Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today announced that its board of directors has approved a capital expenditure plan of approximately $170 million to further increase the capacity of its clean air products plant in Shanghai, China.
The investment will be used to expand the Corning Shanghai Company Limited (CSCL) facility and to increase its capacity to manufacture emissions control substrates for light-duty (automotive) passenger vehicles. This expansion is expected to be complete and operational in the third quarter of 2013.
Mark Beck, senior vice president and general manager, Corning Environmental Technologies, said, "Global sales of automobiles, particularly in China and across Asia, are forecasted to grow steadily over the next several years, increasing demand for Corning's advanced substrates. Strict emissions regulations around the world are driving vehicles to use more substrates than before and to use advanced substrates. This significant investment will help us to meet the growing demand. It also demonstrates our commitment to improve service to our customers and to maintaining a leadership position in the emissions control industry."
"Corning has been investing in China for more than 25 years," said Eric S. Musser, chief executive officer of Corning Greater China. "Today's announcement, the third expansion of our automotive substrate facility, marks another important milestone in our commitment to China. As the first substrate manufacturer to enter China 10 years ago, we are proud that we continue to support China's automotive industry through a combination of strategic investments, innovative technologies, and values-based market leadership."
Corning Shanghai Company Limited, which is wholly owned by Corning Incorporated, is a state-of-the-art, high-tech emissions control substrate facility that first began shipping product in early 2001. Corning first expanded the facility in 2007 and last year announced a $125 million second expansion of the facility. Production from this recent expansion is expected to begin shipping in the second half of 2012. In addition to manufacturing advanced substrates, CSCL also includes sales, marketing and engineering support that provide world-class service for Corning customers in China and throughout Asia.
Corning is a leading supplier of advanced cellular ceramic substrates and diesel particulate filters for the world's major manufacturers of gasoline and diesel engines. The company invented an economical, high-performance, cellular ceramic substrate in the early 1970s that is now the standard for catalytic converters worldwide. In 1978, Corning developed the cellular ceramic particulate filter to remove soot from diesel emissions. Corning continues to leverage its expertise in materials, processes and manufacturing to develop advanced ceramic substrates and diesel particulate filters that help meet demanding mobile emissions requirements.