Poland’s lubricant consumption rose 4.6% year on year in 2025, supported by stronger economic growth, rising automotive lubricant demand and higher industrial activity, according to the latest annual report from Polish oil industry association POPiHN.
The country’s lubricant market reached 242,448 metric tons last year, up from 231,839 tons in 2024, the report said. Poland’s gross domestic product grew by 3.6% in 2025, accelerating from 3% growth in 2024 and significantly outpacing the European Union average of 1.5%, according to preliminary estimates cited by the association.
Industrial gross value added increased 3% last year, although transport activity weakened. Poland transported 523.1 million tons of cargo in 2025, down 6.2% from the previous year, with the steepest decline recorded in road transportation.
Poland’s automotive lubricant segment totaled 139,454 tons in 2025, up 5.8% from the previous year. Passenger car motor oil sales climbed 8.5% year on year to 67,648 tons. Demand for lower-viscosity 0W and 5W grades increased 10.2%, while sales of 10W products rose 1%. Higher-viscosity 15W and 20W grades declined 15%. Heavy-duty motor oil demand rose 3.9% to 40,950 tons. Sales of lower-viscosity heavy-duty oils in the 0W and 5W categories increased 18.7%, while demand for 15W and 20 grades slipped 0.9%.
Among other automotive lubricant categories, gear oils rose 7.5% and automatic transmission fluids increased 6.4%. Demand for marine engine oils declined 5.5%, while monograde oils slipped 0.4%.
Industrial lubricant demand in Poland increased 3% year on year to 102,994 tons in 2025, compared with 99,989 tons in 2024. Hydraulic oils, one of the market’s largest industrial lubricant segments, rose 5.8%, while the broad “other industrial” category increased 5.4%. Grease sales climbed 3.7%. Some industrial categories declined, however. Metalworking fluid demand fell 5.4%, industrial gear oils dropped 2.8% and white oils slipped 2.6%. Anti-corrosion oils recorded the steepest decline, down 29.5%.
Among smaller industrial segments, turbine oils posted one of the strongest gains, rising 19.8%, while heat transfer fluids increased 13.4% and chainsaw oils climbed 7.7%.
Market Challenges
The association warned about reports of base oils and finished lubricants entering several European markets at dumping prices — concerns repeatedly raised by market participants at industry events across Europe. The products were reportedly supplied through trade routes via Egypt and Turkey, although POPiHN said there were indications they originated in Russia and represented attempts to circumvent sanctions introduced under the EU’s 16th and 17th sanctions packages.
The report also highlighted regulatory developments affecting Europe’s automotive sector.
In November 2025, the European Commission agreed to postpone implementation of the ETS2 emissions trading system until 2028. Brussels also softened its previous plan to completely ban registration of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, creating additional room for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
POPiHN said Poland’s lubricant industry continues to face challenges meeting waste oil recovery and recycling targets, although illegal burning of waste oils eased during the 2025-2026 winter due to lower energy prices. The association warned that rising heating costs and weak enforcement could again tighten waste oil supply for recyclers.
The report also said the EU shifted its climate policy in 2025 toward balancing decarbonization with industrial competitiveness through initiatives such as the “Competitiveness Compass” and Clean Industrial Deal, although implementation of recommendations from the 2024 Draghi report has remained limited.
Defense Boost
The association said that rising European defense spending could support future industrial lubricant demand. It cited the European Union’s SAFE defense financing mechanism, approved in May 2025 under the bloc’s “Readiness 2030” package.
Poland received €43.7 billion ($49.5 billion) in low-interest defense loans under the program, making it the largest beneficiary of the initiative, POPiHN said. The association noted that increased defense and heavy industry investments could translate into higher industrial lubricant demand in the coming years.