The right balance between Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals as well as innovation and tradition – that’s what we stand for at EMD.  Around 33,000 employees worldwide are pursuing the “Sustain. Change. Grow.” strategy to continue the Merck, Darmstadt, Germany, success story – and improve quality of life for people everywhere. The companies of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate in North America under the umbrella brand EMD, formed from the initials of Emanuel Merck, Darmstadt. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.