Corning has increased the share of glass it supplies to LG Display (LGD) for OLED panels for cars, Japanese media TheElec reported on August 12.
Within a year, Corning accounted for more than 10% of THE glass used by LGD, according to people familiar with the matter. Previously, about 70 per cent of the glass used in car displays came from China's Dongxu Optoelectronics and about 30 per cent from South Korean company Tovis.
However, people familiar with the matter say Corning is now taking a share of those suppliers in LGD's supply chain. They say the American glass giant offers glass at a more competitive price than its competitors.
The move comes at a time of growing demand from car companies for larger, higher-looking displays.
Corning is understood to be engaged in an aggressive marketing campaign to gain a greater share of this growing sector. Corning has been supplying cover glass for Samsung and Apple for years, giving it the ability to mass-produce it.
Tovis focuses on liquid crystal display (LCD) modules and industrial displays, with LCD modules accounting for more than 60% of its current sales. Last year, Tovis posted 278.2 billion won in sales and 5.6 billion won in operating losses. In recent years, the company has focused on automotive displays to make up for this loss.
A Tovis spokesman said that while Corning's efforts are affecting its business, it can adequately respond to the move.
In addition to protecting cover glass, the company also supplies LGD with backlight units and color filters, Tovis added.
