Corning Lays Foundation for ₹1,000 Crore Plant in Chennai at Pillaipakkam
US-based Corning International Corporation, renowned for its Gorilla Glass, laid the foundation stone for a new manufacturing facility in Pillaipakkam near Chennai on Tuesday. This plant, established with an investment of around ₹1,000 crore, will produce front cover glass for smartphones, marking a significant development in the region.
Corning’s Joint Venture with Optiemus Infracom
The new facility, a joint venture between Corning and listed mobile and IT hardware manufacturer Optiemus Infracom, will operate under the name Bharat Innovative Glass Technologies (BIG Tech). This will be India’s first facility dedicated to producing finished glass cover parts for mobile consumer electronics, according to the company’s statement. Production is expected to commence in the second half of 2025, initially manufacturing 30 million pieces and employing 500 people, with plans to scale up based on demand.
Boosting Local Manufacturing and Innovation
Located in the SIPCOT Pillaipakkam industrial park in Sriperumbudur, the plant aims to cater to the growing demand for smartphone components in India as the country increases its exports. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin highlighted the strategic importance of this investment, stating, “Today’s ground-breaking for Bharat Innovative Glass Technologies not only marks a significant investment in our state’s industrial capabilities but also reinforces Tamil Nadu’s position as a hub for innovation and technological advancement.“
David Velasquez, Vice President of Corning Gorilla Glass, emphasized the facility’s role in supporting customers’ evolving supply chains and enhancing the availability of durable Gorilla Glass to more consumers in the region. Ashok Gupta, Executive Chairman of Optiemus Infracom, noted that the joint venture underscores their commitment to delivering high-quality, advanced cover glass, aligning with the Indian government’s Make in India initiative.
Expanding Apple’s Supplier Base in Tamil Nadu
Corning’s investment is part of a broader trend of Apple Inc. suppliers establishing operations in Tamil Nadu, joining other major companies like Foxconn, Pegatron, Tata Electronics, and Salcomp. This move further consolidates Tamil Nadu’s status as a critical hub for electronics manufacturing in India.
