Duralex, a French glass manufacturer known for its resilient glassware, recently launched a crowdfunding appeal for €5 million (approximately £4.4 million) to ensure the company’s sustainability. The target was reached in under six hours, and pledges have since surpassed €19 million within two days, surprising company officials. François Marciano, the director general, stated they had anticipated a longer fundraising period.
The company operates as a staff cooperative, which limits the amount of public investment it can accept due to regulatory constraints. Duralex is often associated with nostalgia among the French populace, representing not just a product but a part of the cultural fabric. Marciano noted that this response reflects a wider desire among French consumers to preserve local industries.
Duralex has experienced financial challenges over the past two decades, including multiple periods of receivership, the most recent resulting in a staff buyout 18 months ago. Currently, approximately 180 of Duralex’s 243 employees are part of the cooperative.
The appeal has also led to a surge in orders, according to union representative Suliman El Moussaoui. The production process, which has seen little change since the firm’s inception in 1945, involves heating a secret mixture of materials at high temperatures. Duralex’s iconic Picardie glass, regarded as an efficient design, is a staple in French canteens.
The funds raised will be allocated to modernizing the factory and developing new products, including a collaboration with the Élysée presidential palace. Furthermore, Duralex plans to explore international markets, focusing on producing pint glasses for British pubs and restaurants. The company aims to break even by 2027, according to Marciano, as they seek to sustain operations amidst increasing energy costs.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/22/french-people-want-to-save-us-help-pours-glassmaker-duralex