Soda-lime Glass

Soda-lime Glass, also called soda-lime-silica glass, is the most prevalent type of glass used for windowpanes and glass containers (bottles and jars) for beverages, food, and some commodity items. In the tableware industry, it is the standard material for everyday drinking vessels.

It is made by melting raw materials, such as silica (sand), soda (sodium carbonate), and lime (calcium oxide) at high temperatures.

• High Clarity: Offers excellent light transmission, showcasing the color of the beverage inside.
• Cost-Effective: Due to the abundance of raw materials, it is significantly more affordable than Borosilicate Glass or Crystal.
• Versatility: It can be tempered to increase strength or molded into infinite decorative shapes and colors.
• Recyclability: It is 100% recyclable and can be remelted indefinitely without loss of quality.

• Low Thermal Resistance: Unlike borosilicate, it has a high coefficient of thermal expansion, making it prone to “thermal shock” (cracking) when exposed to sudden temperature changes.
• Heavier Weight: Generally feels more substantial and heavier in the hand than borosilicate glass.

[Image of molecular structure difference between Soda-lime and Borosilicate glass]

• Everyday Glassware: Water tumblers, juice glasses, and pint glasses.
• Food Storage: Standard glass jars and non-oven-safe containers.
• Barware: Shot glasses and sturdy cocktail mixers.

• Dishwasher Safe: Most soda-lime glassware is top-rack dishwasher safe.
• Avoid Boiling Water: Never pour boiling water directly into a cold soda-lime glass, as it will likely shatter.
• Stacking Caution: Avoid stacking glasses unless they are specifically designed to be “stackable,” as they may become stuck or scratched.

• Libbey (USA) - One of the largest producers of durable, everyday glassware in the world.
• Duralex (France) - Iconic for their tempered soda-lime Picardie glasses.
• Ocean Glass (Thailand) - A leading manufacturer of high-quality glassware in Asia.
• IKEA (Sweden) - Famous for making functional soda-lime glassware accessible globally.