India has inaugurated its first tempered glass manufacturing facility for mobile devices in Noida, marking a major milestone in the country’s electronics manufacturing journey. The facility, established by Optiemus Electronics in collaboration with Corning Incorporated, USA, will produce high-quality tempered glass under the globally recognized brand “Engineered by Corning” for both domestic and international markets.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who presided over the inauguration, stated that tempered glass is a critical accessory for mobile phones and its indigenous production is a significant step forward in the Make in India initiative. He emphasized that India will eventually manufacture every component of mobile phones, including chips, cover glasses, and server components, thereby positioning itself as a global electronics powerhouse.
The Minister announced that a Made in India chip will be rolled out soon, reinforcing the country’s commitment to self-reliance. He highlighted that electronics manufacturing in India has grown sixfold in the past 11 years, reaching Rs 11.5 trillion in production value, with exports exceeding Rs 3 trillion and generating 2.5 million jobs.
India’s design strength was cited as a key asset, with the government continuing to support research and development. An IIT Madras-incubated startup has designed India’s first microcontroller, which will soon be deployed in domestic products. Indian manufacturers are already exporting railway equipment to European countries, showcasing global competitiveness.
Vaishnaw noted that India’s GDP growth of 7.8 percent in Q1 FY26 reflects a stable and innovation-driven economy. He called on youth to contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, stating that global expectations from India are rising.
Ashok Kumar Gupta, Chairman of Optiemus Infracom, described the facility as a landmark moment for Indian electronics manufacturing. He expressed the aspiration that every Indian mobile phone user should use a Make in India tempered glass with BIS certification and fog marking.
Pankaj Mahindroo, Chairman of ICEA, emphasized the labor-intensive nature of tempered glass manufacturing and its potential to support MSMEs, generate employment, and boost exports. The domestic market is estimated at over 500 million pieces with a retail value of Rs 200 billion, while the global market exceeds USD 60 billion.
With an initial investment of Rs 70 crore, Phase 1 of the facility will produce 25 million units annually and employ over 600 people. Phase 2 will scale capacity to 200 million units per year with an additional Rs 800 crore investment, creating over 4,500 direct jobs.
The facility includes advanced capabilities such as scribing, shaping, polishing, chemical tempering, coating, printing, and lamination, all under stringent quality inspections. This marks the first time Indian consumers will have access to standardized, high-quality tempered glass manufactured domestically.
