- Corning (GLW +0.5%) is working with Taiwanese manufacturer G-Tech Optoelectronics to bring 3D-shaped Gorilla Glass parts to market in 2014. The glass-forming technology needed to produce the parts is said to be manufacturing-ready. (PR)
- The 3D parts target a burgeoning market for mobile and wearable devices with curved and/or form-fitting glass. Samsung and LG recently launched phones with curved OLED displays, and Apple is reportedly prepping both an iWatch and larger iPhones featuring curved glass.
- Corning has already launched Willow Glass, a bendable product that could find its way into smartwatches and other wrap-around devices. The company is looking to fend off a looming threat from sapphire glass suppliers such as GT Advanced (GTAT +1.8%), which recently struck a big supply deal with Apple.