STORY
15 Million Times Trust: Coway Water Purifiers Mark Latest Significant Milestone
2025.08.13
Coway, the “Best Life Solution Company”, has reached another historic milestone with the cumulative sales of over 15 million water purifiers in South Korea alone, a figure equivalent to one-third of the nation’s population. This achievement underscores the company's longstanding market leadership and is a testament to Coway’s ongoing innovation in clean water technology since the launch of its very first purifier in 1990.
To put this figure into perspective, a hypothetical lineup of 15 million of Coway’s best-selling water purifiers placed end-to-end, each being approximately 38.5 cm tall, would stretch roughly 5,800 kilometers, a distance equivalent to the height of Mount Everest if it were to be stacked 660 times over — a truly vivid illustration of the company’s scale and reach.
Shaping the Market Through Disruption and Innovation
Since its early days, Coway has continually been reshaping the landscape of South Korea’s home appliance market. In 1998, the company pioneered the country’s first rental-based business model for water purifiers, making clean drinking water more accessible through regular cleaning services, even during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. This rental business model, now widely regarded as one of the first examples of the subscription economy, helped transform the water purifier’s status from a luxury item to a household essential.
(Upper) Coway Icon Water Purifier 2, (Lower) Coway Icon Ice Water Purifier
Coway Global Network
To put this figure into perspective, a hypothetical lineup of 15 million of Coway’s best-selling water purifiers placed end-to-end, each being approximately 38.5 cm tall, would stretch roughly 5,800 kilometers, a distance equivalent to the height of Mount Everest if it were to be stacked 660 times over — a truly vivid illustration of the company’s scale and reach.
Shaping the Market Through Disruption and Innovation
Since its early days, Coway has continually been reshaping the landscape of South Korea’s home appliance market. In 1998, the company pioneered the country’s first rental-based business model for water purifiers, making clean drinking water more accessible through regular cleaning services, even during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. This rental business model, now widely regarded as one of the first examples of the subscription economy, helped transform the water purifier’s status from a luxury item to a household essential.
(Upper) Coway Icon Water Purifier 2, (Lower) Coway Icon Ice Water Purifier
South Korea’s first self-sterilizing water purifier in 2011; a compact direct-dispensing model in 2012; the world’s first tankless water purifier, also in 2012; and a sparkling water purifier combining carbonation with purification in 2014. These milestones have cemented Coway’s role as a pioneer in redefining how people consume water at home.
Premium Designs with Proven Success
More recently, the introduction of the company’s Icon Water Purifier Series has further solidified Coway’s premium positioning within the market. Compact and performance-driven, the Icon Water Purifier Series has achieved over 1.6 million cumulative unit sales. (Read the full feature on the Series here.)
Premium Designs with Proven Success
More recently, the introduction of the company’s Icon Water Purifier Series has further solidified Coway’s premium positioning within the market. Compact and performance-driven, the Icon Water Purifier Series has achieved over 1.6 million cumulative unit sales. (Read the full feature on the Series here.)
Coway Global Network
On the global stage, Coway's market presence is also expanding at a rapid pace. With seven overseas subsidiaries spanning Southeast Asia as well as the United States, the company has been accelerating its growth across markets the world over. In Malaysia, the company already leads the market with the No.1 share in water purifiers, and is steadily increasing its presence in such neighboring countries as Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
From 15 Million to the Next Trillion
Coway’s 15-million-unit milestone comes hot on the heels of other strong business performance results, with the company having already surpassed KRW 4 trillion in annual revenue. With its sights set on reaching KRW 5 trillion, Coway continues to expand its portfolio, including its burgeoning sleep and wellness brand, BEREX, while remaining steadfast to its commitment to enhance the lives of consumers worldwide through innovative health and wellness solutions.
From 15 Million to the Next Trillion
Coway’s 15-million-unit milestone comes hot on the heels of other strong business performance results, with the company having already surpassed KRW 4 trillion in annual revenue. With its sights set on reaching KRW 5 trillion, Coway continues to expand its portfolio, including its burgeoning sleep and wellness brand, BEREX, while remaining steadfast to its commitment to enhance the lives of consumers worldwide through innovative health and wellness solutions.
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