Corning expands investment in Shanghai's Jiading with new production base

Corning scales up its operations in Jiading with new project targeting $1 billion output. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]

Global materials science leader Corning has signed an agreement to establish a new production base in Shanghai's Jiading district, expanding its investment in China through a high-precision fiber optic connector harness production project.

The new facility, located in the Jiading Industrial Zone, is set to become a world-class optical interconnect manufacturing base with annual output valued at $1 billion. Corning plans to invest 200 million yuan ($294,365.89) and lease more than 14,000 square meters of factory space for the project.

Corning first established its optical communications business in Jiading in 2010 and has expanded steadily over the past 15 years. The company's local operations reported revenue of 943 million yuan in 2024, rising to 2.46 billion yuan in 2025.

Driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and intelligent computing, demand for high-density, low-latency optical interconnect products has surged. The new production base is expected to add annual capacity of 400 million optical cable connectors, supporting AI computing infrastructure worldwide.

"We hope this project will serve as a new starting point for deeper cooperation in quantum communications, advanced optics, and AI-powered manufacturing," said Lin Chunmei, president and general manager of Corning Greater China.

Local officials said Jiading provided dedicated support throughout the project, including site selection, leasing, environmental approvals, and recruitment, helping accelerate construction and production.

The investment is expected to strengthen Jiading's growing AI and advanced manufacturing ecosystem while attracting more companies in the optical communications supply chain, further reinforcing Shanghai's position in high-end optical connectivity and AI computing infrastructure.

Corning selects Jiading's intelligent manufacturing park for its new production base. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]