- Gorilla Glass maker Corning is facing an EU antitrust probe over alleged abuse of its dominant position in the smartphone cover glass market.
- The investigation focuses on exclusive supply agreements that Corning may have signed with smartphone makers and raw glass processors.
A vast majority of smartphones these days feature some form of protective glass over the display and, in some cases, on the back panel. Although a few glass manufacturers offer such protective glass to smartphone makers, Gorilla Glass and Ceramic Shield from US-based Corning are undoubtedly the most commonly used cover glass products.
Corning’s dominant position in the smartphone cover glass market has brought the company under the scanner, with the EU launching an investigation into possible anticompetitive practices. The European Commission’s antitrust probe aims to identify whether Corning exploited its market position to sign exclusive supply agreements with smartphone makers and companies that process raw glass to the detriment of competitors.