IKEA (Glassware)

While primarily a furniture retailer, IKEA is arguably the world's largest seller of glassware by volume. Guided by their philosophy of “Democratic Design” (Form, Function, Quality, Sustainability, and Low Price), IKEA has revolutionized how the world consumes soda-lime glass.

The IKEA 365+ series is the cornerstone of their kitchenware.

• Material: Most 365+ glasses are made of tempered soda-lime glass, offering similar durability to Duralex but at a lower price point.
• Design: Designed to handle both hot (coffee) and cold drinks, making them true multi-purpose vessels for minimalist living.

• POKAL: The faceted glass (often in turquoise, pink, or clear) creates a classic “bistro” look for under $2. Its shape allows it to be held comfortably even with hot liquids (though not insulated).
• GODIS: Simple, straight-sided glasses that exemplify Scandinavian minimalism.

IKEA is a leader in reducing the environmental impact of glass production. They have pioneered techniques to lower the melting temperature of soda-lime glass (saving energy) and are aggressively increasing the percentage of recycled glass in their collections.

A key requirement for IKEA glassware design is “stackability.” Most of their tumblers are engineered with a specific angle or internal ridge to ensure they stack efficiently in flat-packed shipping boxes and in customers' cupboards.

— See Also:

• Tempered Glass in Mass Production
• The Universal Tumbler