Packaging in 2025: the big picture
India's packaging market continued to expand in 2025, with unit volumes rising across most of the food, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, beauty and personal care, home care and pet food categories covered in this report. Growth was supported by urbanisation, rising incomes, the shift from loose to branded goods, e-commerce and quick commerce, while affordable single-serve formats continued to extend packaged consumption across price-sensitive segments. Flexible sachets and pouches remained central to mass-market packaging, while PET bottles, liquid cartons and aluminium cans captured significant growth in beverages and selected premium segments.
2025 key trends
Two key trends stood out in 2025. First, regulation became the dominant force shaping packaging design. Under the amended Plastic Waste Management Rules, mandatory recycled-content thresholds, QR-code traceability, and the Central Pollution Control Board registration portal were layered onto the existing Extended Producer Responsibility framework and the 2022 single-use plastic ban. These measures pushed brands across every industry toward recyclable, mono-material, and recycled-content formats. Additionally, a March 2025 clearance from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) permitted recycled PET in food-contact packaging, further expanding available options.
Pouches, portion control and fibre define food packaging
In 2025, food packaging in India remained overwhelmingly a flexible story, even as sustainability and portion control reshaped the format mix. Dairy, one of the country's largest packaged food categories, grew 7% to 68,326 million units, dominated by thin-gauge film pouches for fresh milk, curd and buttermilk. Brand activity premiumised value-added dairy. Amul invested in an aseptic PET line for its Amul Kool flavoured-milk range, packaging supplier SIG opened its first Indian aseptic carton plant serving customers including Amul, KMF, Milky Mist and Heritage, and Nestlé reworked its Milkmaid condensed-milk pouch with an easy-pour, resealable spout. Confectionery, the single largest food packaging category by unit count at 127,107 million units, was essentially flat, edging up just less than 1% as cocoa inflation and shrinkflation offset demand, with flexible film accounting for almost all volume. Against this flexible-dominated backdrop, the market shifted toward fibre and recycled materials. ITC expanded its moulded-fibre and barrier-coated board capacity under its "no plastic, better plastic, less plastic" framework. Meanwhile, the FSSAI's March 2025 approval of recycled PET encouraged companies like Nestlé India to increase recycled content in their packaging jars.
Recycled-content PET and cartons combine sustainability with convenience
In 2025, Indian soft drinks packaging extended its strong run, with total retail volumes rising 13% to 42,512 million units as a hot summer, deepening rural distribution and the rapid expansion of modern retail and quick commerce sustained demand. Rigid plastic, overwhelmingly PET bottles, remained by far the largest pack type group at 29,471 million units, or around 69% of the total, valued for its durability, low cost, wide availability and rising recycled content. Liquid cartons were the fastest-growing group, up 15% to 7,161 million units on juice and value dairy-based drinks where shaped and brick formats suit ambient distribution, while metal beverage cans advanced 12% to 1,957 million units on energy drinks and ready-to-drink formats. The defining material development was the integration of recycled content into PET packaging. Starting 1 April 2025, a new mandate required beverage producers to incorporate at least 30% recycled plastic in rigid packaging—a threshold set to increase by 10 percentage points annually until reaching 60% by FY 2028–29. Alongside this mandate, the FSSAI issued guidelines governing food-grade recycled PET (rPET) and mandatory labelling requirements. Given the dominance of PET bottles in the category, these regulations accelerated demand for clear, single-material rPET designs and spurred investment in food-grade recycling capacity, even as limited supplies of certified recyclate posed an immediate challenge.
Canned beer and new can capacity reshape alcoholic drinks packaging
In 2025, alcoholic drinks packaging in India grew strongly, with total retail volumes up 4% to 21,353 million units, driven by rising disposable incomes, premiumisation and robust growth in beer and ready-to-drink products. Glass remained overwhelmingly dominant at 17,150 million units, reflecting the importance of bottles in whisky, other spirits and beer, with premiumisation sustaining demand for elaborate bottles. Metal grew 8% to 1,148 million units of mostly aluminium beverage cans, as younger consumers of legal drinking age and premium and craft beer drove growth in canned beer. Demand outpaced supply: from April 2025 a Bureau of Indian Standards quality-control order required beverage cans to be certified, and with Ball Beverage Packaging India and Can-Pack India at full domestic capacity, the Brewers' Association of India flagged an annual shortfall of 12–13 crore 500ml cans, equivalent to around a fifth of beer sales. Investment defined the year in response: CANPACK broke ground in January 2025 on a USD150 million third Indian can plant in Uttar Pradesh, while AGI Greenpac announced an INR1,000 crore move into aluminium cans targeting 1.6 billion cans a year. Recyclability remained a structural advantage, with industry estimates that up to 91% of beverage cans in India are recycled.
