Corning Inc, the world's largest manufacturer of smartphone cover glass, plans to start producing the product in India by the end of 2024 through a joint venture with Noida-based contract manufacturer Optiemus Infracom Ltd called Bharat Innovation Glass Technologies.

"For the first time, cover glass will be manufactured in India for both domestic and international OEMs who assemble their devices there." The technology is scalable and can be scaled up to support increased supply. It is consistent with the government's Make in India vision," said John Bayne, senior vice president and general manager, mobile consumer electronics at Corning Inc. on Thursday.

He noted that the company's decision to manufacture in India was directly related to its goal of diversifying supply chains and moving some of its manufacturing away from China.

"During Covid, the world realised that it was overly reliant on certain regions, and a little more diversity would probably help just as a backup to avoid situations like [the pandemic] or natural disasters, or if a country shuts down." So you've seen people diversify in different Asian countries, and our priority is to be close to our customers," he explained.

The JV intends to produce 30 million units in India during the first phase of production, which will employ 500-1000 people. The parties are currently in talks with state governments, including those of Tamil Nadu and Telangana, in order to secure land for the factory.