Water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in Poland grew in physical terms, rising from 294 thousand tons to 301 thousand tons in 2019 before stabilizing at 301 thousand tons in 2020. In value terms, the market contracted from 504 million US dollars in 2018 to 470 million US dollars in 2019, then partially recovered to 483 million US dollars in 2020.

By 2023, the decorative paints industry, which includes these products, faced an unstable macroeconomic environment, high raw material and service prices, and a slowdown in the residential construction sector. In 2024, the market registered a slight 0.6% increase in sales value despite a 3.5% drop in volume, reflecting a shift towards premium and mid-tier products as the low-end segment shrank. This transition was underpinned by growing environmental awareness and stricter regulations limiting volatile organic compound emissions, which boosted demand for water-based and eco-friendly paint technologies.

Ongoing legislative and normative actions, including new technical standards for dispersion paints and coatings and planned changes in packaging waste management, continued to shape the market. Major players like Śnieżka, Beckers, and Dulux (AkzoNobel) adapted through product innovation, with Śnieżka receiving a silver EcoVadis medal for sustainability, highlighting the increasing importance of ecological criteria in the industry.

Production water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Poland, the production value of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes reached 406.3 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 10.7% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.7% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Poland's production of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 296.1 thousand tonnes, representing a 6.4% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 5.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production volume was observed in 2018 at 270.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.5% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from Poland

Exports in kind, t

Exports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from Poland grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 69 595 tonnes, reflecting a robust 14.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 30.2%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland's export partner portfolio for water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in kind was quite broad. Hungary accounted for 16.7% of exports, Germany for 8.8%, and France for 8.5%, with these three countries together representing only 33.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Poland exported 105.5 million US dollars worth of these products, equivalent to a robust 11.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 40.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of Poland's exports in value terms was highly diversified. Hungary contributed 10.7% of export value, France 9.4%, and Russia 8.9%, with these three partners together accounting for only 28.9% of total flows. The remaining 71.1% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Poland in value, 2017-2020

Imports water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes to Poland

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Poland's imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in kind declined. In 2020, imports stood at 74 048 tonnes, marking a robust 11.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 83 591 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 31.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden remained the top suppliers of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes to Poland in kind. Germany accounted for 49.6% of imports, Denmark for 12.5%, and Sweden for 7.6%, with these three countries jointly taking 69.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, Poland's imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in value terms declined. In 2020, imports reached 181.9 million US dollars, constituting a moderate 8.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 38.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 198.2 million US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 48.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden continued to be the key partners for Poland's imports in value terms. Germany represented 47.3% of import value, Denmark 11.4%, and Sweden 9.5%, with these three countries together accounting for 68.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Poland in value, 2017-2020