Science and technology company Merck KGaA has opened a new production facility for liquid crystal window modules in Veldhoven, Germany. The investment of €15 million ($17.9 million) is a further step by Merck to expand its expertise as the market and technology leader in liquid crystals for displays by moving into other applications beyond televisions, laptops, smartphones and tablet PCs. In 2016, the company set up an independent business field for liquid crystal window technology in order to achieve faster market penetration. “This new facility is a milestone in our strategy to capture new attractive and future-oriented application fields for liquid crystals beyond displays,” said Kai Beckmann, member of the Merck executive board and CEO of the performance materials division. “We recently started taking orders from customers for modules that will be ready for delivery as of early 2018. The industry interest in liquid crystal windows we’ve seen so far is very positive.” Merck is a technology provider in health care, the life sciences and performance materials.