Merck breaks ground for Liquid Crystal Center Taiwan

June 28, 2004

Merck KGaA's Taiwan subsidiary Merck Display Technologies broke ground for the construction of its Liquid Crystal Center Taiwan (LCCT) in Kuanyin Industrial Park at a special ceremony on June 25, 2004. While the German conglomerate has set up similar production and R&D centers in Germany, Japan and South Korea, this is the first such center in Taiwan. The center's proximity to Taiwan's TFT-LCD manufacturers, which have made Taiwan the second largest production base for TFT-LCD in the world, will allow it to respond rapidly to domestic industry needs. The center is also sure to play an important role in the upgrading of manufacturing technology and production values among Taiwan's flat panel makers.

Merck Display Technologies, having already invested a total of NT$ 2.4 billion in Taiwan, currently operates three ITO coated glass and two color filter manufacturing facilities in Kuanyin Industrial Park. And now, with the government increasing its promotion of industries under the Two Trillion, Twin Stars Plan and the outlook positive for Taiwan's video display industry, Merck has decided to invest an additional NT$ 900 million to establish the LCCT. The center will produce liquid crystal materials essential to the manufacture of flat panel displays and conduct R&D right here in Taiwan. The LCCT, in addition to making an enormous contribution to the integration and development of the up, mid and down-stream sectors of Taiwan's TFT-LCD industry, will promote the improvement of optronics technology and the upgrading of this important sector in Taiwan.

Dr. Paul Breddels, executive vice president of Merck KGaA Liquid Crystals Division, made a special trip from Germany to Taiwan in order to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the LCCT. During the ceremony, Ministry of Economic Affairs Vice Minister Shih Yen-shiang expressed his great approval for this major investment project and extended a warm welcome to Merck. Vice Minister Shih also said he expects Merck Display Technologies and Taiwan's TFT-LCD makers to continue to jointly prosper and create win-win opportunities.

E-mail this page.