As a global leader in the environmental home appliance industry, Coway has been helping make homes the world over that little bit better for the past 36 years. Since pioneering its first water purifiers in 1989, the company has expanded its portfolio to include air purifiers, bidets and more, establishing itself as South Korea’s leading brand in the sector. With a growing presence in such markets as the United States, Europe, Thailand and Malaysia, Coway continues, to this day, to redefine wellness technologies on the global stage.
As we celebrate Coway’s 36th anniversary, this year’s ‘Coway Day’ is the perfect opportunity to reflect upon those milestones that have made Coway what it is — a global tech wellness company with solutions for better living at its core.
First Steps: Laying the Foundation for Innovation
Founded in 1989, Coway began its journey to international renown by developing water purifiers for the South Korean market. Understanding the importance of clean and safe water, Coway made filtration technology its core focus during product development.
In 1992, the company established the Environmental Technology Research Institute, Coway’s research and development (R&D) center, in order to advance its expertise in filtration technology. This move kept Coway at the forefront of water purification innovation, with years of dedicated research culminating, in 2008, in the center becoming the first in South Korea to obtain the Recognized Testing Laboratory (RTL) certification from the Water Quality Association (WQA).
Coway’s R&D capabilities have been pivotal to its success in the market. The center oversees every stage of product development, from initial research and product design to reliability tests and customer satisfaction evaluations. Coway also operates an overseas R&D system in order to create products tailored to specific markets, thus ensuring that its innovations are able to meet a diverse range of global needs.
Growing Stronger: Broadening Horizons in Korea
Ever since the launch of its rental service in the South Korean market in 1998, Coway’s dedication to innovative technologies and customer-centered services has been the driving factor behind the growth of these rental accounts. Starting with 500,000 rental accounts in 2000, the company surpassed 3 million in 2004 and then expanded to 5 million by 2011, solidifying Coway’s leadership in the industry.
In order to further innovate in the South Korean market, the company also diversified its product lineup, including air purifiers and bidets, applying the same commitment to advanced technology and user-friendly design as seen with its water purifier lineup. Coway’s air purifiers, known for their sleek aesthetics and high-performance filtration, quickly gained market popularity.
Today, Coway dominates the South Korean environmental home appliances market. Key achievements by the company include 27 consecutive years as Korea’s top water purifier brand and 23 consecutive years as Korea’s top air purifier and bidet brand, respectively, as per the Korea Brand Power Index (K-BPI).
Thriving Globally: A Leader in Wellness Technologies
Coway’s remarkable success extends far beyond South Korea. The company’s global expansion began in the 2000s, including the establishment of its Thailand and Malaysia subsidiaries, some of its largest international markets. In 2007, Coway expanded its reach across the Pacific, establishing Coway USA.
In the 2010s, the company’s global growth only continued to accelerate. Coway's annual exports surpassed one million units in 2014, marking a major milestone in its international expansion and a sign of success which was further solidified by the company's growing reputation for innovation. Since 2016, Coway has consistently been recognized at CES, the world's largest consumer electronics show, having accumulated a total of 28 CES Innovation Awards to date.
Coway officially entered the European market in 2021, bringing the company’s three decades of expertise in air purification to a new audience. While Coway’s full product lineup is well-known across Asia and the U.S., the company’s focus, since 2021, has been on introducing high-performance air purifiers designed specifically to meet the needs of European homes.
As of March 2025, Coway has exceeded 10.3 million rental accounts worldwide, with 6.71 million accounts in South Korea and 3.62 million internationally. This global success can also be seen in the company’s 2024 revenue figures, which surpassed KRW 4.3 trillion.
The Future: Shaping Tomorrow’s Wellness Solutions
Looking to the future, Coway aims to strengthen its global presence even further. Dedicated to creating healthy and convenient living environments for all its consumers, the company plans to introduce next-generation products worldwide.
With awareness around the importance of such causes as air pollution and general wellness growing, Coway’s European presence continues to evolve, with upcoming launches featuring products and services designed not only for performance but also for aesthetic preferences and environmental standards.
Coway is committed to continuous growth, targeting revenue goals that exceed KRW 5 trillion by 2027. The company’s strategic focus includes advancing core businesses, expanding global operations and exploring new business initiatives. To further enhance wellness and comfort for its consumers, in 2022, Coway launched BEREX, an integrated brand specializing in mattresses and massage chair products designed to improve sleep quality and overall well-being.
As Coway continues to shape the future of wellness technology, it remains dedicated to innovation, quality and creating the ‘best life solutions’ for consumers all around the globe.
About Coway Co., Ltd.
Established in Korea in 1989, Coway, the "Best Life Solution Company," is a leading environmental home appliances company making people's lives healthy and comfortable with innovative home appliances such as water purifiers, air purifiers, bidets, and mattresses. The company's most recent venture, the BEREX brand, aims to improve sleep and wellness through cutting-edge mattresses and massage chairs. Since being founded, Coway has become a leader in the environmental home appliances industry, with intensive research, engineering, development, and customer service. The company has proven dedication to innovation with award-winning products, home health expertise, unrivaled market share, customer satisfaction, and brand recognition. Coway continues to innovate by diversifying product lines and accelerating overseas business in Malaysia, USA, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and Europe, based on the business success in Korea. For more information, please visit http://www.coway.com/ or http://newsroom.coway.com.
