Gorilla glass maker Corning Inc. will invest Rs 1,000 crore to set up a new manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu. The company will collaborate with its Indian partner, Optiemus Infracom for this purpose. The decision was finalised last week. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed during the Global Investor Meet in January, 2024.

Located on a 25-acre plot in Pillaipakkam near Sriperumbudur, the facility will employ around 300 individuals, with the potential for further expansion. The construction phase is estimated to span a year. Corning joins a host of other Apple suppliers which have strengthened their presence in the country.

Earlier the Telangana government said the company had decided to invest in Telangana. However, the company shifted its unit to Tamil Nadu due to the latter's robust electronics ecosystem and proximity to other Apple suppliers.

This will enable Tamil Nadu to be the frontrunner in electronics manufacturing, contributing to India's emergence as a prominent electronics hub. The strategic approach involves moving up the electronics value chain by drawing specialized manufacturers capable of catering to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Headquartered in New York, Corning Inc. is a Fortune 500 materials science company known for inventing Gorilla Glass, a durable glass extensively used in mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.