BRUSSELS, Nov 6 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators

opened on Wednesday an investigation into U.S. glass maker

Corning's exclusive supply deals with mobile phone

makers and raw glass processing companies on concerns that these

may exclude rival glass producers from large segments of the

market.

The European Commission said it would assess whether Corning

abused its dominant position in the global market for glass used

mainly in mobile phones.

"We are investigating if Corning, a major producer of this

special glass, may have tried to exclude rival glass producers,

thereby depriving consumers from cheaper and more

break-resistant glass," EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager

said in a statement.

The EU investigation will focus on exclusive sourcing

obligations, exclusivity rebates and clauses requiring phone

makers to inform Corning about competitive offers and accepting

these offers only if Corning fails to match the price,

regulators said.

The probe will also look into Corning's deals with companies

that process raw glass that include exclusive purchase

obligations and no challenge clauses.

The EU competition watchdog said Corning, which sells a

break resistant glass used as cover for mobile phones, tablets

and smartwatches under the Gorilla Glass brand, may now offer

concessions to address its concerns.

Companies risk fines as much as 10% of their global turnover

for breaching EU antitrust rules.