Apple supplier Corning is facing a European Commission-led antitrust probe over potential anticompetitive practices the EC believes have led to the company’s Gorilla Glass technology’s dominant position in the smartphone cover glass market.
The investigation centers on whether or not US-based Corning abused its market position by using exclusivity contracts to block rival glass makers from competing for business with mobile device manufacturers, like Apple. The Commission is particularly focused on contracts that allegedly required manufacturers to source the lion’s share of their specialized alkali-aluminosilicate glass from Corning.
“It is [a] very frustrating and costly experience to break a mobile phone screen. Therefore, strong competition in the production of the cover glass used to protect such devices is crucial to ensure low prices and high-quality glass,” said EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager in a statement. “We are investigating if Corning, a major producer of this special glass, may have tried to exclude rival glass producers, thereby depriving consumers from cheaper and more break-resistant glass.”
The EC is looking to determine whether Corning’s practices have led to higher prices and reduced innovation. The commission has not yet set a deadline for the investigation’s completion. If Corning is found to have violated EU competition rules, it could face significant penalties.
Corning has long been a component supplier for Apple, with the Cupertino iPhone maker having invested $495 million in the company between 2017 and 2021. This relationship resulted in the development of Ceramic Shield, which Apple describes as its “most advanced glass ceramic formulation,” claiming it’s twice as tough as competitive smartphone glass.
While competitors like Samsung use standard Gorilla Glass products, including the recent “Gorilla Armor” for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple’s Ceramic Shield technology has remained in it being exclusive to iPhone models since its introduction with the iPhone 12 in 2020.