Corning is investing Rs 1,000 crore to set up a manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu, boosting the region’s local supply chain and employment opportunities.
On Tuesday, Bharat Innovative Glass Technologies, a joint venture between US-headquartered Corning Inc., a maker of Gorilla Glass for smartphones and telecommunications, and manufacturing enterprise player Optiemus Infracom Ltd, conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for its upcoming production unit near here.
Established as a joint venture with listed mobile and IT hardware manufacturer Optiemus Infracom, Bharat Innovative Glass Technologies (BIG Tech) will be India’s first facility to produce finished glass cover parts for mobiles. This joint venture brings together the technological expertise of Corning Inc. and the manufacturing capabilities of Optiemus Infracom, promising a new era of innovation and growth in the Indian technology and manufacturing industry.
The facility, strategically located at the SIPCOT Pillaipakkam industrial park in Sriperumbudur, the electronics hub near Chennai, is well-positioned to cater to India’s growing demand for smartphone components. As the country ramps up exports, the domestic production of finished cover-glass components at this location is a significant leap for the Indian industry.
The BIG Tech facility strengthens local supply chains and creates substantial employment opportunities. This development further underscores Corning’s commitment to India, with a continued investment of Rs 1000 crore across multiple industries.
Chief Minister M K Stalin highlights that the groundbreaking ceremony significantly advances Tamil Nadu’s industrial capabilities. He notes that establishing this facility underscores Tamil Nadu’s role as a hub for innovation and technology.
Industries Minister TRB Rajaa adds that Corning and Optiemus’s decision to invest in Tamil Nadu is a testament to the state’s skilled workforce and business-friendly environment. He emphasizes that this new facility aligns with Tamil Nadu’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing leader.
This development comes five months after the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the investment was signed in the presence of CM Stalin. In 2023, around 13% of the world’s iPhones will be assembled in India, with about 75% of these assemblies in Tamil Nadu.
The BIG Tech facility is set to play a vital role in India’s growing electronics manufacturing sector and further Corning’s long-term investment strategy in the region.
