Finished lubricant sales in Poland fell to 231,839 tons last year, a 2.3% year-on-year decline from 237,394 tons in 2023, according to the latest data from the Polish Oils Industry and Trade Association. This drop came as the country’s economy grew by 2.9%, outperforming much of the European Union, yet failing to translate into growth for the lubricant sector.

Automotive oils, which represent the lion’s share of demand, saw a 2.9% decline, with total sales amounting to 131,849 tons. The steepest drop was in passenger car engine oils, where volumes plunged by 9%. Mid- and high-viscosity grades bore the brunt of the decline, with 10W varieties down 19.3%, and 15W and 20W falling a combined 42.4% compared to the previous year.

By contrast, truck engine oil sales provided a rare bright spot, growing 4.5% year on year to 39,407 tons. This increase, while surprising amid broader transport sector troubles, is attributed to a catch-up effect from 2023. During that year, many fleet operators delayed vehicle servicing and oil changes due to falling freight demand and compressed profit margins. The rebound in maintenance activity helped drive growth across all viscosity classes, including 0W, 5W (+13.6%), 10W (+4.9%), and a combination of 15W and 20W (+0.8%).

Other automotive oil segments delivered mixed results. Gear oil sales rose by 5.8%, while those of automatic transmission fluids increased by 5.5%. On the downside, single-grade oils saw a sharp 19.9% drop, and marine engine oils declined 7.0%.

The industrial lubricants segment also shrank, with sales falling 1.6% to 99,989 tons. Most major categories recorded year-on-year decreases, including hydraulic oils (-3.2%), greases (-2.9%), and gear oils (-1.9%). Only metalworking fluids showed modest growth of 2.7%. Some smaller-volume but high-growth niche categories included insulating oils (+145.4%), anti-corrosion oils (+44.6%), and gas engine oils (+11.2%).

Looking forward, the association noted that demand may rebound in the medium term, buoyed by broader EU policy shifts. The European Commission’s renewed focus on industrial competitiveness, combined with increased defense spending across the continent, could boost activity in heavy industry, particularly in sectors requiring specialized lubricants and fluids.

Still, the Polish lubricant market faces critical challenges. Industry players have raised concerns over ongoing difficulties in meeting waste oil collection and recycling targets. There are also mounting reports of illegal waste oil burning, a problem repeatedly flagged by the association to state regulators, but which remains largely unaddressed.

As the sector grapples with structural pressures and shifting demand patterns, the coming year will be pivotal in determining whether Poland’s lubricants market can return to growth or remains stuck in a downward trend.