Corning Resolves EU Antitrust Probe, Exempts Apple from Investigation

The European Commission has concluded an antitrust investigation into Corning's glass supply deals. Corning agreed to waive exclusive dealing clauses in all current agreements and commit to not using similar clauses in future agreements. The Commission found that Corning's supply deals with Apple fell outside the scope of the investigation, as the products used by Apple had special compositions and were only used by the company.

The European Commission has concluded an antitrust investigation into Corning's glass supply deals, resulting in the company agreeing to waive exclusive dealing clauses in all current agreements. This move aims to address potential anticompetitive practices involving the supply of Gorilla Glass, used in the cover layer of smartphones, tablets, and wearables [1].

Corning, a prominent U.S. glass maker known for its Gorilla Glass product, successfully averted a potential antitrust fine from the European Union by agreeing to waive exclusive deals with mobile phone manufacturers and glass processing companies. According to a report by Reuters, the company will also eliminate certain purchasing clauses as part of the resolution of an eight-month investigation [1].

The European Commission accepted Corning's concessions, which include waiving all exclusive dealing clauses in its current agreements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and finishers. Additionally, Corning has agreed not to mandate that OEMs purchase or ensure their supply chain purchases more than 50% of their demand from the company. These terms will remain in effect for nine years [1].

Notably, the Commission found that Corning's supply deals with Apple fell outside the scope of the investigation, as the products used by Apple had special compositions and were only used by the company [2]. For the rest of the relevant market, to address regulators' concerns, Corning submitted a series of commitments in hopes of satisfying the EC and avoiding further action. After a little back and forth, Corning amended its initially proposed commitments and offered the final set to the Commission [2].

This development is significant for Corning's financial health and market operations, as the EU's antitrust regulations can impose fines as hefty as 10% of a company's turnover. By successfully negotiating these concessions, Corning has avoided potential financial penalties and maintained its competitive position in the global glass market [1].

References:
[1] https://www.indexbox.io/blog/corning-avoids-antitrust-fine-with-eu-concessions/
[2] https://9to5mac.com/2025/07/19/apple-exempt-from-cornings-eu-antitrust-probe-deal/