Corning to build catalytic converter substrate facility in China

7 May 1998

Corning, NY—Corning Incorporated announced today that it plans to build a new facility in China to meet anticipated 21st century demand for emissions-control products throughout Asia. The facility will be located in Pudong, Shanghai, and will include sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing operations for the company's substrate products used in automobile, truck, bus and motorbike catalytic converters.

Pending completion of business establishment procedures in China, construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 1998. Production and shipment of catalytic converter substrates will begin in 2000. It will be Corning's first wholly owned manufacturing plant in China. The company's investment is expected to total $US77 million.

"As we enter the next century, there will be a strong and growing demand for catalytic converters throughout Asia resulting from clean air regulations and, in the longer-term, from increased vehicle sales," said Robert L. Ecklin, senior vice president and general manager of Corning's Environmental Products Division. Annual production of automobiles and light commercial vehicles in Asia (excluding Japan) is projected to grow more than 75% by the year 2008, from about 6.4 million vehicles in 1997 to approximately 11.3 million vehicles by 2008.

The new Pudong, Shanghai operation will provide enhanced service to Corning's existing customers throughout Asia. The facility, in Pudong's Jinqiao industrial zone, will also be well located to meet the future needs of China's vehicle manufacturers.

The new Asian sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing center will join Corning's global network serving vehicle manufacturers worldwide. Today, the company operates catalytic converter substrate sales and customer service offices in Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; New Delhi, India; Sydney, Australia; Singapore; Taiwan; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Wiesbaden, Germany; Troy, Mich.; and Corning, N.Y. Corning currently manufactures catalytic converter substrates in Erwin, N.Y. (USA); Blacksburg, Va. (USA); and Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Cellular ceramic substrates are used at the core of catalytic converters. When coated with a catalyst, the unit converts noxious exhaust gases to harmless exhaust gases and water vapor. Corning invented the cellular ceramic substrate more than 25 years ago, and today is a leading supplier of the devices to vehicle manufacturers worldwide.

Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated creates leading-edge technologies for the fastest growing segments of the world's economy. For communications and communications-related industries, Corning manufactures optical fiber and optical networking components, high-performance glass and components for television, and other electronic displays and equipment. Corning also manufactures advanced materials for scientific and environmental markets. Corning's total revenues in 1997 were $3.5 billion.

Source: Corning