German science and technology company Merck is to close its operation in Co Wicklow by the end of 2028, with the loss of 100 jobs.
Staff at the Merck Life Science plant in Arklow were informed of the decision at a meeting this morning.
The facility manufactures ingredients for pharmaceutical products.
The site on the Vale Road in the town, which was acquired by Merck in 2015, employs around 100 people. The company said all will be impacted by the plant's closure.
The company has a number of other operations across Ireland, including in Carrigtwohill in Co Cork and in Citywest in Co Dublin.
In a statement, Merck said that following "a strategic portfolio review of products at its Arklow, Ireland site, the decision has been made to discontinue the API [Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient] portfolio."
"As a result of this decision, it is proposed to discontinue operations at the Arklow facility by the end of 2028," it added.
The company said a consultation process with the workforce and trade union SIPTU "will commence immediately".
It is understood the decision, which Merck said was not taken lightly, follows "careful consideration of various factors including market dynamics and customer needs."
Merck Life Science, which is owned by German based science and technology company Merck, is not part of the US pharmaceutical company Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD), which also has operations in Ireland.
A spokesperson for the Minister for Enterprise and Employment said he received correspondence from Merck this morning in relation to the proposed closure of the Arklow facility.
The spokesperson said Peter Burke is "engaged with the company and the IDA" in relation to the announcement from Merck and that "all supports will be made available to the workers impacted."
"A collective redundancy notification has not been received," a statement added.
Local Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan has described the Merck announcement as "a huge blow to the locality."
He said the loss of over 100 jobs "is absolutely devastating," given that the Merck Life Science facility in Arklow "has long been a large employer in the town."
"My foremost concern is for all of the potentially impacted employees and their families at this uncertain time," he added.
Deputy Brennan has called for an urgent taskforce to be established to manage the issue.
"While this is a shock to the people of Arklow and South Wicklow we do have time to work on this to both engage with Merck and to provide support to the workers," he said.
He said he has been in close contact with the Minister for Enterprise and IDA Ireland "to ensure that all efforts are taken to support the workers in the Arklow site going forward."
Local Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne said the development is "a serious setback for the local community and for the many families who have been supported by employment at the Merck site since its establishment."
He said the loss of the jobs would have "a profound impact on the local economy."
Deputy Byrne said he understands that "a redeployment programme is to be put in place."
He said he has been engaging with the company and he said he will also raise the matter with the Government.
"The interests of workers must come first, and we need to identify a successor for the plant site to ensure continued industrial and economic activity in Arklow," he added.
SIPTU has said it is "committed to exploring all options available" to save the threatened jobs at Merck Life Science.
The trade union represents around half of the 100 workers at the manufacturing plant.
SIPTU sector organiser Andrea Cleere said the unexpected announcement has "shocked workers, many of whom have worked at this facility for decades".
"If the closure is carried out, it will have a devastating impact on these workers, their families, the wider community, and the local economy." she said.
Ms Cleere added that a meeting between SIPTU representatives and management is scheduled to take place tomorrow, at which she said the trade union will "raise our members' concerns regarding the announcement and seek to begin discussions on all possible alternatives to the plant’s closure".
SIPTU organiser Martin Mannion said they will also seek to discuss the situation with the relevant government agencies and departments, as well as local elected representatives.
"The impact of this closure would have a very adverse effect on Arklow and is an issue which necessitates a coordinated response aimed at protecting these workers’ livelihoods," he added.
