European Union evaluating if Corning monopolizes the smartphone screen market
by Amber Neely · AppleInsiderThe European Union is investigating Corning over concerns that the company might misuse its dominant position in the global market for alkali-aluminosilicate glass, commonly used in smartphone screens.
If you own a smartphone, chances are, the glass used to make the screen came from Corning. In 2016, the New York-based company held an impressive 73% share of the smartphone screen market, largely thanks to Gorilla Glass. Currently, Corning provides 40% of the glass for the entire display market, which includes smartphones, tablets, laptop screens, wearables, and more.
Apple's own Ceramic Shield, which has been used on iPhone models since the iPhone 12, was developed by Corning, too.
It is because of this market saturation that the company has landed itself in hot water with European regulators. The European Commission has expressed concerns regarding Corning's alleged distortion of competition through exclusive supply agreements with smartphone manufacturers and entities involved in raw glass processing.
Allegedly, Corning has put exclusivity agreements in place that require smartphone manufacturers to source nearly all of their alkali-aluminosilicate glass from Corning. Additionally, Corning offers rebates to companies that comply with the exclusivity contracts.
It also appears that Corning has placed similar exclusivity agreements and imposed no-challenge clauses into 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 hefty 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.
37 Comments
JamesCude 71 comments · 3 Years
About 4 days ago
EU will fine anything for a dollar. Such a useless entity.
mike1 3430 comments · 10 Years
About 4 days ago
God forbid you make the best product.
spheric 2687 comments · 9 Years
About 4 days ago
JamesCude said:
EU will fine anything for a dollar. Such a useless entity.
EU will go after anything that tries to abuse its market position.
It is in fact their fucking JOB to investigate when it looks like there might be a problem. That's what they're paid to do.
"Investigation" does not mean that there IS a problem, btw.
ssfe11 100 comments · New User
About 4 days ago
The Trump Administration will not allow the American companies EU bullying to go on any longer. You can bank on that. He already spoke with Tim about how once elected that is not going to happen anymore.
apple4thewin 279 comments · 3 Years
About 4 days ago
ssfe11 said:
The Trump Administration will not allow the American companies EU bullying to go on any longer. You can bank on that. He already spoke with Tim about how once elected that is not going to happen anymore.
This discussion has already been exhausted in this article/comment section https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/10/17/trump-says-tim-cook-complained-to-him-about-the-eu