German pharmaceutical and chemical company Merck is investing more than €300 million ($320 million) in a new research centre at its headquarters in the western German city of Darmstadt south of Frankfurt. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke at the laying of the foundation stone for the expansion on Thursday, calling it a “commitment to Germany as a strong location for pharmaceuticals, industry and research.” The centre is scheduled to open in three years. “Investments such as those made by Merck here at the Darmstadt headquarters make exceptional economic, medical and scientific sense,” said S…