- Merck’s HPC, built on Lenovo ThinkSystem servers with Neptune liquid cooling, is hosted in an Equinix AI-ready data centre.
- The platform unites private and public cloud resources to drive scalable compute for drug discovery, materials R&D, and advanced analytics.
What happened: Merck’s HPC launches at Equinix in Germany
Merck KGaA, based in Darmstadt, Germany, has launched a new high-performance computer at an Equinix AI-ready data centre. The system, developed by Lenovo, uses ThinkSystem servers and Lenovo’s Neptune liquid cooling technology to deliver powerful and efficient compute.
The architecture is hybrid: it combines both private cloud and public cloud resources, allowing Merck to scale compute on demand depending on the workload. This HPC is intended to accelerate work across Merck’s life science, healthcare and electronics divisions, aiding in tasks such as drug discovery, scientific research, and semiconductor material development.
Equinix plays a central role by providing the digital infrastructure foundation. Its data centre supports high-density compute with liquid cooling, and enables Merck to access a secure, low-latency environment for training AI models, running simulations, and analysing large datasets. Equinix notes that its infrastructure allows for distributed, sovereign compute across clouds and geographies.
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Why it’s important
This collaboration underscores how high-performance computing (HPC) is converging with real-world scientific and industrial applications. By combining Equinix’s data-centre infrastructure with Lenovo’s advanced servers, Merck can push forward its research more efficiently and sustainably. The liquid-cooling technology helps manage energy consumption for intensive workloads, aligning with ESG goals.
The hybrid cloud design means Merck is not limited to fixed compute capacity; it can burst into public cloud when needed. This flexibility supports more agile research and development, especially in sectors where computing demands can spike unpredictably.
On a broader scale, Equinix’s facility in Germany highlights the growing importance of “AI-ready” infrastructure at data-centre providers, particularly in Europe, where data sovereignty and latency matter. As more companies in science and manufacturing turn to AI and HPC, partnerships like this could become a model for bridging research needs with scalable infrastructure.
