Handcrafted, solar-powered lanterns and light carafes made from 100 % recycled glass from South Africa
Sonnenglas GmbH
Meldorf · Schwerte · Johannesburg · Appenzell · Fort LauderdaleNew on Amplifa
About Sonnenglas
Sonnenglas is a social enterprise based in Germany that manufactures solar-powered lanterns, SOMO solar lights, light carafes and related accessories. Production is carried out by hand in South Africa: the glass bodies made from 100 % recycled glass from collected bottles are crafted by glassblowers at partner company Ngwenya Glass in Eswatini. In Johannesburg, the assembly and artistic finishing of the products takes place, among other things through wire and bead art as well as floristry elements from partner companies such as Kent Flowers from the Western Cape. The company was founded in 2013 in Johannesburg against the backdrop of frequent power outages in South Africa and pursues the motto "Trade instead of Aid" with Fair Trade-certified jobs. In Germany, Stiftung Mensch in Meldorf handles shipping in the DACH region; further locations exist in Schwerte, Appenzell (fiscal representation) and Fort Lauderdale (US company). Products are sold to end customers and business customers in numerous countries.
- Site
- Meldorf
- Processes
- Glassblowing (100% recycled glass, at partner Ngwenya Glass), Handcrafting / assembly of solar lanterns and accessories (handwork, wire and bead art), Spare parts and exchange program, Product support, B2B sales, Gift sets
- Materials
- Recycled glass (100% from collected bottles), Recycled glass, Wire and bead art, Textile/Floristry, Solar technology (SOMO Gen6)
- Founded
- 2013
- Industries
- Solar lighting, Consumer goods/commerce, Social enterprise
- 01
Collection and recycling of glass bottles
- 02
Glassblowing at partner Ngwenya Glass (Eswatini)
- 03
Handcrafting and artistic finishing in Johannesburg (wire and
- 04
Assembly of the solar modules and lanterns
- 05
Shipping and logistics DACH by Stiftung Mensch (Meldorf)
- 06
Sales and support Germany/Switzerland/USA
Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Recycled glass
100 % from collected bottles, blown into lantern and carafe bodies at Ngwenya Glass in Eswatini.
Wire and bead art
Handcrafted handles, grips and figures made of wire and beads by artists in Johannesburg.
Textile/Floristry
Artfully crafted decorative elements by partner Kent Flowers from the Western Cape.
Solar technology (SOMO Gen6)
Efficient solar modules of the sixth generation as the light source for lanterns and SOMO products.
Locations
Meldorf
DELogistics/shipping DACH (c/o Stiftung Mensch)
Schwerte
DEBusiness address (Daimlerstraße 26)
Johannesburg
ZAFactory Shop/production (Victoria Yards)
Appenzell
CHFiscal representation (c/o cmt ag)
Fort Lauderdale
USUS company SNGLS US LLC
Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glassblowing (100% recycled glass, at partner Ngwenya Glass)Casting | – | – | – | – | Recycled glass |
| Handcrafting / assembly of solar lanterns and accessories (handwork, wire and bead art)Assembly | – | – | – | – | Glass, Wire, Beads, Textile |
Additional services
History
- 2013
Founding of Sonnenglas in Johannesburg, South Africa, in response to frequent power outages (load shedding)