Recycled-content rules and sachet economics reshape beauty packaging
In 2025, beauty and personal care packaging in India grew 3% to 25,515 million units, supported by rising consumption of skin care, hair care and hygiene products across a young, fast-urbanising population and the continued reach of small, affordable pack sizes. Flexible packaging remained the largest group at 11,659 million units, or 46% of the total, reflecting the ubiquity of single-use sachets and pouches, led by flexible paper and flexible plastic in near-equal measure. Rigid plastic followed at 8,555 million units, dominated by squeezable plastic tubes, PET and HDPE bottles, while metal was the fastest-growing group, up 5% to 259 million units on aerosol cans and metal bottles, and glass rose 4% to 578 million units on premium skin care and fragrance. Sustainability and regulation defined the year. Major brands took action: Hindustan Unilever advanced its "less, better, no plastic" framework by resizing sachets, adding slim caps to Glow & Lovely tubes, and increasing post-consumer recycled content, while L’Oréal expanded its #JoinTheRefillMovement campaign.
Recycled-content rules and premiumisation drive home care packaging
In 2025, home care packaging in India grew 2% to 27,356 million units, supported by population growth, rising incomes and the deep penetration of single-use sachets across laundry care, dishwashing and surface care. Flexible packaging remained overwhelmingly dominant at 23,914 million units, or around 87% of the total, led by flexible plastic sachets, while paper-based folding cartons formed a sizeable group at 1,042 million units. Rigid plastic was the fastest-growing pack type group, up 7% to 2,196 million units, led by HDPE bottles in liquid detergents and dishwashing and PET bottles, as liquid home care formats premiumised. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has expanded post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic across its portfolio, with more than 25 brands, including Vim Dishwash, Surf Excel and Comfort, using PCR in packaging. It has also reduced virgin-plastic use through packaging redesign and, in March 2025, approved a 14.3% stake in recycled-flexibles specialist Lucro Plastecycle, completed in April. These initiatives align with India’s tightening plastic-waste rules, including recycled-content and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations. A key challenge remains making hard-to-recycle flexible packaging more recyclable while maintaining performance and cost.
Single-serve pouches, PET jars and mono-material films advance pet food packaging
In 2025, dog and cat food packaging in India grew 10% to 185 million units, boosted by strong performances in dry dog food, wet cat food and the fast-expanding cat treats and mixers segment, with metal the best-performing pack type, up 18% to 35 million units. Rising urban pet ownership and premiumisation favoured convenient, resealable and visually appealing packaging. Dry dog food gained as owners shifted to branded kibble from Pedigree and Drools, packaged in large laminated bags up to 20–22kg, while urban cat owners adopted single-serve wet-food pouches such as those used by Whiskas Tasty Mix in Gravy variants. PET jars in dog treats and mixers were a dynamic pack type in dog food, up 15%, while aluminium/plastic pouches in cat treats and mixers were up 31%, as Whiskas and Royal Canin expanded treat lines in stand-up pouches. Sustainability and regulation are reshaping packaging choices, with India permitting recycled PET for food-contact packaging and growing adoption of recyclable mono-material formats. In 2025, TOPPAN Speciality Films installed a hybrid BOPP–BOPE line in India to supply films for food and FMCG applications. Royal Canin opened a packaging facility in Maharashtra, while Reliance Consumer Products launched its value-focused Waggies pet food brand in November 2025.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Packaging industry in India with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of packaging types.
If you're in the Packaging industry in India, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Packaging in India report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Packaging in India?
- Which are the major pack types and how are they performing in India?
- Have there been any packaging legislative changes in the past 12 months?
- How are consumption trends impacting the packaging landscape?
- What are the key trends and latest product developments in packaging?
- How important are sustainability and recycling to consumers in India?
- Where is future growth expected to be most significant?
