Corning looks to antimicrobial tech to boost Gorilla Glass sales

• Hoping to appeal to germ-conscious gadget buyers (and boost ASPs along the way), Corning (GLW +0.9%) has launched an antimicrobial version of Gorilla Glass.
• The glass relies on ionic silver to kill off bacteria that can gradually form on a well-used touchscreen. The solution is meant not only for mobile devices, but public touch-enabled systems such as kiosks.
• Corning's Specialty Materials sales (Gorilla Glass-driven) are expected to rise 20%-25% Q/Q in Q2, as an inventory overhang dissipates. But a competitive threat from sapphire cover glass looms on the horizon.
• Last year: Corning exec talks new glass markets