After EU accusations

Corning wants to waive exclusivity clauses

The specialty glass manufacturer Corning has offered concessions following EU accusations of possible distortion of competition. The US company intends to remove all exclusive clauses in existing agreements with cell phone manufacturers, for example, and will not use such clauses in future either.

At the beginning of November, the Brussels authority made public concerns that Corning could have distorted competition through such clauses. There were fears that competing glass manufacturers could have been excluded from large market segments in this way, with possible negative consequences - such as higher prices - for consumers.

Competitors and other market participants are now to tell the Commission what they think of Corning's offer. The case concerns glass, which is mainly used to protect the screens of smartphones, smartwatches and tablets, for example.

The US manufacturer Corning operates worldwide and produces the particularly break-resistant glass, which is marketed under the Gorilla Glass brand, among others.