Corning Breaks Ground for Clean Air Products Plant in China; U.S. Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley Attends Event.

SHANGHAI, CHINA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 1999--Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today broke ground for its new, US$77 million environmental products facility in Shanghai, China. U. S. Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley, joined Corning executives and Chinese dignitaries at today's event.

The ceremony took place at the Pudong, Shanghai site, where construction of Corning's Asian regional manufacturing and marketing facility will begin this summer. The wholly owned Corning facility will produce ceramic catalytic converter substrates for automobiles, trucks, buses and motorcycles. Shipments of these clean-air products to Asian automobile manufacturers will begin in early 2001.

"Tightening environmental regulations in China and Asia, as well as stronger Asian automotive output from an increasing standard of living will double the demand for catalytic converter substrates by 2003," said Roger G. Ackerman, Corning's chairman and chief executive officer. "Added to the Japanese market, this represents a tremendous opportunity in Asia. Corning will be in position to take advantage of this growing demand and supply automobile manufacturers in Asia with our advanced cellular ceramic substrate, a leading product in the market."

U.S. Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley said, "Corning's impressive commitment to environmental protection will have a positive impact on the commercial and economic relationship between our two countries and significantly encourage China's efforts at social and economic reform."

In addition to manufacturing, the state-of-the-art Corning plant will also include sales, marketing and engineering operations for the company's advanced ceramic catalytic converter substrates. The facility, in Pudong's Jinqiao industrial zone, will supply automobile manufacturers throughout Asia, while meeting the specific needs of China's vehicle producers.

"This new regional facility provides Corning with the capability, in people, processes, and in capacity, to support our customers with the same level of superior quality and commitment wherever they choose to operate," said Adriane M. Brown, vice president and general manager of Corning's Environmental Products Division. "We are extremely pleased that our new Shanghai operation will help vehicle manufacturers from around the world in their quest to put cleaner vehicles on roads throughout Asia."

The new China facility will join Corning's global network serving automobile manufacturers worldwide. Today, the company manufactures catalytic converter substrates in Erwin, New York (U.S.A.); Blacksburg, Virginia (U.S.A.); and Kaiserslautern, Germany. Corning currently operates 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, Michigan; and Corning, New York.

Cellular ceramic substrates are used at the core of catalytic converters. When coated with a catalyst, the unit converts noxious exhaust gases to harmless 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. Corning manufactures optical fiber, cable and components, high-performance glass and components for television, and other electronic displays for communications and communications related-industries. Corning also manufactures advanced materials for scientific and environmental markets. Corning's total revenues in 1998 were $3.5 billion. More information on the company is available at www.corning.com, Corning's website.