Induction heating (IH) cooktops have become increasingly popular as cooking appliances that do not use open flames. According to a survey by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, the household penetration rate has reached 25.2% (including electric cooktops other than IH), meaning that roughly one in four households now uses an electric cooking appliance. In recent years, however, the appearance and role of IH cooktops have been undergoing a significant transformation.

Driven by the trend towards smart kitchens, IH cooktops are now expected to offer not only sophisticated design but also the advanced functionality characteristic of smart home appliances. One of the key elements enabling this evolution is the super heat-resistant glass-ceramic used for the top plate.In Japan, glass-ceramics are used in the vast majority of IH cooktop top plates because they combine aesthetic appeal with excellent heat resistance and resistance to thermal shock.

StellaShine™, developed by NEG (Nippon Electric Glass), is the leading brand in Japan’s transparent glass-ceramic market for IH cooktop plates. The reason so many appliance manufacturers choose StellaShine™ lies in NEG’s proprietary manufacturing process, which combines transparent glass-ceramics with advanced printing technology.

Why has StellaShine™ been adopted by so many manufacturers? This article explores how StellaShine™ is transforming appliance design and introduces the next-generation model, StellaShine™ Mono.

IH cooktops are one of the most frequently used kitchen appliances, and they are expected to excel simultaneously in design, functionality, and control performance.

The top plate serves as the “face” of the kitchen. While black was once the only option, brighter colors such as silver and pink have become increasingly popular in recent years.

In addition, users can now choose between glossy and matte finishes. Glossy surfaces are smooth, free of unevenness, and characterized by a sleek, lustrous appearance that creates a modern, refined impression. Matte finishes, on the other hand, offer a softer texture with reduced shine, making them well suited to calm, understated kitchen spaces.

Flat operation surfaces enabled by touch sensors are another important factor enhancing design. By eliminating protruding push buttons, manufacturers can achieve a smart, minimalist appearance.

Modern IH cooktops increasingly allow users to check settings not only on side control panels but also directly on LCD and LED displays integrated into the top plate. Touch-sensor operation and precise temperature control have also become more common.

The display area of the top plate shows heating status, temperature, and cooking time, allowing users to grasp cooking conditions at a glance. Some models are designed so that displays remain transparent and unobtrusive when not in use, appearing only during operation, thereby preserving the overall aesthetics of the kitchen.

Capacitive touch controls, which respond to a light touch, have become mainstream, significantly improving usability. From a maintenance perspective, the absence of physical buttons makes it easier to wipe away dirt, simplifying daily cleaning.

Advances in heater control technology have made temperature management more precise, enabling better results for deep-frying and low-temperature cooking. Some models are also equipped with optical heat sensors that detect temperature and automatically adjust heating levels.

As a result, IH cooktops are no longer merely substitutes for gas stoves. User needs have diversified and become increasingly sophisticated.

NEG’s StellaShine™ is a super heat-resistant glass-ceramic developed for cooktop plates, offering both outstanding functionality and a high degree of design freedom. It is a highly popular series that holds the top share of the domestic market in Japan.

StellaShine™ has earned high praise across all three dimensions required of IH cooktops: design, functionality, and performance. Rather than serving merely as a top plate material, it is increasingly used as a key component that supports high-value UI/UX design*.

Globally, the most widely used cooktop top plate material remains conventional black glass-ceramic (glass mixed with black pigment), primarily because of its lower cost. While StellaShine achieved superior aesthetics and rich color variations through multilayer printing, its more complex manufacturing process posed cost challenges.

To address this issue, NEG developed StellaShine™ Mono.

StellaShine™ Mono is a model in which a single, high-end pure black color is printed onto transparent glass-ceramic using a special coating material. This approach simplifies processing and printing steps, successfully achieving an optimal balance between display performance and cost.

As with current StellaShine™ products, StellaShine™ Mono allows selective transparency only in areas for optical sensors, full-color LEDs, and LCD displays. Its compatibility with smart appliance designs is fully retained.

Centered on StellaShine™ Mono, which combines high display performance with cost efficiency, NEG is accelerating supply expansion to overseas manufacturers.

The global smart kitchen market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.3%, reaching a scale of USD 76 billion by 2033 (according to Spherical Insights & Consulting). Overseas markets are also seeing rapid advancements in appliance intelligence and functionality through the adoption of LCD touch panels, IR sensors, and remote control features.

NEG has successfully expanded its domestic market share by responding closely to the detailed needs of appliance manufacturers in Japan. By combining this track record with the advantages of StellaShine™ Mono and addressing the requirements of overseas manufacturers, NEG is now taking on the challenge of global market expansion.

IH cooktops are appliances we use casually every day, yet their top plates embody NEG’s advanced technologies. As materials that support displays and touch operation, top plates are beginning to play a crucial role in redefining the appearance and usability of home appliances.

“With StellaShine™ Mono, we wanted more people around the world to experience this value.”
Guided by this vision, NEG developed a high-performance glass top plate that balances cost and functionality. By meeting the needs of overseas appliance manufacturers, NEG aims to extend its domestic success to global markets.

Going forward, the StellaShine™ series will continue to pursue an optimal balance of usability and visual beauty, with design, functionality, and performance at its core.