Chennai Becomes Electronics Manufacturing Focus With Bigtech Gorilla Glass Unit Opening
Chennai has strengthened its position as a key electronics manufacturing hub with the inauguration of Bigtech’s Gorilla Glass production unit near Pillaipakkam in Kancheepuram district. The ₹1,003 crore facility, a joint venture between US-based Corning and Indian firm Optiemus, is expected to boost high-value employment, attract further investments, and enhance the state’s role in global electronics supply chains, underlining Tamil Nadu’s strategic focus on advanced technology and industrial growth.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin emphasised the project’s potential to generate quality jobs and foster innovation. He highlighted that global investors’ confidence in the state has created an environment conducive to advanced manufacturing, encouraging companies to establish operations with transparency and speed. “We aim to ensure this initiative focuses on creating high-value opportunities for our youth while reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s technological capabilities,” he noted.Industry analysts point out that the Bigtech facility is part of a broader electronics growth narrative. Tamil Nadu accounts for 41% of India’s electronics exports, reaching USD 14.65 billion, and has witnessed nearly nine-fold expansion over the past four years. The new plant, producing Gorilla Glass for smartphones, reinforces the state’s reputation as India’s electronics capital while signalling readiness to integrate cutting-edge production into its industrial ecosystem.The government has implemented several policies to attract such investments, including the Electronic Components Manufacturing initiative, which aims to bring the complete value chain—from design to production—into Tamil Nadu. Regions such as Kancheepuram, Hosur, Coimbatore, Trichy, and Tirunelveli have become focal points for global electronics companies, while an upcoming Electronics Manufacturing Cluster in Thoothukudi promises world-class port connectivity and logistics support for future projects.
Officials present at the inauguration included Corning Gorilla Glass executives, senior state representatives, and industry association leaders, highlighting the collaborative framework between international technology providers and domestic manufacturing partners. Their presence reinforced Tamil Nadu’s positioning as a reliable destination for strategic investments in high-tech sectors.Beyond economic gains, experts note that the facility presents opportunities to embed sustainability and responsible industrial practices in high-tech manufacturing. Energy-efficient production, waste minimisation, and environmentally conscious sourcing can align with Tamil Nadu’s broader urban and industrial development goals, ensuring growth that is inclusive, low-carbon, and resilient.
As Chennai solidifies its status as a global electronics hub, projects like Bigtech’s Gorilla Glass unit exemplify the city’s ambition to balance industrial competitiveness with social and environmental responsibility. The facility not only marks a significant milestone in high-value manufacturing but also underscores the state’s long-term vision of fostering innovation-led, sustainable industrial ecosystems.
