Packaging in 2025: the big picture
In 2025, the Polish packaging industry proved resilient and adaptable, recording growth across most major categories despite cost pressures, softer demand in a handful of mature segments and a fast-evolving regulatory landscape. Manufacturers and brand owners responded to shifting consumer preferences, EU sustainability targets and the arrival of new national legislation by investing in recyclable, lighter and recycled-content packaging. The defining event of the year was the launch of Poland's national deposit return system on 1 October 2025, which placed a refundable deposit on single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage cans and fixed a clear compliance horizon for the country's two largest beverage formats. Alongside it, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into force in February 2025, sharpening the focus on design-for-recyclability and recycled content across every category.
2025 key trends
The most prominent trend across every area of Polish packaging was the deepening focus on sustainability, now hard-wired into regulations. Companies accelerated the shift towards recyclable, reusable and recycled content materials, with increased recycled PET (rPET) in beverage bottles, mono-material designs in pet food, processed meat and beauty and personal care, and lighter recyclable plastics in food and home care. This shift was tightly bound to the PPWR, the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive and Poland's new deposit return system, as well as the enduring consumer preference for greener products.
Rigid plastic and fibre advance across a resilient, PPWR-driven food market
Poland's food packaging in 2025 was shaped by convenience, premiumisation and the obligations of PPWR. Dairy, by some distance the largest category, edged up by less than 1% to 9,114 million units, with rigid plastic, bottles, pots and tubs, accounting for 63% of volumes. Glass was the fastest-growing type, up 10% to 26 million units. Confectionery, the most flexible-dependent category in the report at 81% of volumes, declined marginally to 5,842 million units as cocoa-cost inflation trimmed pack sizes, yet rigid plastic rose 5% and folding cartons and paper twist wraps gained traction as recyclable alternatives to film. Elsewhere, processed meat and seafood grew 5% to 2,586 million units, with rigid plastic the most dynamic group, up 15% to 554 million units as thermoformed trays were substituted for film. Sweet spreads, the most glass-dependent category at 83% jars, rose 5%, while plant-based dairy expanded the fastest, up 7% to 46 million units on the strength of liquid cartons. Smaller categories echoed the same themes: processed fruit and vegetables rose 7% to 787 million units as fibre cartons gained against the can, baby food held up at 274 million units due to resilient demand for spouted-pouches despite a falling birth rate, and meals and soups grew 4% to 661 million units, led by paper-based formats. Across the category set, the migration from heavier and multi-material formats towards recyclable mono-material plastic, fibre and recycled content designs was the unifying story ahead of PPWR rules.
Rigid plastic leads as the deposit return system reshapes soft drinks packaging
Total soft drinks packaging retail volumes rose 6% in 2025 to 10,192 million units, extending the category's steady expansion due to resilient demand for bottled water, carbonates and functional drinks. Rigid plastic, largely comprising PET bottles, remained dominant at 7,457 million units, close to three-quarters of the total, supported by lightweighting and rising recycled content. Metal beverage cans were the strongest-growing major format, up 6% to 1,317 million units on energy drinks and ready-to-drink lines. Paper-based containers posted the fastest percentage gain, up 16% from a small base, and liquid cartons declined 8% to 512 million units.
Pouches lead pet food as mono-material innovation drives recyclability
In dog and cat food, total packaging retail volumes rose 2% in 2025 to 1.7 billion units, driven by growing pet owner awareness of nutrition and product quality. Aluminium and plastic pouches remained the leading pack type, valued for convenience, portion control, vibrant branding and cost efficiency, with leading brands such as Purina and Whiskas widely using pouches for wet cat food. Metal cans retained a strong presence in wet and multi-serve formats, used by brands including Brit Premium by Nature and Josera, while PET jars were the fastest-growing format, prized for their premium transparency, lightweight durability, resealable design and full recyclability.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Packaging industry in Poland 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 Poland, 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 Poland 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 Poland?
- Which are the major pack types and how are they performing in Poland?
- 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 Poland?
- Where is future growth expected to be most significant?
Packaging Industry in Poland
Packaging in 2025: the big picture
2025 key trends
Rigid plastic and fibre advance across a resilient, PPWR-driven food market
Rigid plastic leads as the deposit return system reshapes soft drinks packaging
Pouches lead pet food as mono-material innovation drives recyclability
Poland launches a national deposit return system for beverage packaging
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation sets the recyclability agenda
Poland overhauls extended producer responsibility with a new packaging act
Mono-material trays and recycled PET advance recyclability in the protein aisle
Fibre and mono-material formats gain across confectionery and pet food
Recycled content investment and rising collection targets underpin the circular shift
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
- Cider/Perry
- RTDs
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- Brandy and Cognac
- Liqueurs
- Rum
- Tequila (and Mezcal)
- Whiskies
- White Spirits
- Other Spirits
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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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This report originates from Passport, our Packaging research and analysis database.
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