Corning is in talks with homegrown and global automakers to explore the adoption of its advanced automotive glass and display technologies, as it aims to expand its presence in India's growing automotive market beyond emission-control solutions, ET Auto has reported.
The New York-based company is engaging with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) on several applications for vehicle interiors and exteriors. These include automotive-grade Gorilla Glass, Dynamic Decor, Advanced Edge and 3D Cold Form technologies.
Dynamic Decor is designed to integrate infotainment functionality into vehicle interiors without compromising their aesthetics. The technology allows a dashboard surface to retain the appearance of a conventional wooden-finish panel when the display is switched off. Once activated, the same surface functions as a screen, enabling automakers to incorporate infotainment features into the dashboard.
Corning, which supplies Gorilla Glass to several smartphone manufacturers, has also adapted the technology for automotive windshields. The company is already supplying the product to an Indian OEM and is in discussions with other domestic manufacturers and global automakers operating in India.
The firm is also promoting its Advanced Edge technology, which is designed to preserve glass strength at the corners during the finishing process. Singh said conventional glass finishing can weaken the edges, while the company's solution helps maintain strength across the material, improving durability.
Another technology under consideration is 3D Cold Form, which enables flat glass sheets to be shaped into different configurations, including V-shaped and C-shaped designs. The technology can be used in curved displays and pillar-to-pillar screens in vehicles.
Corning is looking to increase the amount of technology it supplies to each vehicle across both emission-control applications and automotive glass.
The company reiterated its target of expanding technology integration from 2.5 million vehicles to 5 million vehicles, with Singh saying the plan was broadly on track.
Corning has been associated with India's automotive industry for around 25 years, primarily through ceramic substrates and filters that help automakers meet emission requirements. It is now looking to widen its presence across vehicle interiors, exteriors, optical connectivity and other emerging automotive applications.
The company is also developing ceramic substrate and filter technologies for India's two-wheeler segment.
