In November last year, Apple has confirmed the intention to open a factory for processing of minerals together with experts from GT Advanced. The Corporation invested in the project, according to some reports, more than half a billion dollars. As it became known on Monday, GT Advanced filed for bankruptcy protection.
According to Bloomberg, the Arizona Court of registered application GT Advanced Technologies, manufacturer of sapphire glass, of declaring bankruptcy, follows from the information posted on the website of the company. As a rule, companies are going to take this step because of financial problems, but GT Advanced counts so freely to restructure the business and to conclude new agreements with its creditors.
Apple has invested in the factory GT Advanced $ 578 million , which will create about 2,000 jobs. Of these, 700 people are employed in manufacturing, and the other in the construction and deployment of complex equipment. These investments will be compensated for 5 years, starting in 2015. Signing the contract with GT Advanced Technologies, Apple got exclusive access to technology partner.
Contrary to the expectations and projections of industry experts, screens released in September iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is not protected from artificial sapphire glass and ion-tempered glass. According to the Wall Street Forensics, the blame for this lies with the industrial partners of Apple, which is not coped with the task of processing the sapphire.
It is worth noting that the defense did not get a sapphire not only the new iPhone 6, but one type of "smart" watches Watch - Apple Watch Sport. Sport lineup in the protection of the screen relies on reinforced glass Ion-X.
Apple uses sapphire for protection against scratches and damage located in the button "Home" fingerprint scanner Touch ID and camera lenses. It is noteworthy that Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition sapphire glass is also used for heart rate sensor located on the back surface of watches.