UNITED States-based Corning Inc has doubled production capacity of its auto emission control devices in China as the nation implements stricter emission standards to curb pollution.

The expansion of the plant in suburban Shanghai cost US$15 million, bringing its total investment in the country to US$3 billion, Corning, the world's biggest maker of glass for liquid crystal display screens, said yesterday. The plant makes ceramic substrates, the core of catalytic converters used in auto emission control systems. No figure was disclosed on production capacity. The products are used in light-duty cars like compact models and vans.

Thomas Appelt, vice president and general manager of its automotive technologies division, expected the China market for their products will grow by at least 20 percent a year, which is in line with the growth of the country's auto output.