Virtually all mainstream and high-end smartphones and media tablets are assembled in China and utilize Corning Gorilla glass for durability. As strange as it may seem, so far the lion’s share of Corning's advanced glass substrates for popular consumer electronics gadgets has been delivered from the U.S., which increased manufacturing costs. This week, Corning opened a facility to produce its robust glass substrates in China.

Located in the Beijing economic technological development area, the fab is Corning’s second thin-film transistor-liquid crystal display glass production facility in China. Corning will provide melting, forming and finishing capabilities up to gen 8.5 for TFT-LCD customers, including BOE Technology Group. Corning also has LCD glass facilities in the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan, as well as in Korea through its 50%-owned equity venture, Samsung Corning Precision Materials.

“Our newest Beijing TFT-LCD plant reaffirms our commitment not only to our LCD customers, but also to the growing China LCD industry. Corning recognizes that China is the world’s leading consumer and one of the largest producers of LCD panels for TV applications. As an industry leader in TFT-LCD glass and other advanced display products, Corning is committed to providing customers with reliable supplies across our worldwide network,” said James Clappin, president of Corning Glass Technologies.

In 2010, Corning announced an $800 million investment to construct this new LCD glass substrate facility. With the support of the Beijing municipal government and other local officials, Corning located this new facility in the Beijing digital TV industry park within the Beijing economic technological development area. This plant is located near Corning’s Beijing-based LCD panel maker customers to enable more efficient collaboration on projects of mutual interest.

“I want to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the municipalities and authorities that we had the opportunity to work with throughout this process. Corning was the first TFT-LCD glass substrate supplier to announce that it would locate a production facility on the China mainland, and today’s celebration marks the latest milestone in Corning’s ongoing support of China’s economic growth. Corning is fully committed to the TFT-LCD industry in China and to growing with our customers,” said Li Fang, president and general manager of Corning Greater China.

Tags: Corning, Apple, Samsung, iPhone, iPad, Galaxy, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Note