Corning's Gorilla Glass is the subject of an antitrust investigation in the EU.
Corning may have used exclusivity contracts against its competitors.
The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Corning to determine whether it has violated antitrust rules with its flagship product, Gorilla Glass. Corning's sodium aluminosilicate glass is used to protect most high-end phones and tablets, being widely employed by brands such as Samsung and Apple in their device lines.
The Commission expresses concern over the use of exclusivity contracts that may have excluded competing glass manufacturers from the mobile phone market. Margrethe Vestager, the EU's competition chief, notes that breaking a mobile phone screen is a frustrating and costly experience, so strong competition in the production of protective glass is vital to ensure low prices and high-quality glass. The investigation focuses on agreements with mobile device manufacturers and raw glass producers. The EU is examining exclusive sourcing obligations that have required device manufacturers to acquire "all or nearly all" of their glass from Corning, as well as discounts associated with exclusivity agreements. Furthermore, manufacturers have been compelled to comment on competitive offers and accept them only if Corning did not match the price.
If it is concluded that Corning has violated EU competition rules, the company could face financial penalties. However, it would also have the opportunity to address the Commission's concerns through a set of commitments that could end the antitrust investigation.
Meredith Hoing, a spokesperson for Corning, stated that the company is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations in every location where it operates and has actively collaborated with local regulatory authorities to ensure open discussion and cooperation.
Corning's Gorilla Glass provides additional resistance to damage on phone and tablet screens, protecting them from scratches, bumps, and drops. This glass was a significant selling point for Apple's iPhone devices before sodium aluminosilicate glass became a predominant feature in modern smartphones.