Brussels: The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation to determine if Corning, a major producer of cover glass for electronic devices, has misused its dominant market position. The focus is on the global market where this specialized glass is primarily used to protect screens of handheld electronic devices such as mobile phones.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Commission expressed concerns that Corning might have distorted competition by establishing anti-competitive exclusive supply agreements with mobile phone manufacturers (OEMs) and finishers-companies that process raw glass. These agreements may have potentially excluded rival glass producers from significant market segments, limiting customer options, raising prices, and hindering innovation, ultimately affecting consumers worldwide.
The European Commission has decided to prioritize this in-depth investigation. However, initiating a formal inquiry does not determine its outcome. In conjunction with the proceedings, the Commission
has released a Preliminary Assessment outlining the case’s key facts and competition concerns. Corning now has the opportunity to propose commitments to address these concerns.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, responsible for competition policy, emphasized the importance of competition in the cover glass production sector. She noted that strong competition is crucial for ensuring affordable, high-quality glass, which benefits consumers by offering more durable and cost-effective solutions for mobile device screens. The investigation aims to ascertain whether Corning’s practices have limited competition, potentially denying consumers access to better and cheaper glass alternatives.