Ddos 
American glass manufacturer Corning, long known for supplying reinforced glass products for smartphones, has recently reached an agreement with the European Commission to terminate exclusive supply arrangements with certain smartphone brands. This move aims to resolve an ongoing investigation—initiated last year over alleged anti-competitive practices—and avert the imposition of a substantial EU fine.
The European Commission had previously alleged that Corning engaged in antitrust behavior by signing “exclusive purchasing agreements” with smartphone manufacturers, effectively obligating them to procure nearly all of their Alkali-Aluminosilicate (Alkali-AS) strengthened glass—commercially known as Gorilla Glass—from Corning within the European Economic Area. These agreements were reportedly reinforced by discount incentives, effectively barring rival suppliers from entering the market, stifling innovation, and driving up costs.
In response to the Commission’s concerns, Corning has proposed a series of binding commitments. These include the immediate removal of exclusivity clauses from all existing contracts, a pledge to cease demanding exclusive procurement from smartphone brands or glass processing suppliers, and a prohibition against entering into any future exclusive arrangements.
Furthermore, within the European Economic Area, Corning will no longer be permitted to compel partners to purchase predetermined product volumes. On a global scale, Corning must refrain from requiring brands to source more than 50% of their total glass needs from the company.
These commitments will remain in force for nine years and will be subject to regular audits by an independent monitoring trustee appointed by the European Union. This development underscores the EU’s ongoing efforts to bolster antitrust enforcement and ensure fair competition within the digital and telecommunications sectors.
By cooperating with the Commission and voluntarily committing to these terms, Corning has managed to avoid fines, formal findings of wrongdoing, and any material impact on its operations—thus steering clear of potential penalties that could have reached up to 10% of its global revenue.
In a subsequent statement to Bloomberg News, Corning confirmed that the investigation had been successfully resolved without affecting the growth of its Gorilla Glass business and emphasized that its overall operations remained unaffected.
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