After 25 years of working alongside local industry, Corning Display Technologies Taiwan marks its anniversary this year as both a testament to its longevity and a sign of its growing place in Taiwan’s high-tech ecosystem.

For Corning, the milestone reflects not only a legacy of local investment but also the steady evolution of its operations from a greenfield manufacturing site to an integrated hub supporting global innovation. Joining Corning in 2005, President of Corning Display Technologies Taiwan Andrew Ho has witnessed this progression firsthand, describing the journey as one defined by collaboration and a longstanding belief in Taiwan as a true home for the company.

“When Corning first arrived in Taiwan, the land where its Tainan facility now stands was little more than open space,” says Ho. “Government officials, recognizing the strategic importance of melting capabilities, encouraged Corning to bring this technology to Taiwan — a decision that helped establish the foundation for a robust, long-term presence,” he says.

Taiwan is now home to Corning’s R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and sales operations  for the Display Business Unit. This integrated presence has allowed Corning to support Taiwan’s high-tech landscape through multiple waves of industry transformation.

Early collaboration with panel makers centered on helping customers scale TFT-LCD glass from smaller generations to increasingly larger substrates to meet the rising demand for bigger television displays.

“As screen sizes grew, we worked closely with customers to deliver thinner, stronger glass with higher surface quality and tighter edge specifications,” Ho says. Today, the largest generation used in Taiwan, Gen 8.6, produces glass sheets measuring 2,250 by 2,600 millimeters, enabling customers to cut multiple large-format displays from a single substrate.

With the rise of smartphones, Corning established the Corning Advanced Technology Center in Taipei to help customers address challenges in panel integration, lamination, and cover glass performance. The company also built the Corning Research Center Taiwan within ITRI’s campuses, which brought scientists and materials experts from the United States to collaborate with local engineers, academia, and industry partners.”

Throughout the company’s expansion, Corning’s people have remained central to its success. Ho emphasizes that Corning has long viewed Taiwan not as an offshore manufacturing base but as part of its corporate home — a philosophy reflected in its investment in local talent.

“In the early years, Corning sent Taiwanese engineers to Japan, Korea, and the United States for extensive training, enabling them to become the ‘seed engineers’ to help launch Taiwan operations,” says Ho. “Today, Taiwan’s engineers are frequently called upon by teams in China, Korea, and Japan to help start-up troubleshoot technical challenges.”

The company’s dedication to cultivating the next generation of innovators extends beyond the workplace into STEM engagement across local communities. Free summer camps designed for elementary students near its Tainan and Taichung sites give access to hands-on science and technology activities. At the high school level, Corning has participated in the National Science Fair for more than a decade, sponsoring a dedicated Corning Award and having company scientists review student proposals.

Meanwhile, the Corning Future Innovator program challenges university students to apply Corning materials to solve everyday problems. “We visit campuses across Taiwan to introduce the program, guide students through feasibility workshops, and help them refine how they present their innovations,” says Ho.

Looking ahead, Ho expects Taiwan to play an increasingly important role as industries evolve toward AI, advanced materials, and next-generation semiconductor technologies.

“We have been involved in semiconductor manufacturing since the earliest days of EUV lithography, supplying the specialized glass used in critical optical systems,” says Ho. “We already support major semiconductor customers in Taiwan, but as AI continues to drive demand for data centers, our leadership in optical fiber will help address the growing need for fiber-based solutions,” he says.

Corning envisions the integration of AI and display technologies to be the next boom in technological development. As more devices incorporate AI, the need for advanced displays will increase, reinforcing the relevance of Taiwan’s panel industry and Corning’s local partnerships. “This trend mirrors our broader philosophy: innovation cannot occur in isolation,” says Ho. The company’s history of engagement across the technology ecosystem will shape its future with the same continuity that has characterized its past.

“Twenty-five years is just the beginning of a longer and more ambitious journey,” says Ho. He views the decades ahead as “an opportunity to deepen our contributions and grow alongside the partners that have defined our success since day one.”