About EMD and Merck Together EMD and Merck are the research reagents group of the Life Science Products division of Merck KGaA. Merck KGaA was founded in 1668 in Darmstadt, Germany, and now has more than 34,500 employees in 53 countries. EMD or Merck – why two names? EMD and Merck are the same company. Merck KGaA has developed twin logos: EMD for use in North America and Merck in the rest of the world We are known as EMDs in North America and Merck in all other countries. Product brands ...