Packaging in 2025: the big picture
Across Spain in 2025, sustainability and regulation remained the dominant forces shaping packaging, with the country's plastic packaging tax and the European Union's new packaging rules pushing brands towards recycled content, lighter formats and cleaner single-material design. In food, the largest arena, recycled and renewable cartons advanced under the plastic packaging tax even as rigid plastic bottles and pots kept their grip on dairy, while fibre formats gained ground in confectionery and processed foods. Beverage players accelerated their use of recycled PET, with a new minimum recycled content rule resetting the economics of the dominant drinks bottle, and premium and returnable glass returning to the hotel, restaurant and café channel. Alcoholic drinks remain anchored in glass, shaped by Spain's wine, cava, beer and spirits heritage, while aluminium cans dominated beer. Beauty, home care and pet food continued to lead format innovation, with refillable systems, recycled content bottles, mono-material pouches and glass substitution all gaining traction.
2025 key trends
The most pervasive trend across industries in 2025 was the continued move towards recycled content and recyclable materials. Heavy glass and virgin rigid plastics were progressively supplemented by recycled PET and HDPE, paper-based cartons, mono-material pouches and refill systems. This shift was driven by regulatory mandates on recyclability and minimum recycled content, the EUR0.45-per-kilogram levy on non-recycled plastic, and growing consumer concern about environmental impact. Sustainability has become a core requirement rather than an option, with design for recyclability emerging as a decisive commercial test ahead of the PPWR's 2030 deadline. Lighter, recyclable and refillable formats increasingly defined the shelf as brands sought to lower plastic-tax exposure, simplify recovery and meet rising consumer expectations.
Recycled and renewable materials reshape a tax-shaped food packaging market
Food is Spain's largest packaging arena, and in 2025 its trajectory was set by the interplay of recycled content, fibre substitution and the plastic packaging tax. Dairy, the single biggest category, rose 1% to 15,139 million units with rigid-plastic accounting for around 70% of volumes comprising HDPE and PET bottles and thin wall pots. Paper-based containers was the fastest-growing group, up 11% to 145 million units. Lactalis scaled its Puleva milk range into Tetra Brik Aseptic cartons using ISCC PLUS-certified recycled polymers and a tethered HeliCap closure, while Central Lechera Asturiana rolled out FSC-certified, AENOR carbon-neutral cartons with sugarcane-derived plant-based caps. Across the wider food category, the plastic packaging tax shaped material choices. Confectionery, the most flexible-dependent category at 82% of volumes, declined less than 1% to 3,971 million units as cocoa-cost inflation trimmed pack sizes. Chocolates Valor adopted Sonoco's recyclable paperboard GreenCan and Nestlé replaced plastic stickers with paper across its Nestlé Dessert lines, saving around 34 tonnes of plastic a year.
Recycled-PET rules reset the dominant bottle as premium glass returns
Spain's soft drinks packaging market extended its recovery in 2025, with total retail volumes rising 4% to 13,973 million units as a warm-weather rebound lifted bottled water and carbonates. Rigid plastic, overwhelmingly PET bottles, remained the dominant format at 9,279 million units, a 66% share, and was also the fastest-growing major group, up 5% as lightweighting and rising recycled content helped contain cost. Metal beverage cans formed the second-largest format at 2,805 million units, edging up on energy and ready-to-drink demand, while liquid cartons were broadly flat and flexible packaging remained marginal. The defining development of the year was regulatory: from January 2025, all single-use PET drinks bottles of up to three litres must contain at least 25% recycled PET, rising to 30% by 2030, a rule that directly reshaped the cost base of the category's biggest format and intensified demand for scarce food-grade recycled PET. In soft drinks, glass advanced 5% to 1,286 million units on premiumisation and a renewed push for returnable bottles in foodservice: Danone relaunched its leading still-water brand Font Vella with a redesigned bottle for its 150th anniversary in April 2025, while Coca-Cola, through bottler Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Iberia, stepped up returnable glass for the hotel, restaurant and café channel. Tethered caps, required under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, became standard across PET bottles and cartons, and volumes are forecast to reach 15,679 million units by 2029 at a CAGR of 3%.
Recyclable mono-material pouches and squeezable tubes transform pet food packaging
Spain's dog and cat food packaging market grew 7% in 2025 to 1.5 billion units, driven by an expanding pet population, the humanisation trend and the continued growth of e-commerce. Pouches have long since overtaken cans and trays as the leading pack type, favoured for convenience and portion control in single-serve wet food. Squeezable plastic tubes were the most dynamic format, recording 94% unit-volume growth on the strength of their practicality for on-the-go feeding and reduced mess, with brands such as Vitakraft and Trixie leading the trend. Rigid plastic was the best-performing pack type overall, rising 24% to 19 million units from a small base.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Packaging industry in Spain 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 Spain, 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 Spain 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 Spain?
- Which are the major pack types and how are they performing in Spain?
- 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 Spain?
- Where is future growth expected to be most significant?
Packaging Industry in Spain
Packaging in 2025: the big picture
2025 key trends
Recycled and renewable materials reshape a tax-shaped food packaging market
Recycled-PET rules reset the dominant bottle as premium glass returns
Recyclable mono-material pouches and squeezable tubes transform pet food packaging
Royal Decree 1055/2022, the plastic tax and a looming deposit scheme reshape compliance
EU packaging rules and circular-economy targets drive recyclable design
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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