Ceramic screen on iPhone 16 | Image Credit: Apple
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The European Union is investigating Corning over concerns that the company may be abusing its dominant position in the global market for alkali aluminosilicate glass, which is commonly used in smartphone screens.
If you own a smartphone, chances are the glass on your screen was made by Corning. In 2016, the New York-based company held an impressive 73% market share of smartphone displays, thanks in large part to Gorilla Glass. Corning now supplies 40% of the glass for the entire display market, including smartphones, tablets, laptop screens, wearables, and more.
Apple’s own Ceramic Shield, which has been used in iPhone models since the iPhone 12, was also developed by Corning.
It’s this market saturation that has landed the company in hot water with European regulators. The European Commission has raised concerns about Corning’s alleged distortion of competition through exclusive supply agreements with smartphone makers and raw glass recyclers.
Corning has allegedly entered into exclusivity agreements that require smartphone makers to source nearly all of their alkali aluminosilicate glass from Corning. Additionally, Corning offers discounts to companies that comply with exclusivity contracts.
It also appears that Corning has entered into similar exclusivity agreements and included no-objection clauses in its contracts with companies that process raw glass.
As a result, the European Commission will conduct an in-depth investigation into Corning’s actions. Corning is allowed to submit comments to address the Commission’s concerns.
Corning receives significant funding from companies like Apple. In fact, in 2021, Apple awarded the glass maker $45 million from the Advanced Manufacturing Fund to expand the company and its R&D.
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