Packaging Industry in India
Packaging in 2025: the big picture
2025 key trends
Pouches, portion control and fibre define food packaging
Recycled-content PET and cartons combine sustainability with convenience
Canned beer and new can capacity reshape alcoholic drinks packaging
Recycled-content rules and sachet economics reshape beauty packaging
Recycled-content rules and premiumisation drive home care packaging
Single-serve pouches, PET jars and mono-material films advance pet food packaging
Rising compliance costs drive packaging innovation and differentiation
Single-use plastic limits and a recycled-content mandate accelerate sustainable packaging
Mandatory traceability and stricter plastic waste rules advance digital oversight
Extended producer responsibility underpins a shift to circular packaging models
Mono-material and recyclable pouches transform food and flexible packaging
Fibre and reduced-plastic formats expand in response to regulation and demand
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Packaging
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- Baby and Child-specific Products Packaging
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- Bar Soap
- Bath Additives
- Body Powder
- Body Wash/Shower Gel
- Hand Sanitisers
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- Intimate Washes
- Intimate Wipes
- Liquid Soap
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- Eye Liner/Pencil
- Eye Shadow
- Mascara
- Other Lash and Brow Make-Up
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- BB/CC Creams
- Blusher/Bronzer/Highlighter
- Foundation/Concealer
- Powder
- Other Facial Make-Up
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- Lip Gloss
- Lip Liner/Pencil
- Lipstick
- Other Lip Products
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- Nail Polish
- Nail Treatments/Strengthener
- Polish Remover
- Other Nail Products
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- Deodorant Creams
- Deodorant Pumps
- Deodorant Roll-Ons
- Deodorant Sprays
- Deodorant Sticks
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- Hair Removers/Bleaches
- Women's Pre-Shave
- Women's Razors and Blades
- Fragrances Packaging
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- 2-in-1 Products
- Colourants
- Conditioners and Treatments
- Perms and Relaxants
- Salon Professional Hair Care
- Standard Shampoos
- Styling Agents
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- Men's Post-Shave
- Men's Pre-Shave
- Men's Razors and Blades
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- Men's Bath and Shower
- Men's Deodorants
- Men's Hair Care
- Men's Skin Care
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- Dental Floss
- Denture Care
- Mouth Fresheners
- Mouthwashes/Dental Rinses
- Tooth Whiteners
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
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- Body Care
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- Face Masks
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- Liquid/Cream/Gel/Bar Cleansers
- Facial Cleansing Wipes
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- Basic Moisturisers
- Anti-Agers
- Lip Care
- Toners
- Hand Care
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- Adult Sun Care
- Baby and Child-specific Sun Care
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- Dark Beer
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- Flavoured/Mixed Lager
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- Domestic Lager
- Imported Lager
- Non/Low Alcohol Beer
- Stout
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- RTDs
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- Brandy and Cognac
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- Rum
- Tequila (and Mezcal)
- Whiskies
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- Fortified Wine and Vermouth
- Non-Grape Wine
- Sparkling Wine
- Still Light Grape Wine
- Non Alcoholic Wine
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- Fresh Coffee Beans
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- Fresh Ground Coffee Pods
- Standard Fresh Ground Coffee
- Instant Coffee
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- Black Tea
- Green Tea
- Fruit/Herbal Tea
- Instant Tea
- Other Tea
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- Flavoured Powder Drinks
- Other Plant-based Hot Drinks
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- Asian Speciality Drinks
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- Carbonated Bottled Water
- Flavoured Bottled Water
- Functional Bottled Water
- Still Bottled Water
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- Cola Carbonates
- Non-Cola Carbonates
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- Liquid Concentrates
- Powder Concentrates
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- 100% Juice
- Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice)
- Nectars
- Coconut and Other Plant Waters
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
- RTD Coffee
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- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
- Still RTD Tea
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- Cat Treats and Mixers
- Dry Cat Food
- Wet Cat Food
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- Dog Treats and Mixers
- Dry Dog Food
- Wet Dog Food
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- Dried Baby Food
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- Liquid Milk Formula
- Powder Milk Formula
