CORNING, N.Y., March 30, 2006 -- Corning Inc. announced yesterday that it will spend approximately $15 million to expand the manufacturing capabilities for clean-air products at Corning Shanghai Co. Ltd. (CSCL) in Shanghai, China. Corning said its board of directors recently approved the capital expenditure, which will increase the manufacturing capability of the facility to meet anticipated demand for Corning advanced ceramic substrates for light-duty vehicle applications, including thin-wall products that deliver higher performance for emission reductions. The expansion is expected to be fully operational by mid-2007. "The tightening of emissions standards in Asia and around the world continues to drive demand for Corning clean-air products," said Thomas Appelt, vice president and general manager, Corning Automotive Technologies. "Through the expansion of our facility in China, we will be better able to supply clean-air products to our global customers, while still maintaining a strong presence in China." In China, demand for cleaner vehicles is being driven by the Euro III and upcoming Euro IV regulations that will require lower emissions. Tighter global regulations, along with growth in the China economy, make China an attractive market for Corning, the company said. CSCL, which is wholly owned by Corning, is a high-tech emissions control substrate facility that first began shipping products in early 2001, according to the company. In addition to manufacturing advanced substrates, CSCL also includes sales, marketing and engineering operations that service Corning's customers in China and throughout Asia. Corning is a supplier of advanced catalytic converter substrates and particulate filters, supplying worldwide manufacturers of gasoline and diesel engines and vehicles. The company said it invented a cellular ceramic substrate in the early 1970s that is now the standard for catalytic converters worldwide. Corning said it also developed the cellular ceramic particulate filter to remove soot from diesel engine emissions in 1978. For more information, visit: www.corning.com