India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem has taken a significant leap forward with the inauguration of the country’s first tempered glass manufacturing facility for mobile devices. The plant, a collaboration between Indian electronics manufacturer Optiemus Infracom and U.S. technology major Corning Incorporated, was officially launched in Noida by Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
This new facility marks a major step towards ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiatives, aiming to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported components for smartphones and other electronic devices. Previously, India, despite being one of the world’s largest mobile phone markets, has had to import tempered glass, a crucial protective accessory.
The new plant, which saw an initial investment of ₹70 crore, will have an annual production capacity of 2.5 crore units and is expected to create over 600 direct jobs. In the second phase, Optiemus plans to significantly scale up production to 20 crore units per year with an additional investment of ₹800 crore, generating an estimated 4,500 more jobs and catering to both domestic and international markets.
During the inauguration, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the rapid growth of India’s electronics manufacturing sector, noting a sixfold increase in production value over the past decade. He emphasized the government’s commitment to building a complete electronics ecosystem within the country, with plans to manufacture every component of a mobile phone, including chips and cover glasses.
The tempered glass produced at the Noida facility will be branded as “Engineered by Corning” and is set to be sold under the “RhinoTech” brand, offering a one-year warranty with unlimited replacement. Optiemus Chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta stated that the company’s goal is to ensure every Indian mobile phone user has access to a high-quality, BIS-certified, “Made in India” tempered glass.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and comprehensive manufacturing capabilities, including chemical tempering, coating, and lamination, ensuring the production of world-class, durable, and high-quality tempered glass. This development not only addresses a key gap in the domestic supply chain but also positions India as a potential global player in the mobile accessories and electronics component market.