- Prepared Baby Food
- Other Baby Food
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- Dessert Mixes
- Frozen Baked Goods
- Packaged Bread
- Packaged Cakes
- Packaged Pastries
- Dessert Pies and Tarts
- Breakfast Cereals Packaging
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- Chocolate Pouches and Bags
- Boxed Assortments
- Chocolate with Toys
- Countlines
- Seasonal Chocolate
- Tablets
- Other Chocolate Confectionery
- Gum
- Sugar Confectionery
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- Butter and Spreads
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- Processed Cheese
- Packaged Hard Cheese
- Soft Cheese
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- Flavoured Milk Drinks
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- Fresh Milk
- Shelf Stable Milk
- Goat Milk
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- Powder Milk
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- Sour Milk Products
- Yoghurt
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- Chilled and Shelf Stable Desserts
- Chilled Snacks
- Coffee Whiteners
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- Condensed Milk
- Cream
- Fromage Frais and Quark
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- Plant-based Milk
- Plant-based Yoghurt
- Plant-based Cheese
- Edible Oils Packaging
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- Frozen Yoghurt
- Impulse Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Take-Home Ice Cream
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- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Processed Potatoes
- Frozen Processed Vegetables
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- Shelf Stable Beans
- Shelf Stable Fruit
- Shelf Stable Tomatoes
- Shelf Stable Vegetables
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- Chilled Processed Meat
- Frozen Processed Meat
- Shelf Stable Meat
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- Chilled Processed Seafood
- Frozen Processed Seafood
- Shelf Stable Seafood
- Meat and Seafood Substitutes inc Tofu
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- Dried Ready Meals
- Shelf Stable Ready Meals
- Chilled Ready Meals
- Frozen Ready Meals
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- Chilled Pizza
- Frozen Pizza
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- Meal Kits
- Quick Recipe Kits
- Chilled Lunch Kits
- Prepared Salads
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- Dry Soup
- Shelf Stable Soup
- Chilled Soup
- Frozen Soup
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- Noodles
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- Chilled Pasta
- Dried Pasta
- Rice
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- Bouillon
- Gravy Cubes, Powders and Pots
- Herbs and Spices
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Tomato Pastes and Purées
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- Liquid Recipe Sauces (excl pasta sauces)
- Dry Recipe Sauces
- Pasta Sauces
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- Barbecue Sauces
- Chili Sauces
- Fish Sauces
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Oyster Sauces
- Salad Dressings
- Soy Sauces
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- Dips
- Pickled Products
- Other Sauces and Condiments
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- Nuts, Seeds and Trail Mixes
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Salty Snacks
- Savoury Biscuits
- Meat Snacks
- Seafood Snacks
- Other Savoury Snacks
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- Chocolate Spreads
- Honey
- Jams and Preserves
- Nut and Seed Based Spreads
- Yeast-based Spreads
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- Fruit Snacks
- Snack Bars
- Sweet Biscuits
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- Candle Air Fresheners
- Car Air Fresheners
- Electric Air Fresheners
- Gel Air Fresheners
- Liquid Air Fresheners
- Spray/Aerosol Air Fresheners
- Other Air Care
- Bleach
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- Automatic Dishwashing Liquids
- Automatic Dishwashing Powders
- Automatic Dishwashing Tablets
- Dishwashing Additives
- Hand Dishwashing
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- Electric Insecticides
- Insecticide Baits
- Insecticide Coils
- Spray/Aerosol Insecticides
- Other Home Insecticides
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- Carpet Cleaners
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- Dryer Sheets
- Liquid Fabric Softeners
- Laundry Aids
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- Powder Detergents
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- Compact Powder Tablet Detergents
- Liquid Tablet Detergents
- Liquid Detergents
- Other Detergents
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- Floor Polish
- Furniture Polish
- Metal Polish
- Shoe Polish
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- Cleaning Solution
- Starter Kits/Sweepers/Sticks (Excluding Wipes)
- Wipes (Excluding Starter Kits/Sweepers/Sticks)
- Bathroom Cleaners
- Descalers
- Drain Openers
- Floor Cleaners
- Home Care Disinfectants
- Kitchen Cleaners
- Multi-Purpose Cleaners
- Oven Cleaners
- Scouring Agents
- Window/Glass Cleaners
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- In-Cistern Devices
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- Rim Blocks
- Rim Liquids
- Toilet Care Tablets/Powders
- Toilet Cleaning Systems
- Toilet Liquids/Foam
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