and supply chain strengthening.
Also present was InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Seri Loo Lee Lian.
